Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal Globally'

In an era where many live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft steadfastly remains a premium experience. During a recent interview with IGN, developer Mojang reiterated their commitment to the "buy and own the game" approach, even 16 years after its initial release. So, if you're hoping for Minecraft to become free-to-play, you might want to temper those expectations.

"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," explained Ingela Garneij, 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, numerous titles have transitioned to free-to-download formats, often supplemented by battle passes and cosmetic packs, yielding varied results. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite (particularly its multiplayer component).

While the pressure to innovate monetization strategies is intense for many developers and publishers, 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," said Garneij, indicating Mojang's focus remains on accessibility and enjoyment rather than additional revenue streams.

Agnes Larsson, game director of Minecraft Vanilla, echoed this sentiment: "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's commitment to its premium model means that future updates, like the upcoming Vibrant Visuals graphics overhaul, will continue to be free. With no plans for a Minecraft 2, players won't need to repurchase the game unless they want to experience it on one of the many new devices it supports.

For more details on what's coming to Minecraft, be sure to check out everything announced at Minecraft Live 2025.