Minecraft, a sandbox video game created by Markus "Notch" Persson, was initially released in 2009 and officially launched in 2011. Developed by Mojang Studios, it's become the highest-selling video game globally, surpassing 300 million copies sold with almost 140 million active monthly users in 2023. Initially written in Java, Minecraft has expanded to various platforms like PC, mobile, and consoles. Jens "Jeb" Bergensten assumed development lead after Persson's departure.
March 2009: Notch Leaves King and Joins jAlbum
Markus "Notch" Persson left his job at King and joined jAlbum in March 2009, while continuing to work on his personal game prototypes.
April 2009: Inspiration from Infiniminer
In April 2009, Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, drew inspiration from a game called Infiniminer. Infiniminer's block-based gameplay and visual style, including its first-person perspective, significantly influenced Minecraft's early development.
May 2009: Minecraft First Public Release
After some private testing, Minecraft was first made public in May 2009.
May 2009: Minecraft's Inception
The initial development of Minecraft, known then as the Java Edition, began in May 2009. Persson completed a basic version of the game over a single weekend, released a test video on YouTube, and launched a private test on TigIRC on May 16th, 2009. The public release followed shortly after on May 17th, 2009, on the TIGSource forums.
2009: Minecraft's Inception
Minecraft, the game that would later reach a trillion views on YouTube, was created in 2009.
June 2010: Alpha Release and Mojang's Formation
On June 30th, 2010, Minecraft's Alpha version was released, marking a significant step in the game's development. As sales of the Alpha version grew, Persson left his day job to focus on Minecraft full-time. He also established Mojang, a video game company, to support the game's development.
July 2010: PC Gamer Recognition
In July 2010, PC Gamer listed Minecraft as the fourth-best game to play at work.
September 2010: Penny Arcade's Series on Minecraft
On September 17, 2010, Penny Arcade began a series of comics and news posts highlighting the addictiveness of Minecraft, contributing to its growing popularity.
December 2010: Entering Beta
In December 2010, Persson announced that Minecraft would enter its beta testing phase on December 20th, 2010. During this period, Mojang continued to refine the game and address bugs, while also expanding its team to support the game's growth.
2010: Custom Minecraft Skins Become Available
In 2010, the option to create and use custom character skins in Minecraft was made available to players.
2010: Early Development Phases
Throughout 2010, Minecraft underwent several developmental stages, including Survival Test, Indev, and Infdev. These phases saw the introduction of core gameplay mechanics and features that would shape the game's future.
2010: Rise of Minecraft Videos on YouTube
Minecraft-related videos began gaining popularity on YouTube in 2010, contributing to the game's popularity.
2010: Rise of Minecraft "Clones"
Following Minecraft's popularity surge in 2010, several games emerged with noticeable similarities, sometimes referred to as "clones." These games drew inspiration from Minecraft's mechanics and aesthetics, leading to debates about originality and imitation within the gaming community.
March 2011: Minecraft - Volume Alpha Soundtrack Release
C418, the composer for Minecraft, released "Minecraft - Volume Alpha" in March 2011, marking the first official soundtrack for the game. This soundtrack featured most of the game's in-game music, along with some additional tracks.
March 2011: Independent Games Festival Awards
In March 2011, Minecraft won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and the Audience Award at the Independent Games Festival.
April 2011: Minecraft's Revenue and Sales Milestone
By April 2011, Minecraft had made €23 million in revenue with 800,000 sales of the alpha version and over 1 million sales of the beta version.
May 2011: Smithsonian American Art Museum Selection
On May 5, 2011, Minecraft was selected for display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The Art of Video Games" exhibit.
August 2011: Pocket Edition Alpha
An early alpha version of Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released for the Xperia Play on the Android Market in August 2011. This marked the beginning of Minecraft's expansion to mobile devices.
October 2011: Mina Kvarter Project as a Precursor to Block by Block
In October 2011, the Mina Kvarter (My Block) project in Sweden served as a precursor to the Block by Block initiative. It provided young citizens with a platform to envision and contribute to urban planning in their communities, even without formal architectural training.
October 2011: Pocket Edition Expands
Minecraft: Pocket Edition was made available for a wider range of Android devices in October 2011.
November 2011: Minecraft's Full Release
Minecraft's full version was released on November 18th, 2011, marking a major milestone for the game.
November 2011: iOS Release
Minecraft was released for iOS devices on November 17th, 2011, broadening the game's reach to a new platform.
