Minecraft Indev & Infdev (2009-2010) – The Evolution of Survival Mode

After Minecraft Classic, the game evolved through Indev (In Development) and Infdev (Infinite Development). These versions introduced survival mechanics, crafting, infinite worlds, and set the foundation for the Minecraft we know today.

Minecraft Indev (December 2009 – February 2010)

Key Additions: Survival Mode Begins

Minecraft Indev (short for “In Development”) was the first version with a real survival mode. It introduced:

  1. Crafting System
    • The first crafting table was added.
    • Players could now craft tools, weapons, and armor.
  2. Health & Hunger
    • Players could take damage from falls, fire, and drowning.
    • Food was introduced (mushroom stew was the first food item).
    • There was an early hunger bar (removed in later versions but later reintroduced in Beta 1.8).
  3. Mobs Added
    • Zombies, skeletons, spiders, and creepers were introduced.
    • Pigs became the first passive mob (they dropped cooked pork when killed).
  4. Lighting & Torches
    • Dynamic lighting was introduced—torches finally produced light.
  5. World Customization
    • Players could choose from different world themes, like:
      • Normal – Grass and dirt landscape.
      • Floating Islands – A sky-world style.
      • Hell – Lava-filled terrain.
  6. First Player Inventory
    • Players could now store and carry items with a proper inventory system.

Problems in Indev

  • Worlds were still limited in size (not infinite).
  • No beds, so players had to survive entire nights.

Minecraft Infdev (February – June 2010)

Infinite Worlds Arrive

Infdev (Infinite Development) was a major step forward. It replaced Indev and introduced procedurally generated infinite worlds, making Minecraft’s exploration feel limitless.

Key Features of Infdev

  1. Infinite World Generation
    • Worlds no longer had borders—you could walk forever!
    • Introduced natural terrain generation (hills, lakes, caves).
  2. New Blocks & Items
    • Ladders were added (helpful for climbing).
    • Bricks became a craftable block.
    • Golden apples made their first appearance.
  3. First Structures
    • World generation improved, with caves, beaches, and better biome transitions.
  4. Better Survival Mechanics
    • Players had to gather resources, craft tools, and survive against mobs.
    • The game became more challenging.

Problems in Infdev

  • Still no official multiplayer mode.
  • No Nether, biomes, or advanced crafting yet.

The Legacy of Indev & Infde

  • Indev introduced crafting, survival, and mobs—making Minecraft feel like a real game.
  • Infdev gave Minecraft infinite worlds, creating the exploration-based sandbox we love today.

These updates paved the way for Minecraft Alpha (June 2010), which introduced biomes, doors, minecarts, and multiplayer!

We strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but we are only human, and mistakes can happen. If you notice anything that could be improved, feel free to share your thoughts.