In an era where numerous live service games have shifted to a free-to-play model, Minecraft steadfastly maintains its premium status. In a recent interview with IGN, Mojang, the game's developer, reaffirmed its commitment to the "buy and own" approach, even 16 years after the game's initial release. Don't hold your breath for Minecraft to become free-to-play anytime soon.

“Yeah, it doesn't really work with the way we built it," said 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 free-to-download formats, often supplemented by battle passes and cosmetic packs, with varied success. Notable examples include Overwatch 2, Destiny 2, and Minecraft's fellow Microsoft title, Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode.

While the pressure to explore new monetization methods is palpable for many game developers and publishers, Mojang seems immune to these pressures. "No, no. What's important for us is that many people can enjoy it still and that's going on strong still," Garneij stated confidently.

Agnes Larsson, game director of Minecraft Vanilla, further emphasized 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 arrive free of charge in the coming months. With no plans for a Minecraft 2, there's no need to repurchase the best-selling game of all time anytime soon—unless you wish to play it on another of the myriad devices it's available on.

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