Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal Ever'

In a landscape where numerous live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft continues to stand firm as a premium experience. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang, the game's developer, emphasized their commitment to maintaining the "buy and own" approach, even 16 years after the game's initial release. So, if you're hoping for Minecraft to transition to a free-to-play model, you might want to temper those expectations.

"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," stated 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 adopted the free-to-download model, often incorporating battle passes and cosmetic packs, yielding varied outcomes. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite (specifically its multiplayer component).

Despite the industry's pressure to explore new monetization strategies, Mojang seems unphased. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still, and that's going strong still," Garneij assured.

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 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 anytime soon—unless, of course, you wish to experience it on one of the myriad devices it's available on today.

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