Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of the iconic survival game Minecraft, has recently stirred excitement among fans by announcing plans to develop what he calls a "spiritual successor" to the game, informally referred to as Minecraft 2. Positioned as perhaps one of the most successful games of all time, selling over 300 million copies since its launch, Minecraft has made waves globally since its inception, largely due to the foundational work from Notch himself.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Notch casually revealed his intent, stating, "I basically announced Minecraft 2. I thought people really wanted me to make another game, similar to the first, and I'm having fun working on games again." Despite his enthusiasm, responses from the gaming community have ranged from excitement to skepticism, with many questioning whether Notch is serious about this new project.
Following the sale of his studio Mojang to Microsoft for $2.5 billion back in 2014, Notch stepped back from the franchise, leaving the reigns of Minecraft to the capable team at Mojang. Despite his absence, he remains aware of the game's persistent popularity and its updates. Notch's announcement came as he aimed to draw opinions from his fans, asking whether he should continue developing his current tradition-based roguelike game or focus on creating his Minecraft-inspired project instead.
He said, "The new game I'm passionately working on is currently set to be a traditional roguelike... mixed with a tile-based first-person dungeon crawler. But then I got to thinking maybe there are people who like my work but might not share my taste...I mean, sure, I'd take the cash for creating something similar to Minecraft." This gives insight not only to his creative process but also to his consideration of the market—the current Minecraft fanbase.
A significant hurdle for Notch is the legal qualifications surrounding the franchise. He noted with concern, "No, it would be super illegal," when asked about making an official sequel to Minecraft. Even so, Notch's ambition remains undeterred, as he expressed openness to creating something fresh yet echoing the spirit of Minecraft: "Instead I'd make a new original game of the same type as Minecraft and call it something else. These are traditionally known as 'spiritual successors.'" Clearly, Notch understands the boundaries of intellectual property, operating within the space of inspiration rather than imitation.
What's more interesting is his conditional outreach to Microsoft. Notch recognized the potential for collaboration should the circumstances align right, stating, "If Microsoft, for some reason, wanted me to do it, and we, somehow, agreed on the terms, I'd absolutely be willing. I’d even give them a much bigger share than I'd feel obliged to—just to make it clear I'm not doing it with ill intent." His wish to maintain good relationships highlights the respect he still holds for the team at Mojang and Microsoft.
While he maintains his ambition and vision, Notch's past has not been without controversy. Having made potshots on social media, particularly concerning LGBTQ issues, his reputation among segments of the community has suffered greatly. It's worth considering whether this controversy will hamper his comeback and the support for his newfound venture. With comments such as, "Spiritual successors can feel washed up, but if that's what people want, I'd love to make it happen," Notch seems to navigate the challenge delicately, balancing his creative aspirations against his public image.
The gaming world continues to watch closely, intrigued but cautiously optimistic, as Notch attempts to step back onto the main stage. Whether or not Minecraft 2, as fans are coming to call it, becomes reality remains unclear. Without many hints from Microsoft about the future of Minecraft, it remains to be seen if Notch's independent venture will garner the interest he hopes for.
For now, Notch's interest signifies the undeniable legacy of Minecraft and sets the stage for potential developments fans might cherish. The industry has changed significantly since Minecraft's debut, but Notch's latest move signals there may still be room for innovations wrapped up with nostalgia. More than just idle musings, Notch's plans serve as a reminder of his impact on gaming culture and the expectations he now faces as he attempts to navigate this new chapter.