In an era where numerous live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft remains steadfastly a premium product. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang, the developer behind this iconic game, reaffirmed its commitment to the traditional "buy and own" approach, even after 16 years since its launch. So, if you're hoping for Minecraft to become free-to-play, you might want to adjust your expectations.

"Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," explained Ingela Garneij, 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 a free-to-download model, often relying on battle passes and cosmetic packs for revenue. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and even Minecraft's Microsoft counterpart, Halo Infinite, particularly with its multiplayer component. Despite these trends, Mojang seems immune to the pressures of finding alternative monetization methods to survive. "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 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 charging players for new features, as demonstrated 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 for fans to repurchase the best-selling game anytime soon, unless they wish to experience it on one of the many 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.