Is MineAcademy / Project Orion Worth Buying?

I tried the "Project Orion" from MineAcademy and this is what happened:

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Miroslava Cekanova

updated: 01/01/2025

MineAcademy.org, an education platform for Java and Minecraft plugins, has been set up by Matej Pacan with the intention to help people learn to code by playing Minecraft. 

It is important to mention that the founder is not an old teacher following the theory, but a young 27-year who’s coded plugins since 2013. MineAcademy has 3 Java courses to teach people at various stages of their coding journey. 

I tried a course at Udemy before MineAcademy but found the content quite lacking and was looking for a more systematic way of learning. so I tried MineAcademy and wanted to share my experience here.

 

MineAcademy Review: How is it different?

I tried the other course from Udemy but lost motivation quickly. The videos were made in a rush and explanations did not always make sense, as I was a complete beginner. 

A few months later I noticed MineAcademy ad while browsing BuiltByBit. I decided to take the plunge and joined.

You will learn coding by actually playing Minecraft instead of spending months on learning code by studying abstract concepts.

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Inside The 3 MineAcademy Trainings

The courses by MineAcademy are made for everybody, even if you are a complete beginner, a woman, or even if you are not familiar with Minecraft. 

Being skeptical about your ability to learn Java, take into consideration the fact that the teacher of the courses uses the same method he had used while learning himself. 

Where is he now? He is actually a successful young man leading a famous Java programming company MineAcademy with thousands of satisfied students from all around the world, even, he is known as a famous author of plugins. 

 Matej Pacan is the author of the three Java programming trainings. The training programs are divided into the weeks and lessons. At each lesson, you must always watch a detailed and preciously prepared video. Access to program sources is included.

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Courses are split into shorter parts and you can track progress for each one, such as Beyond Minecraft (Discord, Bungee), Minigames, Sales Module, Network Growth module.

#1 — Java Masterclass

This is the first introductory training for people who’ve never coded anything before, it contains standalone Java lessons without depending on Minecraft so you can use it alongside your university studies or to increase your Java experience overall. 

Starting this course, the lesson called Behind the curtains of Java explains how Java programs work and the core parts the training is focused on. Basically, a little bit of theory that you should be familiar with before starting the course itself in order to understand the advantage of the course and how it works in a practical life. 

Why should you learn Java?

  • Java is the most in-demand language for many years
  • Java is used by companies such as Google or GitHub
  • Al/data analytics, cryptocurrencies and blockchain – they all use existing technologies including Java
  • Kotlin, an ultra-modern programming language invented by JetBrains, the company behind most peoples’ favorite IDE IntelliJ is built on Java

 

What I enjoyed in this course is that it has no expectations of you and shows you everything step by step, from the smallest steps such as computer setup, installing Java to beginner coding and syntax explanations for beginners.

I could not find the price of this training because I received it free of charge when I purchased Project Orion.

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Skool is their private community (they also have private chats on Discord). It works like Facebook groups but without having to connect your account, you can use nicknames and not having to share your personal information. There's new posts almost every day.

#2 — Project Orion

This is the core Minecraft training on writing your own Minecraft plugins.

Focusing on understanding WHY things work, and using best-practices to write clean code, not just giving you a ready-made template like everyone else, you will learn how to code Minecraft plugins from a complete beginner to advanced systems such as minigames or packets.  

If you enroll in Project Orion, you will get Java Masterclass access for free. MineAcademy achieves success through the Project Orion by the following main pillars:

  • Understand Spigot/Paper API
  • Build high quality networks from scratch without months of setup
  • Sell your plugin ideas and get high-paid jobs

 

The overview of this course divided by weeks:

  • Week 1: Becoming self-reliant
  • Week 2: Mastering plugin making
  • Week 3: The projects vault
  • Week 4: Advanced plugins
  • Week 5: Connecting with the author world
  • Week 6: Minigames

 

You will actually implement what you have learnt into real life in the same lesson, become self-reliant in Java programming, as well save money on hiring expensive developers or purchasing endless premium plugins thanks to Project Orion.

