It is probably a true statement that at this point, Minecraft as a video game exists in a class of cultural relevance by itself, seeing as the game has sold approximately five hojillion copies (the actual number is somewhere between 4.5 and 6.7 hojillion) and has a footprint far outstripping basically anything else. But it seems that the game’s original creator, Markus “Notch” Persson, wants to take on his own creation that he no longer owns. A post on Twitter confirms as much by effectively announcing Minecraft 2.
“I basically announced minecraft 2,” he tweeted. “I thought that maybe people ACTUALLY do want me to make another game that’s super similar to the first one, and I’m loving working on games again. I don’t super duper care exactly which game I make first (or even if I make more), but I do know I’m making one, so I figured I’d absolutely be willing to give it an honest shot in the form of a spiritual successor to minecraft and put up a poll about it.”
It’s not entirely new-news as he’s been teasing his work on unnamed titles for many years now, though this is the first time we can recall that he actually stamped the words “Minecraft 2” on those teases.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Persson cannot really call it Minecraft 2 since he sold the game and his studio to Microsoft back in 2014. It’s probably also worth noting that Persson’s internet persona has included hateful commentary and conspiracy-mongering, to the point that Microsoft has distanced itself from him over the decade that it has owned the property. It may even be worth noting that he’s got a few snide asides for Microsoft in the announcement.
“I also intend to do this in a way that in no way tried to sneakily infringe on the incredible work the Mojang team is doing and that Microsoft is successfully doing the microsoft shittification about. And I respect them for doing that. It’s their job. And they, from what I understand, let the studio do things their way, which seems very fair to me.”
Par for the course. Fun fact to leave you on: MMO fans will also remember Notch as one of the co-creators of Wurm Online back in the aughts.
I basically announced minecraft 2.
I thought that maybe people ACTUALLY do want me to make another game that's super similar to the first one, and I'm loving working on games again.
I don't super duper care exactly which game I make first (or even if I make more), but I do know…
— notch (@notch) January 3, 2025