November 2011: First Minecon Held in Las Vegas
The inaugural Minecon, the official Minecraft fan convention, took place in November 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This marked a significant moment for the Minecraft community, featuring the official launch of the game, speeches, contests, and interactions with Mojang employees.
November 2011: Beta Version Surpasses 4 Million Purchases
In November 2011, Minecraft beta surpassed 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases prior to its full release.
November 18, 2011: Minecraft Full Release
On November 18, 2011, Minecraft was fully released after a period of public testing. Markus "Notch" Persson stepped down as lead developer, and Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took over.
December 2011: Jeb Takes the Helm
In December 2011, Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took over as lead designer of Minecraft, replacing Persson in the role.
2011: Markus Persson Creates Minicraft
In 2011, Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, developed another similar game called Minicraft for a Ludum Dare game jam.
2011: Minecraft's Popularity on YouTube
Minecraft's presence on YouTube in 2011 was described as "quietly dominant." Content creators like The Yogscast, known for their Minecraft videos, achieved significant viewership, and their Minecon 2011 panel was the most popular.
2011: Cancellation of Project Rex Kwon Do
In 2011, Mojang cancelled the collaboration with The Lego Group to create a Lego brick-based Minecraft game called Brickcraft, due to Lego's demanding requirements. The Lego Group considered buying Mojang but backed off after Microsoft offered to buy the company.
2011: Formation of MinecraftEdu for Educational Use
In 2011, MinecraftEdu was founded, aiming to integrate Minecraft into educational settings. Collaborating with Mojang, they made the game accessible and affordable for schools, opening new avenues for interactive learning.
2011: Critics on Multiplayer Setup and Visual Glitches
In 2011, IGN criticized the troublesome steps needed to set up multiplayer servers in Minecraft, calling it a hassle. GameSpot noted that the game felt unfinished despite its release out of beta.
2011: Minecraft's Potential in Redesigning Public Spaces
At Minecon 2011, discussions arose regarding Minecraft's applicability in computer-aided design (CAD). A Swedish developer suggested the game's potential for redesigning public buildings and parks, highlighting its user-friendly interface for community engagement in visualizing new structures.
February 2012: Bukkit Acquisition
Mojang acquired the Bukkit developer API in February 2012. The goal was to enhance Minecraft's support for server modifications, demonstrating a commitment to the game's modding community.
March 2012: Smithsonian Exhibition Opening
The "Art of Video Games" exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, featuring Minecraft, opened on March 16, 2012.
March 2012: Arcade NEXT Flagship
In March 2012, Minecraft was chosen as the flagship title for Xbox Live's Arcade NEXT promotion, highlighting its significance in the gaming landscape.
March 2012: 6th Best-Selling PC Game
By March 2012, Minecraft had become the 6th best-selling PC game of all time.
May 2012: Four Million Minecraft Videos on YouTube
By May 2012, over four million Minecraft-related videos had been uploaded to YouTube.
May 2012: Xbox 360 Release
Developed by 4J Studios, Minecraft was released for Xbox 360 on May 9th, 2012, expanding the game's audience to the console market.
May 2012: Xbox 360 Version Becomes Profitable
In May 2012, the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft became profitable within the first day, breaking Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online.
August 2012: Adventure Mode Added to Minecraft
Mojang added an adventure mode to Minecraft in August 2012, designed for custom maps.
September 2012: MinecraftEdu Reports 250,000 Students Using Minecraft
By September 2012, MinecraftEdu reported that approximately 250,000 students globally had accessed Minecraft for educational purposes, signifying the game's growing impact in classrooms.
September 2012: Launch of the Block by Block Project
Mojang partnered with UN-Habitat in September 2012 to launch the Block by Block project, utilizing Minecraft for real-world community development. This project empowers young people to participate in the design of their neighborhoods, fostering change and improvement.
October 2012: Command Blocks Introduced to Minecraft
Command blocks were added to Minecraft in October 2012. These blocks were designed to facilitate the creation of custom maps in Java Edition.
December 2012: 4.48 Million Copies Sold on Xbox Live Arcade
By December 2012, Minecraft had sold over 4.48 million copies since its debut on Xbox Live Arcade in May 2012.
December 2012: Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition Leak
While officially revealed at Minecon 2012, Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition was leaked in December 2012 before being swiftly taken down.
