Minecraft Stays Paid: 'Best Deal Globally'

In an era where many live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft remains steadfast in its premium pricing strategy. During a recent interview with IGN, Mojang's developers emphasized their commitment to the "buy and own" approach, 16 years after the game's initial release. Don't expect Minecraft to transition to free-to-play 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, numerous titles have adopted a free-to-download model, often supplemented by battle passes and cosmetic packs, with varying degrees of success. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode, all of which are part of Microsoft's portfolio alongside Minecraft.

Despite the industry's shift, Mojang remains unaffected by the pressure to find new monetization strategies. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still and that's going on strong still," Garneij affirmed.

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

Minecraft Vibrant Visuals Comparison Screenshots

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Minecraft will continue to evolve, introducing new features without additional costs to players. This is demonstrated by the upcoming Vibrant Visuals graphics update, set to arrive free of charge in the coming months. With no plans for a Minecraft 2 in sight, there's no need for players to repurchase the best-selling game unless they wish to play it on another of the myriad devices it supports.

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