Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, the creator of the monumental video game Minecraft, has recently sparked excitement within the gaming community with the announcement of his plans to develop what he refers to as a "spiritual successor" to the original game. This proposition arises amid considerable public interest, indicated by overwhelming support for the idea of 'Minecraft 2' from his social media following.
On January 1, 2025, Notch took to Twitter, where he invited his followers to participate in a poll to determine which of two projects he should focus on next. The options presented included continuing work on a new game—described as a traditional roguelike combined with elements of first-person dungeon crawling—or pivoting to create something more akin to Minecraft. To the surprise of many, the poll voted decisively for the latter, signaling strong community interest, with 78% favoring the notion of creating 'Minecraft 2.'
“I basically announced Minecraft 2,” Notch remarked, capturing the attention of both fans and critics alike. His proposal indicates not just nostalgia for the beloved sandbox game but also excitement for the creative process itself. “I thought 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,” he said, reflecting his enthusiasm as he contemplates returning to game development after years of relative silence.
Yet, the path to creating this new title is fraught with legal challenges. Following the sale of his studio Mojang, and the rights to Minecraft, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion back in 2014, Notch is constrained from directly developing anything with the Minecraft name. "No, it would be super illegal,” he clarified when queried about the legalities surrounding the project. Instead, he envisioned creating something original—yet reminiscent—of Minecraft's charm. His approach can be best described as aiming for something within the same genre, alluding to the deep-rooted connections players have with the original.
Notch also expressed his awareness of the challenges of crafting sequels and the expectations players attach to these titles. “These are traditionally sometimes referred to as 'spiritual successors', but usually kinda mostly feel a bit flat,” he cautioned, admitting the difficulties inherent to living up to the magic of the original design. It is obvious he wishes to avoid falling short of the community's high hopes and dreams formed over years of experience with Minecraft.
Social media reactions have painted quite the picture of the gaming community's sentiments. Followers eagerly weigh their opinions on his announcements, contemplating the realms of possibilities this new project could open up. The prospect of Notch stepping back onto the stage of game creation, especially to revisit the lore, mechanics, and aesthetics of Minecraft, has fans drooling with anticipation. Many are curious to see how he might innovate the concept of blocky worlds and exploratory narratives within this potential sequel.
When discussing the significance of the poll results, it's apparent from the massive participation—over 235,000 votes—that there is both nostalgia and hope for this project. The timing is particularly auspicious as Minecraft itself continues to thrive under Microsoft's care, amassing over 300 million copies sold since its release, bolstered by regular updates and community-driven content.
Reflecting on his departure from Mojang and his time away from the gaming scene, Notch clarified his intentions to avoid infringing on Mojang’s legacy, acknowledging the work Microsoft has accomplished with Minecraft over the years. “I respect them for doing [the updates]. It's their job. And they, from what I understand, let the studio do things their way which seems fair,” he elaborated, highlighting his intent to create without overstepping copyright boundaries.
The excitement surrounding Notch's announcement touches on broader themes within the gaming industry today. Nostalgia is often coupled with modern design principles, leading to successful remakes and sequels when the past and the present find harmony. If Notch can capture the essence of what made Minecraft impactful—while innovatively exploring new mechanics—and artfully blend the two, he could undoubtedly re-engage long-time players and attract newcomers alike.
Whether this new game can maintain the essence of Minecraft or veer off down its own path remains to be seen. The creative pulse has certainly been reignited for Notch, making it imperative for both fans and industry observers to stay alert for future announcements and developments as this potential project takes shape. Will this new offering live up to its predecessor's legacy, or will it carve its own niche within the extraordinary world of sandbox gaming? Only time will reveal what lies beyond the horizon for Notch's creative resurgence.