Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Game Pass Might Lose More Day One Game Releases Than Call of Duty, Says Analyst
Industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggests that Microsoft's decision to remove Call of Duty from day-one Game Pass releases is a strategic move to increase revenue through staggered releases and sales on other platforms. This shift may indicate a broader trend of windowing other first-party titles on the subscription service. Microsoft is also reportedly exploring new Game Pass tiers, including a cheaper option focused on first-party games with cloud gaming limits and a customizable "pick your own plan" model.
Former Head of Xbox Film/TV Kiki Wolfkill Has Left Microsoft After 28 Years
Kiki Wolfkill has departed Microsoft after 28 years, having worked on games like Forza, Mass Effect, and Fable, and served as executive producer on Halo 4. She also contributed to transmedia projects such as the Halo TV show, a Minecraft movie, and Amazon's Fallout TV series. Wolfkill expressed gratitude for her career at Microsoft and excitement for future endeavors.
8 Games Worth Returning To in 2026 (Plot Optional) | TAG
This guide highlights eight games suitable for players returning after a long break, focusing on titles with minimal plot baggage or robust in-game recap features. Games like Hades II, Slay the Spire 2, and Minecraft are recommended for their roguelike or sandbox nature, while Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 offer strong journal and codex systems for resuming RPGs. Elden Ring: Nightreign and Stardew Valley are also included for their forgiving mechanics and clear progression.
US: Nintendo Switch 2 was No.1 hardware in March 2026
The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling hardware in the United States for March 2026, followed by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. MLB: The Show 26 was the best-selling game of the month. Nintendo's digital sales figures were not included in the report.
Rumour: Ubisoft Cancels Animal Crossing Competitor After 3 Years in Development
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled Alterra, a life simulation game described as an Animal Crossing and Minecraft competitor, after three years of development. Developers were informed of the decision this week, though it is unclear if any layoffs will occur, with staff likely being reassigned to other projects.
US hardware sales rose 69% in March 2026 following strong Switch 2 performance | US Monthly Charts
Total US consumer spending on video games increased by 12% to $5.3 billion in March 2026, driven by a 69% surge in hardware sales to $500 million, largely due to strong Nintendo Switch 2 performance. The Switch 2 led unit and dollar sales, surpassing the original Switch's performance. Console content spending also grew significantly, boosted by digital premium downloads and new releases.
Ubsioft confirms that it canceled its multiplayer cozy RPG, Alterra
Ubisoft has canceled its multiplayer cozy RPG, Alterra, after three years of development. The company stated that the decision was part of its ongoing portfolio management and project assessment. This cancellation follows a period of significant challenges for Ubisoft, including layoffs and studio closures, though no employees are being laid off due to Alterra's discontinuation.
Report: Ubisoft cancels social-sim game Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled its social-simulation game Alterra, which was inspired by Animal Crossing and had been in development for nearly three years at Ubisoft Montreal. Employees working on the title have been reassigned to other projects, and the cancellation is not expected to result in job cuts. This news follows a series of cost-saving measures by Ubisoft, including studio closures and layoffs.
US Gaming Sales Data for March 2026 Shows Beasties Can't Beat Baseball
Circana's March 2026 US gaming sales data reveals MLB The Show 26 as the top-selling game for the month, surpassing Resident Evil Requiem. Despite strong performances from other titles like WWE 2K26 and Marathon, baseball and wrestling games dominated the charts. The Nintendo Switch led hardware sales, with the PlayStation 5 in second place, while the Xbox Series X|S showed declining performance.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for March 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia lands in the top 5
Circana has released the top-selling video games in the U.S. for March 2026, with MLB The Show 26 leading the list. Pokemon Pokopia debuted at number 5, despite Nintendo not reporting digital sales for the game-key card title. Monster Hunter Stories 3 also made its debut on the chart at number 7.