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The programs are frequently updated, and contain downloadable sources and resources below each lesson. You get lifetime access so there are no annual upgrade fees. (There's also a discussion below each lesson you can't see in this picture.)

NMS Advanced

This is the “final” training for people who already know Minecraft plugin making and want to take their skills to the next level.

It’s an 8-weeks training based on big network knowledge for custom systems bypassing API limitations divided again into the weeks. Each week you are presented with at least one different topic and provided by the relevant sources, as in other training sessions. 

You will be explained:

  • How to decipher packets and intercept any and all mechanisms the game has to offer insanely amazing features (without having to pay top dollar for big network developers). 
  • How multistep menu systems are made (including GUI animations) and how you can design a clean and user-friendly UI within a few hours using Foundation’s menu system you’ll love.
  • How to create animated scenes and sequences like on Hypixel or other big networks using simple, reusable blocks of code, and inject them into any minigame or part of your plugin.
Worksheets
In addition to coding, you'll be handed printable worksheets (or can do it online). They range from coding-related guides to psychology training helping you focus.

What you’ll get out of MineAcademy

What’s cool about MineAcademy above other training platforms is the direct support from their instructor, live calls where you can get your code reviewed, and the fact that there are no upgrade or annual fees, you’ll get a lifetime access.

  • Q&A calls: weekly live calls are the key parts of the course itself. It solves any doubts and problems that may come after each lesson. These are live calls with Matej himself providing you with help. You can also watch the recordings of the calls in case you can’t attend the live version.
  • Lifetime access to the training and updates
  • All the content and resources are unlocked for you
  • Private Discord chats and and Skool group

To sum up, the above-mentioned benefits confirm the attitude of MineAcademy towards its students. 

If you stick with it and not give up after a few lessons, you can expect the complete support from Matej Pacan every step along the way. 

When I entered the program, I decided to skip some of the training videos. I attended the Q&A calls, but again with a mistake – trying to show not having the problems and not asking for help. 

Matej is such a helpful teacher that he noticed all my mistakes and he did not let it go. I have never met such a teacher caring about his students in the way Matej does. Respect for such a teacher!

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Live calls happen every week. You can share your screen and talk with the instructor directly, or chat if you don't have a microphone. You'll get about 10-30 minutes' time which is enough for most questions - I haven't seen that level of support anywhere else.

So how has MineAcademy changed my life?

I joined the training in order to create my own plugins. After Matej’s motivation and support, I desired to move my goal a little further. After finishing Project Orion, I started to code my own library, attending Q&A calls where all the problems were solved fast. I became a self-reliant coder. I was so excited by this Academy, that a little bit after finishing the course, I started to cooperate with Matej.

Nowadays, it has been approximately half a year that we have been working together and this is finally the job that I appreciate the most. I work with a person with a good will helping other people to gain their dreams. And this is the exact reason why I have decided to share this part of my life with all of you. Forget about the schools whose aim is to immediately earn a lot of money.  

In short, yes, MineAcademy is worth buying if you are serious about creating your own Minecraft plugins and building customized servers. Learning will take longer than advertised, but the results are worth it. And their live coaching calls make it basically a no-brainer.

Do you desire to create your own plugin? Do you desire to learn the basics of the Java programming language? Do you dream to be a professional Java coder? 

Simply said, if you trust yourself and Matej’s previous experience, cooperate and do your best, MineAcademy with its leader, Matej, will help you to turn your dreams into reality.

-Miroslava

Learn More About Project Orion

Disclaimer

#1 — I’m sharing my experience with MineAcademy.org, however that doesn’t mean your results will be the same. Results are not typical: I, nor Matej can guarantee any type of specific results.

#2 — I took the risk and got the course Project Orion which included Java Masterclass. I haven’t been compensated any amount for this review and I’m not placing any affiliate links here. Please do your own due diligence. If you’re serious about changing your life and you’re ready to put in the work, I highly advise to check out MineAcademy – it certainly changed mine.