2012: Minecraft as a CAD Tool
In 2012, Cody Sumter from MIT Media Lab emphasized Minecraft's potential as a CAD program, stating that its creator, Notch, had unintentionally led millions of users to learn CAD principles through gameplay.
February 2013: Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition Release
After its initial leak, Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition was officially released in February 2013, introducing a version specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi platform.
September 2013: First Mash-Up Pack Released for Xbox 360 Edition
The first mash-up pack, which was also the first texture pack for the Xbox 360 Edition of Minecraft, was released on September 4, 2013. This pack was themed after the Mass Effect series.
November 2013: Minecraft - Volume Beta Soundtrack Release
In November 2013, C418 released "Minecraft - Volume Beta," the second official Minecraft soundtrack. This release included newer music that had been added to the game since "Volume Alpha."
December 2013: PlayStation 3 Release
Minecraft was released for PlayStation 3 on December 17th, 2013, marking the game's arrival on Sony's console.
2013: Kids' Choice Awards Nomination
Minecraft was nominated for Favorite App at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards but lost to Temple Run.
2013: British Academy Video Games Awards Nomination
Minecraft was nominated for the family game of the year at the British Academy Video Games Awards in 2013.
2013: Mojang Announces Minecraft Realms
Minecraft Realms, a server hosting service designed to simplify the creation and management of multiplayer games, was announced by Mojang in 2013.
2013: Plans for Oculus Rift Cancelled
In 2013, Persson cancelled plans to support the Oculus Rift with a port of Minecraft after Facebook acquired Oculus, expressing discomfort with the acquisition.
February 2014: 100 Million Registered Users
On February 25, 2014, Minecraft reached 100 million registered users.
April 2014: Full-Scale Recreation of Denmark in Minecraft
In April 2014, the Danish Geodata Agency recreated a full-scale model of Denmark within Minecraft, utilizing their geodata. This was feasible due to Denmark's relatively flat terrain, with its highest point aligning with Minecraft's in-game limitations at the time.
April 2014: 12 Million Copies Sold on Xbox 360
As of April 4, 2014, the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft had sold 12 million copies.
June 2014: EULA Changes and "Pay-to-Win" Ban
In June 2014, Microsoft and Mojang announced changes to Minecraft's EULA, prohibiting "pay-to-win" servers, leading to backlash from the community.
September 2014: British Museum's Minecraft Recreation Project
In September 2014, the British Museum revealed plans to recreate its entire building and exhibits within Minecraft, involving public participation.
September 2014: Microsoft Acquires Mojang
Microsoft acquired Mojang, including the intellectual property rights to Minecraft, in a $2.5 billion deal announced in September 2014. The deal was initiated by Persson after facing criticism over changes to the game's end-user license agreement (EULA).
September 2014: PlayStation 4 Release
Minecraft was released for PlayStation 4 on September 4th, 2014, after being initially announced as a launch title.
September 2014: Xbox One Release
Minecraft was released for Xbox One on September 5th, 2014, offering an enhanced version with larger worlds and other improvements for players on the newer console generation.
October 2014: PlayStation Vita Release
Minecraft's release for PlayStation Vita occurred in October 2014, extending the game's availability to Sony's handheld console.
October 2014: Best-Selling PC Game of All Time
As of October 10, 2014, Minecraft had sold 17 million copies on PC, becoming the best-selling PC game of all time.
November 2014: Acquisition Finalized
The deal between Microsoft and Mojang was finalized in November 2014, resulting in Persson becoming a billionaire.
December 2014: Windows Phone Release
Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released for Windows Phone 8.1 in December 2014.
2014: TIGA Game Of The Year Award
Minecraft Console Edition won the TIGA Game Of The Year award in 2014.
2014: Kids' Choice Awards Nomination
Minecraft was nominated for Favorite Video Game at the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards but lost to Just Dance 2014.
2014: Second Most Searched Term on YouTube
Minecraft was the second-most searched term on YouTube in 2014, demonstrating its significant presence on the platform.
2014: Microsoft Acquires Mojang and Minecraft
In 2014, Microsoft bought Mojang and the intellectual property of Minecraft for 2.5 Billion US dollars.
January 2015: 500,000 Copies Sold in Japan
By January 2015, Minecraft had sold 500,000 digital copies across all PlayStation platforms in Japan, with a significant surge in primary school children purchasing the PS Vita version.
July 2015: Minecraft for Windows 10 Beta Launch
July 2015 marked the beginning of a new era for Minecraft on Windows with the beta release of Minecraft for Windows 10 on the Windows Store.
