Strong foundations
Microsoft figures show crafting adventure Minecraft still continues to pull in millions of new players with each passing year. According to the publisher, some 20 million new players have lifted the pick-axe since October 2018, resulting in a grand total of around 112 million monthly players across all formats.
Speaking with Business Insider, Minecraft studio head Helen Chiang noted that part of Minecraft’s appeal is its durability in the face of other video games. “What we find is that it’s a game that players keep coming back to,” said Chiang. “It may not always be the one that’s in the forefront, because there are a lot of great games that continue to come out, but it’s one that they love to return to.”
Officially launching in 2011, Minecraft was eventually purchased by Microsoft in 2014 for a staggering $2.4 billion, guaranteeing the future of the brand for generations. Since then, Minecraft’s cultural and global dominance has continued with each passing year. Having been ported to multiple platforms, received several spin-off games, and been regularly referenced by the mass media, Minecraft continues to build upon its legacy, cementing its status as one of the biggest video game releases of all time, if not the biggest.
Minecraft now has over 112 million players [Business Insider]
