I mean it this way (and the way I worded my comment was really poor, and the miscommunication is completely my fault!): Minecraft allows for very creative outcomes, but it isn't a very efficient tool for developing something complicated. Is it possible to create a more efficient tool that is equally engaging?
But wouldn't it allow the kid to be more imaginative? Instead of building a calculator inside of a game, perhaps he could make his own game? Instead of building something that's already defined, wouldn't he have more opportunities to be creative?