If Minecraft already holds the top spot on the list of best-selling video games in history, its success continues to grow. This weekend, Minecraft Live 2023 (formerly known as Minecon) took place, where Mojang Studios showcased the upcoming features of the game.
In addition to discussing what elements will be included in the next major update (including an armadillo), Microsoft-owned studio has also revealed that the block-building game has sold an astounding 300 million copies worldwide.
“Minecraft continues to be one of the best-selling games of all time, with over 300 million copies sold, a milestone that no one could have dreamed of when we all placed our first blocks,” said Helen Chiang, Head of Mojang, in a statement reported by The Verge.
An unprecedented success
Minecraft is a game that originated in 2009 as a personal project by Markus Persson, better known as Notch, a Swedish programmer who drew inspiration from other games like Infiniminer and Dwarf Fortress. In this goalless sandbox, players can explore, build, and survive in a randomly generated world, creating all sorts of structures and objects using the resources they find.
The game was well-received even in its early alpha and beta versions, quickly becoming a viral phenomenon through word of mouth and social media. Since its official release in 2011, Minecraft has received numerous updates introducing new content and improvements. Additionally, Minecraft has expanded to other platforms, including mobile devices, consoles, and VR, significantly boosting its popularity and accessibility.
Minecraft has made a significant cultural and media impact, being the subject of numerous analyses, critiques, parodies, and tributes. The game has received several awards and accolades for its innovation and quality, and it has been featured in books, movies, and television series. Moreover, it has inspired other similar or derivative games that have achieved great success, such as Terraria and Roblox.
