Mojang Confirms Minecraft Will Never Go Free-to-Play

It’s not uncommon to see live-service games that initially launched as paid titles suddenly shift to a free-to-play model as they age. This model change is often seen as an effective strategy to revitalise the player base and keep the community engaged — both of which are crucial for a game’s longevity. However, this will not be the case for Minecraft.

In an interview with IGN, Mojang has officially confirmed that despite Minecraft celebrating its 16th anniversary, the studio has no intention of transitioning the live-service title into a free-to-play game. According to executive producer Ingela Garneij, the game was designed with a completely different approach.

“So monetisation 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,” said Garneij.

The team’s philosophy is simple: once a player has purchased Minecraft, they own it forever. Mojang considers this a fair and valuable deal, ensuring that players get long-term enjoyment without the need for microtransactions or in-game purchases often found in free-to-play titles, which can negatively impact the experience.

As a studio under the Microsoft banner, Mojang has continued to expand Minecraft over the years, frequently introducing new content and features. One of the latest updates, Vibrant Visuals, allows players to toggle between Minecraft’s classic graphics and a newer, updated visual style, adding another layer to a game that has plenty to offer in all sorts of ways.

Even after more than a decade since its debut, Minecraft remains the best-selling video game ever. With over 300 million copies sold across multiple platforms worldwide, its success shows no signs of slowing down, and the way you can get to play it remains the same.