Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal Globally'

In a time where many live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft remains steadfastly a premium experience. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang's developer team expressed their commitment to maintaining the "buy and own the game" approach, even 16 years after its launch. So, if you're holding out for Minecraft to become free-to-play, you might want to adjust your expectations.

“Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," said Ingela Garneij, the 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 about purchasing the game, and that's it. For us, it's crucial that our game is accessible to as many people as possible. It's a core value that it should be available to everyone. It's the best deal in the world."

As the gaming industry has evolved, many titles have transitioned to a free-to-download model, often accompanied by battle passes and cosmetic packs. This approach has seen mixed results, with examples like Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and even Minecraft's Microsoft sibling, Halo Infinite (specifically its multiplayer component).

While the pressure to find new monetization methods is intense for many video game publishers and developers, Mojang seems immune to these pressures. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can still enjoy it, and that's going strong," Garneij stated.

Minecraft Vanilla's game director, Agnes Larsson, further elaborated on this sentiment: "For me, it's part of the core values of Minecraft. It's become an integral part of what Minecraft represents, its culture, and its values. We all here can agree on that. It's a fundamental aspect of the game and contributes to its strength. It holds strong values."

Minecraft Vibrant Visuals Comparison Screenshots

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Minecraft will continue to evolve, offering new features without additional costs to players. This approach is highlighted by the upcoming Vibrant Visuals graphics update, which will be available for free in the coming months. With no plans for a Minecraft 2 on the horizon, there's no need to repurchase the best-selling game anytime soon, unless you want to play it on one of the many devices it supports.

Be sure to check out everything announced at Minecraft Live 2025 for more details on what's coming to the game.