August 2015: Minecraft - Volume Alpha Physical Release
August 2015 saw "Minecraft - Volume Alpha" released on physical media, including CDs and vinyl records, through the indie electronic label Ghostly International.
December 2015: Minecraft: Wii U Edition Release
In December 2015, Minecraft: Wii U Edition was released, marking the game's debut on a Nintendo platform.
2015: Kids' Choice Awards Win
Minecraft won the award for Most Addicting Game at the 2015 Kids' Choice Awards.
2015: USgamer's The 15 Best Games Since 2000
In 2015, Minecraft was ranked 6th on USgamer's list of the 15 Best Games Since 2000.
2015: Rosenfeld's Intent for Third Album
In 2015, Rosenfeld expressed his intention to create a third album of music for Minecraft during an interview with FACT Magazine.
May 2016: Minecraft China Announcement
In May 2016, Mojang and NetEase announced Minecraft China, a localized edition tailored for the Chinese market.
May 2016: Super Mario Mash-Up Pack Released for Wii U Edition
On May 17, 2016, a Super Mario-themed resource pack was released for the Wii U Edition of Minecraft as part of a cross-promotion with Nintendo.
June 2016: Minecraft: Wii U Edition Physical Release
Following its digital release in December 2015, Minecraft: Wii U Edition received a physical release in June 2016 in North America, Japan, and Europe.
June 2016: Cross-Platform Play Introduced to Minecraft Realms
Cross-platform play between Windows 10, IOS, and Android was added to Minecraft Realms in June 2016. Xbox One and Nintendo Switch support were planned to follow later.
August 2016: Official Oculus Rift Support
On August 15, 2016, Microsoft launched official Oculus Rift support for Minecraft on Windows 10, leading to the discontinuation of the Minecraft VR mod due to trademark complaints.
November 2016: Minecraft: Education Edition Official Release
After a beta testing period, the full version of Minecraft: Education Edition was released in November 2016 for Windows 10 and MacOS.
December 2016: Minecraft for Windows Full Release
After a period of beta testing, Microsoft officially released Minecraft for Windows in December 2016. Dubbed the "Ender Update," this version brought new features like world templates and add-on packs, enhancing the Windows 10 Minecraft experience.
December 2016: Full Pocket Edition Release
The full version of Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone on December 19th, 2016, solidifying its position as a significant platform for the game.
2016: Goal of the Block by Block project
The Block by Block project, using the Minecraft game as a platform for community development, aimed to improve 300 public spaces by 2016, empowering residents to actively engage in shaping their neighborhoods.
2016: Final In-Person Minecon
Minecon 2016 marked the last in-person convention, after which the event transitioned to an annual livestream format.
2016: Time's The 50 Best Video Games of All Time
In 2016, Time magazine placed Minecraft 6th on its list of the 50 Best Video Games of All Time.
2016: Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition Updates Ceased
In 2016, Mojang stopped providing updates for Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition, marking the end of its active development.
January 2017: Windows Phone Support Ends
Microsoft announced the end of support for the Windows Phone versions of Minecraft: Pocket Edition in January 2017.
May 2017: Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition Release
Minecraft expanded its reach on Nintendo platforms with the release of Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition on the Nintendo eShop in May 2017.
June 2017: Minecraft "Discovery Update" Released
In June 2017, Mojang launched the "Discovery Update" for the Bedrock version of Minecraft. This update featured a new map, a new game mode, and the "Marketplace," which allowed creators to monetize their content.
July 2017: Minecraft Realms Cross-Platform Play Beta Released
The beta version of the Minecraft Realms update, which included cross-platform play, was released in July 2017.
August 2017: Minecraft China PC Edition Public Testing
August 2017 saw the commencement of public testing for the PC edition of Minecraft China, based on the original Java Edition.
September 2017: Better Together Update
A significant milestone in Minecraft's history, the Better Together Update was launched in September 2017. This update introduced the Bedrock Edition, enabling cross-platform play between Xbox One, Windows 10, VR, and mobile versions, transforming the game's multiplayer landscape.
September 2017: Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Release
In September 2017, Nintendo announced and released Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition, making the game accessible on the New 3DS and New 3DS XL systems.
September 2017: Minecraft China iOS Release
Minecraft China expanded to mobile platforms with the iOS version's launch in September 2017. This version was built on the Bedrock Edition.
