In an era where many live service games have transitioned to a free-to-play model, Minecraft continues to stand firm as a premium experience. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang's developers reiterated their commitment to the "buy and own" approach, even 16 years after the game's initial release. Don't expect Minecraft to shift to a free-to-play model anytime soon.
"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," explained Ingela Garneij, executive producer of Minecraft Vanilla. "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, numerous titles have adopted a free-to-download model, often accompanied by battle passes and cosmetic packs, with varying degrees of success. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite, particularly in its multiplayer mode.
Despite the industry's shift, Mojang remains steadfast in its approach. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still and that's going on strong still," Garneij emphasized, indicating that the pressure to find new monetization methods is not a concern for the team.
Agnes Larsson, game director of Minecraft Vanilla, further elaborated on this stance: "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 requiring players to spend additional money on new features. This commitment is evident in the upcoming Vibrant Visuals graphics overhaul, set to be released free of charge in the coming months. With no plans for a Minecraft 2 in sight, there's no need to repurchase the best-selling game of all time. However, if you wish to play it on one of the many devices it's available on, you might need to buy it again.
For more details on what's coming to the game, check out everything announced at Minecraft Live 2025.
