Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal in the World'

In an era where numerous live service games have transitioned to a free-to-play model, Minecraft remains steadfastly a premium experience. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang, the game's developer, reiterated its commitment to the traditional "buy and own" approach, even 16 years after its initial release. So, if you're hoping for Minecraft to shift to a free-to-play format, don't hold your breath.

"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," explained Ingela Garneij, the executive producer of Minecraft Vanilla. "I mean, we built the game for a different purpose. So monetization doesn't work in that way for us. It's a purchase of the game and then that's it. For us, it's important that our game is available for as many people as possible. And so I think that's a very core value that it should be accessible for everyone. It's the best deal in the world."

As the gaming industry has evolved, many titles have embraced the free-to-download model, often supplemented by battle passes and cosmetic packs. This shift has yielded varied outcomes, with examples like Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Microsoft's own Halo Infinite (particularly its multiplayer component) making the transition. Despite the industry's push towards new monetization strategies to ensure sustainability, Mojang seems immune to these pressures.

"No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still, and that's going strong still," Garneij emphasized, highlighting the team's focus on accessibility rather than additional revenue streams.

Agnes Larsson, game director of Minecraft Vanilla, further elaborated on this stance: "I mean, for me, it's part of the important values of Minecraft. I think it's become such an important thing of what Minecraft is and the perfect culture and values, and I think we all here can agree on that. It's a thing for the game and it's one part of what makes the game strong. It has strong values."

Minecraft Vibrant Visuals Comparison Screenshots

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Minecraft will continue to evolve without charging players for new features, as demonstrated by the upcoming Vibrant Visuals graphics update, which will be available free of charge in the coming months. With no plans for a Minecraft 2 in sight, there's no need for fans to repurchase the best-selling game of all time. However, if you're looking to play it on a different device, you might need to make an additional purchase, given the game's widespread availability across various platforms.

For more details on future updates, be sure to check out everything announced at Minecraft Live 2025.