Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Mojang hired a "cow whisperer" and "real animal voice actors" to record new Minecraft animal noises: "The cows started to speak to him immediately"
Mojang has updated Minecraft's animal sounds with the Tiny Takeover update, employing real animal voice actors and a "cow whisperer" for authentic noises. The update includes new sounds for baby and adult mobs, though player reception to update 26.1 has been mixed, with some criticizing it as a low-effort marketplace add-on.
"Mojang can never win": Minecraft fans split after update 26.1 and underwhelming Chaos Cubed reveal, with some dubbing it "a low-effort marketplace add-on"
Minecraft players are divided following the release of update 26.1 and the reveal of the upcoming Chaos Cubed content. While some appreciate the smaller, more frequent updates and new features like sound variants and the Golden Dandelion, others feel the content, particularly Chaos Cubed, is underwhelming and resembles a low-effort marketplace add-on, especially for single-player experiences.
"We were there in the 80s for the crash, and this is definitely crashier." John and Brenda Romero reflect on the industry crisis
John and Brenda Romero reflect on the current state of the video game industry, likening it to the 1983 crash and describing it as "definitely crashier." Romero Games faced significant downsizing due to a funding pull, leading to a dramatic reduction in staff. Despite these challenges and industry-wide layoffs, the Romeros remain committed to developing their new game and express passion for creating games.
Famitsu Sales: 3/16/26 3/22/26 Pokopia remains on top while Crimson Desert opens at 31,108.
Famitsu has released its weekly sales data for the period of March 16-22, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia continues to lead software sales, while the new release Crimson Desert debuted at second place with 31,108 units sold on PlayStation 5. Nintendo Switch 2 remains the top-selling hardware.
Famitsu Sales: 3/16/26 – 3/22/26 Pokopia remains on top while Crimson Desert opens at 31,108.
The latest Famitsu sales charts for the week of March 16-22, 2026, show Pokemon Pokopia remaining at the top. Crimson Desert debuted at number two with 31,108 units sold on PlayStation 5, while Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales.
Mojang partners with Merlin Entertainments for the Minecraft theme park, Minecraft World
Mojang Studios has partnered with Merlin Entertainments to create the world's first Minecraft-themed park in the UK. The theme park, named Minecraft World, will bring the popular video game to life for fans.
TIGA: UK games dev sector faces ″most severe downturn on record″
The UK games development sector is experiencing its most severe downturn on record, according to TIGA. Economic constraints are forcing younger players, particularly Gen Z, to prioritize games offering the most value for money, leading to the dominance of titles like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft.
Mojang partners with Merlin Entertainments for the Minecraft theme park, Minecraft World
Mojang Studios has partnered with Merlin Entertainments to create a new theme park called Minecraft World. This collaboration aims to bring the popular sandbox game into a physical, immersive experience for fans.
Minecraft devs say anything is possible in the sandbox game's future as they start to dip into old ideas for new updates: "You always have more ideas than you can realize"
Mojang product manager Anna Lundgren stated that anything is possible for the future of Minecraft, with the developer even revisiting abandoned ideas. She highlighted that the team consistently has more ideas than can be realized, but that doesn't mean they won't eventually come to fruition. This comes as the game prepares for its Chaos Cubed update following the Tiny Takeover update.
Why a Basic Fortnite Tweet Got 5K Likes and What It Says About Gaming
A simple two-word tweet, "Fortnite (2017)", unexpectedly went viral, resonating with thousands of gamers due to nostalgia for the game's early Battle Royale days. The article explores why this minimalist post achieved high engagement, contrasting the 2017 experience with the game's current state and discussing the broader trend of social media nostalgia bombs for older games.
Pokemon Pokopia players turn to "broken" Minecraft tactics to make gathering one of the game's rarest materials a breeze: "I mined 1,200 Pokemetal in about 90 minutes"
Players of Pokemon Pokopia have discovered a highly efficient method for gathering rare materials like Pokemetal, drawing inspiration from Minecraft's mining tactics. This technique, popularized by content creator Austin John Plays, involves excavating specific blocks on Dream Islands to yield large quantities of materials in a short time, significantly easing the grind for late-game crafting and customization.
Japanese Charts: Pokémon Pokopia Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down
Pokémon Pokopia remained the top-selling physical game in Japan for the third consecutive week, selling over 114,000 copies. Crimson Desert debuted at second place with over 31,000 units sold. The Switch 2 was the best-selling console, followed by the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
Minecraft Mod Spotlight: wonderland.jar – Liminal Space Hell
The Minecraft mod wonderland.jar is highlighted for its effective use of liminal space and dread to create a genuinely scary horror experience. Unlike mods that rely on jump scares, wonderland.jar immerses players in unsettling, alternate worlds and introduces mysterious entities that foster a pervasive sense of unease.
Videogames are more of a rich guy's hobby than ever, says analyst, and that's 'leaving a whole portion of the market to Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox'
Analyst Matt Piscatella suggests the video game market is increasingly catering to high-earners, leaving a significant portion of the audience to free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. This trend, described as a 'K-shaped economy' for gaming, means those who can afford premium games get better experiences, while others are left with microtransaction-heavy titles. Piscatella notes that PC gaming still offers a market for cheaper, shorter games, and suggests consoles could adopt more nimble strategies to capture a wider audience.
Pokemon Pokopia's hard-hitting maturity is the perfect way to celebrate 30 years of Pokemon
Pokemon Pokopia offers a surprisingly mature and engaging experience, blending life simulation, crafting, and building elements with a post-apocalyptic narrative. The game celebrates Pokemon's 30th anniversary by exploring themes of rebuilding and finding hope in a damaged world, appealing to both long-time fans and new players.
Minecraft's new crop of babies will "deepen your bond" with your animals, but make sure to keep them safe
Minecraft product manager Anna Lundgren highlighted the new animal breeding mechanics in the Tiny Takeover update, stating it will deepen player bonds with in-game animals. She also humorously mentioned feeling conflicted about fighting baby zombies.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream demo is already producing some of the wildest Miis I've ever seen, from Pokopia's Ditto to Resident Evil Requiem's Leon
The free demo for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has been released, allowing players to create and share custom Miis. Players are already recreating characters from various games, including Minecraft, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear, showcasing the extensive customization options available.
FZ Play – Bygg FragZity i Minecraft!
A FZ Play stream event will feature Minecraft players building a city called FragZity. The event encourages viewer participation and requires the Bedrock Edition of the game. A screenshot contest is also ongoing throughout the month.
Famitsu sales (3/16/26 – 3/22/26) – Pokemon Pokopia continues domination
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of March 16-22. Pokemon Pokopia continues its strong performance, topping the software charts. The Nintendo Switch 2 remains the dominant hardware platform, followed by the PlayStation 5 and its variants.
As Minecraft's New Update Arrives, Mojang Says "Nothing Is Off The Table" For Future Drops
Mojang Studios has released Minecraft's Tiny Takeover update, which overhauls baby mobs. Product manager Anna Lundgren discussed the update's focus on cuteness and player agency, stating that "nothing is off the table" for future game content. The next update, Chaos Cubed, is expected within three months.