September 2017: Java Edition Distinguished
The original version of Minecraft was renamed "Minecraft: Java Edition" in September 2017. This renaming aimed to differentiate it from the "Bedrock Edition," which would later be simplified to just "Minecraft" during the Better Together Update.
October 2017: Minecraft China Android Release
Following the iOS release, the Android version of Minecraft China was launched in October 2017, also based on the Bedrock Edition.
2017: Windows Mixed Reality Support Added
In 2017, Windows Mixed Reality support was added to Minecraft, expanding its VR capabilities.
2017: Bedrock Edition Emerges
In 2017, Pocket Edition was transformed into Bedrock Edition, a major change that enabled cross-platform play between Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
2017: Confirmation of Work on Third Album
In 2017, Rosenfeld confirmed via a tweet that he had been working on the third album for Minecraft, stating that it was longer than the previous two albums combined.
March 2018: Microsoft and Code.org's Minecraft Coding Tutorials Reach Millions
By March 2018, Microsoft and Code.org reported that over 85 million children had utilized their Minecraft-based coding tutorials, highlighting the successful integration of the game in promoting programming skills among young learners.
April 2018: Malware Found in Minecraft Skins
Malware was discovered in some user-made Minecraft skins for Java Edition in April 2018. Mojang patched the vulnerability, stating the code was only executed when the image file was opened, not by the game itself.
July 2018: Nintendo Switch Support Added to Minecraft Realms
In July 2018, Minecraft Realms added support for the Nintendo Switch.
August 2018: Minecraft: Education Edition for iPadOS Announced
Expanding its accessibility for students, Mojang announced the arrival of Minecraft: Education Edition on iPadOS in August 2018.
September 2018: Minecraft: Education Edition for iPadOS Release
Following the announcement in August, Minecraft: Education Edition was released on the App Store for iPadOS in September 2018.
December 2018: Legacy Console Editions Final Update
December 2018 marked the end of an era for Minecraft on older consoles, as the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions received their final update, becoming known as Legacy Console Editions.
2018: Kids' Choice Awards Nomination
The Java Edition of Minecraft was nominated for "Favorite Video Game" at the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards.
2018: YouTube's Biggest Game Globally
Minecraft remained YouTube's biggest game globally in 2018, showing its continued popularity and influence on the platform.
January 2019: Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Discontinuation
In January 2019, the New Nintendo 3DS version of Minecraft received its final update, effectively discontinuing the game on this platform.
March 2019: Minecraft: Education Edition Operation in China
In March 2019, JD.com was announced as the operator of Minecraft: Education Edition in China, broadening the game's educational reach.
May 2019: 180 Million Copies Sold
By May 2019, Minecraft had sold 180 million copies across all platforms, making it the single best-selling video game of all time.
September 2019: 112 Million Monthly Active Players
By September 2019, Minecraft had over 112 million monthly active players.
September 2019: The Guardian's Best Video Game of the 21st Century
The Guardian named Minecraft the best video game of the 21st century in September 2019.
November 2019: Minecraft China Player Milestone
By November 2019, Minecraft China had achieved a remarkable milestone, amassing over 300 million players, showcasing the game's significant popularity in China.
November 2019: 300 Million Players in China
By November 2019, the free-to-play Minecraft China version had over 300 million players.
November 2019: Polygon's "Most Important Game of the Decade"
Polygon called Minecraft the "most important game of the decade" in its 2010s review in November 2019.
December 2019: Forbes' Recognition in Best Games of the 2010s
Forbes included Minecraft in its list of the best video games of the 2010s in December 2019.
December 2019: Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition Joins Bedrock
A major shift for PlayStation users occurred in December 2019 when the PlayStation 4 version of Minecraft was updated and integrated into the Bedrock Edition. This move enabled cross-platform play for those with a free Xbox Live account, further uniting Minecraft players across different platforms.
2019: Minecraft's Popularity Surge on YouTube
Minecraft's popularity on YouTube experienced a noticeable surge in 2019, partially attributed to PewDiePie's gameplay videos, solidifying its visibility on the platform.
2019: Golden Joystick Awards Win
Minecraft won the "Still Playing" award at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards.
April 2020: Ray Tracing Beta
In April 2020, Nvidia released a beta version of Minecraft featuring physically based rendering, ray tracing, and DLSS for RTX-enabled GPUs.
