Chapter one takes its beginning in a familiar environment, the home, which surrounds the private sphere. In groups, students move through an apartment complex, which has been transformed into a Minecraft tutorial. This tutorial is designed to prepare students to move around in Minecraft, interact with the user interface, build with, and remove blocks.

In the final stage of the tutorial, each group must collaborate in designing and placing various small structures. This small assignment is a practice ground for the upcoming assignments, that become more complex as they progress.

In their planning, students must show that they can utilize a new area – the roof, to create a common space for the residents. The roof is to be made multifunctional and serve a variety of interests. Students must come up with ideas that demonstrate an optimal use of the space. Their small constructions must show that they have an eye for the interests of the community before those of individual groups.

Before going in game, students must be equipped with a background knowledge and understanding of the context they are building in, and why. In preparation, students investigate the concept of urbanization, to gain insight into the necessity of building multifunctional facilities on a roof.