Minecraft Stays Premium: 'Best Deal in the World'

In a time when numerous live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft remains steadfast in its premium pricing. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang's developer team confirmed their commitment to the "buy and own" model, even 16 years post-launch. Don't hold your breath for a free-to-play version of Minecraft anytime soon.

"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," stated 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, many titles have transitioned to free-to-download formats, often supplemented by battle passes and cosmetic packs. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite (specifically its multiplayer). While the pressure to find new monetization strategies is real 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," Garneij emphasized.

Agnes Larsson, game director of Minecraft Vanilla, further elaborated on this philosophy: "For me, it's part of the important values of Minecraft. It's become such an integral part of what Minecraft is and its 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 development will continue to evolve without requiring players to pay for new features. This commitment is highlighted by 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. Unless, of course, you wish to enjoy it on one of the myriad devices it's available on today.

For a deeper dive into what's on the horizon for Minecraft, be sure to check out everything announced at Minecraft Live 2025.