May 2020: 200 Million Copies Sold
On its 11th anniversary in May 2020, Minecraft reached over 200 million copies sold across platforms with over 126 million monthly active players.
June 2020: Minecraft: Education Edition Chromebook Beta
Expanding its presence in educational settings, a public beta for Minecraft: Education Edition on Google Play Store compatible Chromebooks was launched in June 2020.
June 2020: World Video Game Hall of Fame Induction
Minecraft was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in June 2020.
August 2020: Minecraft: Education Edition Chromebook Release
Following its beta phase, the full version of Minecraft: Education Edition was released on the Google Play Store for Chromebooks in August 2020.
August 2020: Minecraft - Volume Beta Physical Release
Following the physical release of "Volume Alpha," Ghostly International also released "Minecraft - Volume Beta" on CD and vinyl in August 2020.
September 2020: PlayStation VR Support Announced
On September 7, 2020, Mojang Studios announced that the PlayStation 4 version of Minecraft would receive PlayStation VR support within the same month.
December 2020: Ray Tracing Final Release
The final version of Minecraft with ray tracing was released on December 8th, 2020, marking a visual enhancement for players with compatible hardware.
2020: New Minecraft Composer Introduced
In 2020, "The Nether Update" for Minecraft marked a shift in the game's musical landscape as a new composer, Lena Raine, was brought in. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Minecraft's music, with Raine becoming the primary composer and collaborating with other artists for future updates.
2020: Announcement of Microsoft Account Requirement
In 2020, Mojang Studios announced that Microsoft accounts would be required for Java Edition, leading to community backlash.
2020: Kids' Choice Awards Win
Minecraft won the "Favorite Video Game" award at the 2020 Kids' Choice Awards.
January 2021: Rosenfeld Interview on Third Volume
On January 8, 2021, Rosenfeld discussed the possibility of releasing a third volume of his music for Minecraft in an interview with Anthony Fantano. He indicated that although he considered it finished, complications due to Minecraft's growth as a major property have hindered its release.
April 2021: 140 Million Monthly Active Players
By April 2021, the number of active monthly users of Minecraft had climbed to 140 million.
April 2021: 238 Million Copies Sold
By April 2021, Minecraft had sold more than 238 million copies worldwide.
December 2021: Minecraft Reaches 1 Trillion Views on YouTube
In December 2021, YouTube announced that Minecraft-related videos had surpassed a cumulative 1 trillion views since the game's debut in 2009, marking a significant milestone in its popularity.
March 2022: Mandatory Microsoft Account Migration
On March 10, 2022, Microsoft made Microsoft account migration mandatory for all Java Edition players.
June 2022: Minecraft: Java and Bedrock Editions Merged for Windows
In a move to streamline the Minecraft experience on Windows, Microsoft merged the Java and Bedrock Editions for purchase in June 2022. This allowed players who owned one edition to automatically access the other, although both versions continued to operate separately.
June 2022: Player Reporting Feature Announcement
Microsoft and Mojang Studios announced in June 2022 the introduction of a player reporting feature in Java Edition.
July 2022: Release of Player Reporting Feature
The update containing the player reporting feature (1.19.1) was released on July 27, 2022.
December 2022: Minecraft Education Renamed
In December 2022, Minecraft: Education Edition was formally renamed to simply Minecraft Education, solidifying its role as a dedicated educational tool.
2022: Best-Selling Vita Game in Japan
As of 2022, the PS Vita version of Minecraft had sold over 1.65 million physical copies in Japan, making it the best-selling Vita game in the country.
2022: Streamer Awards Win and Kids' Choice Awards Nomination
In 2022, Minecraft won "Stream Game of the Year" at the inaugural Streamer Awards and was nominated for Favorite Video Game at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
June 2023: Trails & Tales Update
The "Trails & Tales" update, released in June 2023, was the latest major update to Minecraft. It introduced new creatures, biomes, and items to the game.
September 2023: Deadline for Account Migration
The deadline for migrating legacy Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts was set for September 19, 2023.
2023: 300 Million Copies Sold
As of 2023, Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies.
2023: Minecraft Reaches 300 Million Copies Sold
As of 2023, Minecraft reached the milestone of over 300 million copies sold, with about 140 million monthly active players.
2023: Kids' Choice Awards Win
Minecraft won the Favorite Video Game category at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
2025: Minecraft Live-Action Film Release
A live-action film adaptation of Minecraft is scheduled to release in theaters in 2025.