Can both my boys have a user on minecraft PC.

My son got MineCraft PC for his birthday. The account is under my e-mail and he has a name in the game (my terminology may be off as i do not play the game). My other son would also like to play MineCraft, but have his own name (character???). Can that be done? It doesn't seem logical that I'd have to download 2 Minecraft games. Please let me know how this works.

Really depends on your use case.

You only need one copy of the actual game installed if they are taking turns playing.

If you want them to play multiplayer, you will need to purchase two accounts, one for each kid. This also allows them to easily have their own name and "skin" in game.

However, if they just want their own names, you can create two shortcuts to the game, one for each kid. Then just give a different name for each shortcut. See this question on creating the shortcuts.

You don't have to download Minecraft twice, but you do have to buy a second account if you want them to have separate accounts. They'll be able to play on the same copy of Minecraft with their own accounts, or they can play on different computers at the same time (even together, in multiplayer).

On the other hand, they could just play on the same account. They will have to take turns using the account as one account can't log in on different computers at the same time, and they won't be able to have different names or characters.

If, like you said, they want there own name then you will definitely have to buy a second account (or game) to have legitimate different names. There is no need to completely re download the game, as there is a login setting when the game is opened, allowing them to simply enter in their information when it is their turn.

There is only one benefit of really doing this:

• If you have multiple computers, both of them are able to play together through minecraft built in LAN service or play on the same multiplayer servers together. Plus they get their own names.

Other than that, it isn't really necessary. If you don't have another computer for them to use, then one account is all they need. They can create their own world and play on multiplayer server under the same character.