Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal in the World'

In an era where numerous live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft continues to stand firm as a premium purchase. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang's developers reaffirmed their commitment to the traditional "buy and own" approach, even 16 years after the game's launch. So, if you're hoping for Minecraft to become free-to-play anytime soon, you might want to adjust your expectations.

"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 transitioned to free-to-download models, often supplemented with battle passes and cosmetic packs. This shift has had varied outcomes, seen in games like Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and even Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite (specifically its multiplayer component).

Despite the industry's push for new monetization strategies, Mojang seems immune to this pressure. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still and that's going strong still," Garneij stated, emphasizing their focus on accessibility over 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 requiring players to spend extra for new features. This commitment is showcased 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 on the horizon, there's no need to repurchase the best-selling game anytime soon—unless you're looking to enjoy it on one of the numerous devices it's available on.

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