Ubisoft have reportedly cancelled Alterra, a life sim blending Animal Crossing with Minecraft, after almost three years of dev work
Ubisoft has reportedly cancelled its unannounced life simulation game, Alterra, after nearly three years of development. The game, which blended elements of Animal Crossing and Minecraft, was being developed at Ubisoft Montreal. This cancellation follows a series of other project cancellations and layoffs at Ubisoft earlier this year.
Kiki Wolfkill, former Halo veteran and film and TV head at Xbox, exits Microsoft after 28 years
Kiki Wolfkill, head of film and TV at Xbox and a 28-year veteran of Microsoft, has departed the company. Wolfkill was instrumental in transmedia projects like the Halo TV show, the Fallout series for Amazon, and upcoming adaptations for Minecraft and Gears of War. Her exit follows a broader transition within Xbox's leadership.
Rumour: Next Street Fighter 6 DLC includes Tifa, Vega, Haggar & Gouken
A rumor suggests that the next DLC characters for Street Fighter 6 will include Tifa from Final Fantasy VII, Vega, Haggar, and Gouken. The leak comes from the same source that accurately predicted previous character additions. However, caution is advised as Capcom has a history of releasing false information to identify internal leakers.
Steam, Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite risk "becoming onramps to abuse, extremist violence, radicalisation or lifelong harm", claim Australian government
The Australian government has issued transparency notices to Valve, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Roblox Corporation, demanding action to prevent their platforms from becoming conduits for abuse, extremist violence, and radicalization. eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant highlighted concerns about grooming and the embedding of violent narratives, citing specific examples on Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam.
Ubisoft cancels Animal Crossing and Minecraft-inspired cozy life sim game Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled Alterra, an unannounced cozy life simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Minecraft, which had been in development for nearly three years at Ubisoft Montréal. Meanwhile, Microsoft has reduced the prices of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and will no longer include new Call of Duty titles as day-one releases on the service.
Australia targets Steam, Roblox and others in new legal push against extremists and predators
Australia's eSafety agency has issued legal notices to Valve (Steam), Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, demanding explanations on their measures against sexual predators and extremists. The platforms are legally required to detail their strategies for combating child grooming and the spread of violent propaganda. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines under Australia's Online Safety Act.
Move aside Mario Kart, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is better, and it's cheaper than ever at Fanatical
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is highlighted as a superior kart racer to Mario Kart, available on multiple platforms at a discounted price of $38.14/£35.41 on Fanatical. The game features a realm-hopping mechanic, 23 characters including collaborations with Minecraft and Persona 5, and offers a vibrant racing experience with customization options.
Australia wants to know how Valve is combating 'extreme-right communities' on Steam
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has issued a transparency notice to Valve, demanding an explanation of how Steam combats 'extreme-right communities' and related harms. Valve risks significant daily fines if it fails to respond. Similar notices have been served to Roblox, Microsoft for Minecraft, and Epic Games for Fortnite, citing reports of grooming, terrorism, and violent extremism on these platforms.
GTA 6 Trailer: Animal Spotters Go Wild Over Every Frame... | TAG
This article rounds up several gaming news items, including detailed fan analysis of the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer's wildlife, a surprise sale on Nintendo Switch games at Costco, and Microsoft's ongoing decisions regarding Xbox Game Pass content. It also covers updates for Arc Raiders, a BAFTA controversy involving the indie game The Quiet Things, a new Minecraft mod for building vehicles, a Nintendo pop-up store in London, and various announcements from Hollywood's E3 week, alongside a Pokémon event guide and award winners from the BAFTA Games Awards.
Ubisoft Cancels Animal Crossing-Inspired Game - Report
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled its upcoming Animal Crossing-inspired game, Alterra, which was in development at Ubisoft Montreal for three years. Staff working on the voxel-art title, which featured building mechanics similar to Minecraft, have been reassigned to other projects. This cancellation is part of Ubisoft's broader cost-cutting measures, though the company also confirmed new IPs and installments in the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry franchises are planned.
