Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.- Game Crossovers and CollaborationsThe Minecraft Movie Build Challenge is holding a voting event for participants. This event highlights crossovers and collaborations within the gaming community.
- Massively Overthinking: Unbundling the MMORPG genre, 12 years laterIndustry figures like Raph Koster discuss the 'unbundling' of the MMORPG genre, where its core components like live services and subscription models have been adopted by other game genres. The article explores what truly defines an MMORPG in the current landscape, with contributors suggesting elements like persistent virtual worlds, community, and a unique 'glue' holding disparate game elements together, rather than just player count.
Överlevnadsgenren i backspegelnThis article traces the history and evolution of the survival game genre, starting with UnReal World in 1992 and highlighting key titles like Minecraft, DayZ, Rust, The Forest, Ark: Survival Evolved, and Valheim. It discusses how the genre has expanded from niche simulations to a broad category encompassing various gameplay styles and player engagement, emphasizing the core human drive for survival and adaptation as its enduring appeal.
Minecraft Movie Build Challenge Voting EventMojang Studios is holding a community voting event for the Minecraft Movie Build Challenge, allowing players to decide which build will be featured in "A Minecraft Movie: Squared." Voting takes place within Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and concludes on July 6th, with the winner announced on July 10th.- Vote for the Winner of the Minecraft Movie Build ChallengeXbox Wire is hosting a build challenge for a Minecraft movie, and readers are invited to vote for their favorite creation. The challenge focuses on community participation and creativity within the Minecraft universe.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Rumors claim Xbox wants to close Obsidian, but Jason Schreier says otherwiseRecent reports suggest Xbox is considering closing or selling several studios, including Obsidian Entertainment, due to financial pressures. However, journalist Jason Schreier has refuted claims that Obsidian is in negotiations to avoid closure, stating Xbox intends to keep the developer. The article also touches on frustrations within Xbox regarding leadership's focus on profitability and the impact of underperforming titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Famitsu sales (6/22/26 – 6/28/26) – first week sales revealed for Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of June 22-28, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with 24,879 units, while the new release Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 topped the software charts with 41,680 units sold. The data also includes sales figures for various PlayStation 5 and Xbox models, as well as other Nintendo Switch titles.
Creator-distributed discount codes drive massive uptake of game storefronts, according to new Tebex dataNew data from Tebex reveals that creator-distributed discount codes significantly boost game storefronts, with over 80% of players using these codes being new to the platform. While these codes increase average basket value, their impact is heavily concentrated among a small percentage of top-tier creators, who drive the vast majority of gross merchandise value.
Private Minecraft servers are "Illegal," according to an ESA officialAn official from the Entertainment Software Association stated that private Minecraft servers are illegal and considered piracy, despite Microsoft's encouragement of community servers. Minecraft's creator, Markus Persson, criticized the ESA's stance, while Microsoft and Mojang Studios have not officially commented.- QuoteworthyThe creator of Minecraft, Markus 'Notch' Persson, has spoken out against the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), calling their stance on private servers 'illegal'. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about intellectual property rights and server hosting for popular games.
- 'This Is Borderline Evil' - Minecraft Creator Speaks Out Against ESA Calling Private Servers 'Illegal'Minecraft creator Markus Persson has criticized the Electronic Software Association for labeling private servers as illegal. Persson, also known as 'Notch,' believes this stance is 'borderline evil' and is sparking debate about server legality and intellectual property.
The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its fingerThe Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has softened its stance on private game servers, clarifying that concerns primarily relate to those that host or distribute copyrighted content without authorization. While still asserting publishers' rights to enforce intellectual property, the ESA's updated statement acknowledges that private servers are not inherently illegal and that publishers may approach them differently. This follows earlier, more condemnatory statements made by the ESA regarding private servers for games like Minecraft.
How to build an Xbox game night for every kind of playerThis guide provides advice on hosting a successful Xbox game night for players of all skill levels and preferences. It emphasizes selecting a variety of games, structuring the evening in rounds, and accommodating both active players and spectators. The article also touches on practical tips like food choices, room setup, and utilizing services like Game Pass.
Evening Reading - July 30, 2026This article rounds up various gaming news items from July 30, 2026. Highlights include a live-action Persona adaptation for Netflix, a fall 2026 release window for Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2, and SECI Interactive warning of staffing decisions after Microsoft pulled out of publishing Project Fantasy. It also touches on esports events like EVO 2026 for 2XKO and mentions updates for games like Battlefield 6 and Turok: Origin.
Private Minecraft servers are "illegal," game industry lobbyists declare as another Stop Killing Games effort…The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has declared private Minecraft servers illegal, arguing they infringe on Microsoft's intellectual property rights and lack safety standards. This statement comes as the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign faces setbacks with the failure of the Protect Our Games Act in California and similar legislative inaction in the EU. Despite these challenges, 'Stop Killing Games' remains determined to pursue legislation for community server support.
ESA Tries To Walk Back Calling Private and Community Servers IllegalThe Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has walked back its earlier statements calling private and community game servers illegal. Initially, the ESA's vice president stated that unauthorized servers are illegal and akin to piracy. However, the ESA has since clarified that while unauthorized servers infringe on intellectual property rights, publishers may approach enforcement differently, and they are concerned about the lack of publisher oversight and safety standards on such servers.
Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA RepAn Entertainment Software Association (ESA) representative claimed that private community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal and constitute piracy. Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, argued that these servers are not affiliated with Microsoft and do not adhere to the same safety standards as official servers. The 'Stop Killing Games' movement has vowed to continue advocating for game preservation and the legality of community servers in future legislation.- The ESA is up to its tired old tricks in helping to block a California games preservation billThe Electronic Software Association (ESA) is reportedly lobbying against California's AB 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to preserve online games. The ESA is accused of using misleading claims to deter lawmakers, including calling private servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty illegal. Despite the bill failing to pass committee, the 'Stop Killing Games' initiative plans to continue advocating for game preservation.
- ESA Claims Private Minecraft Servers Are 'Illegal' and 'Piracy' in Stop Killing Games HearingThe Entertainment Software Association has controversially claimed that private Minecraft servers constitute 'illegal' activity and 'piracy' during a recent hearing. This statement has drawn criticism and confusion regarding intellectual property rights and user-created content.