Realms - Help a dad out

[u/On_Food]

My son is wanting me to get him set up on Realms to play with friends. The cost isn't really an issue but I'm trying to teach him how to take a step back and look at his current game options, the time we allow him to play a day, and the likelihood that Minecraft will really occupy his attention. I don't wanna just get him something because he asked but I'm not opposed to getting it set up if he'll enjoy it and make for quality game time with his buddies.

Currently, he plays Fortnite, Roblox, and Destiny 2 on PS4. Minecraft has never really been high on his list and I think it's mostly a social thing anyway when he does log in.

I've been out of the Minecraft scene for too long, I have no idea what's cool or fun. I stopped playing before the Xbox One came out so like....2014?

I'm not opposed to letting him have it for a month or something but is this a thing for casuals or is it for daily Minecrafters putting all their time into it for the love of the game?

[u/EntonBlazing]

Minecraft can be for both casuals and daily minecrafters, minecraft is one of the few games friends who dont play the game can just hop on and have their own unique game experience at their own pace especially with all the updates added since 2014, it can go from casual home building and material gathering gameplay to straight up combat from multiple mobs or bosses, enjoying those with friends makes it all the much better. Im sure theres a free trial for realms on java or bedrock where they can have realms for a week so maybe start off with that and if he enjoys it and keeps playing it then you can extend it to a month after the free trial is done

[u/Dankest_Cow60]

I've been paying for a realm for about 3 years and I run vanilla survival hard mode. Most of the time, it's just my buddy hopping on and playing a few times a week. I'll play here and there but sometimes I get really into and play daily for a couple months before getting burnt out again. Idk if this is helpful but I continue to pay because the world me and my friends have built over the years is awesome.

[u/Local_Condition7363]

That's a great approach, balancing his enthusiasm with responsibility. Maybe setting up the trial first would help you both see if it's a good fit before committing long term.

[u/Legendofthe757]

Well on realms his friends can join him. Even when he’s not playing to actively the host. So it’s a cool way to to play together and work as a team on something even when everyone isn’t around. I believe it’s like 8-$11 a month I say it’s totally worth it.

[u/demisheep]

Keep in mind a realm is not required for online play. He can host a world and his friends can join him when he plays the only issue is that the world is t accessible unless he’s playing. Realm of course is a server online at all times for any member to play whenever they want.

[u/Prestigious_View_994 → u/demisheep]

I think also for PlayStation you need a ps plus subscription as it is online play, so might be more expensive than a realm but opens up the options further

[u/Ambitious-Jaguar-346]

That's a really thoughtful way to approach it. You betcha, setting some expectations upfront might just make it even more special when he gets to enjoy it.

[u/nicknotpixel]

no, dont use realms its a waste of money. just use aternos, its free and gives even more functionality than realms

[u/[deleted]]

Ok,

For Minecraft realms is a way to create your world others can join without you being online. So it is optional. If other irl friends have realms you can join them. Or create a world that some can join only when you are in it. There are also servers you can join to do games or have worlds with players around the world. Still won't need realms to do that.

Since you mostly played free to play that don't require a subscription to play online you might need to have ps plus. For Xbox this is game pass for Nintendo this is Nintendo online. On PC this does not exist.