Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Xbox CEO Outlines Future Plans for Growth in New Internal Memo – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined four key priorities for the division's future growth in an internal memo: strengthening the console platform, developing games into global franchises, turning Minecraft into a creator platform, and expanding beloved game worlds. These priorities, dubbed the 'four Cs' (core, content, creation, connection), aim to return Xbox to growth and achieve industry-leading margins by fiscal year 2030. The memo also discussed a shift towards a more centralized studio system focused on strong franchises and expanding intellectual property across various media.
Final Fantasy 14, Monster Hunter, and Animal Crossing top new survey of games Japanese players have spent the most time…
A survey of 5,400 Japanese players revealed the games they have spent the most time playing, with Final Fantasy 14 topping the list. Other notable entries include Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, Animal Crossing New Horizons, and Minecraft, while surprisingly, no Pokemon titles made the top 20.
Famitsu sales (7/20/26 – 7/26/26) – first week sales revealed for Splatoon Raiders, big Nintendo Switch 2 boost
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of July 20-26, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 saw a significant boost, selling over 50,000 units in its first week, with Splatoon Raiders topping the software charts. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X also saw sales figures reported.
200 million new Xbox players weren't enough to offset falling revenue in its latest fiscal year, CEO says: "We…
Despite attracting over 200 million new players to Xbox and its games in fiscal year 2026, Microsoft's gaming division experienced a decline in revenue. CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged the gap between audience growth and business performance, stating that investments in player value are expected to drive growth by the end of fiscal year 2027. The company also underwent significant restructuring, including layoffs and spinning out several first-party studios.
'What is it?' We snooped around in our favorite gaming characters' inventories: can you identify the…
This article presents a quiz challenging readers to identify obscure items found in the inventories of various video game characters, drawing inspiration from the subreddit r/whatisit. It humorously contrasts the potential for finding benign items with the paranoia of snooping, suggesting communication over suspicion.
New Minecraft mod adds ragdoll physics, and Bethesda would be proud
A new PC mod for Minecraft, created by Leonardoinc22, adds physics-driven player ragdolls using Sable's physics system. Players can activate the ragdoll effect by pressing 'H', with the mod also functioning on servers for multiplayer visibility. A related mod, Ragdoll Reactions, adds physics effects for in-game events like crashes and explosions.
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026 – Splatoon Raiders immediately hits #1
Splatoon Raiders debuted at number one on the UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026. Several other Nintendo titles, including Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia, also charted well. The list features a wide range of games from various publishers.
What does GTA Online 2.0 even look like—and, more to the point, what do we even want from Grand Theft Auto 6…
This opinion piece speculates on the future of GTA Online, questioning what "GTA Online 2.0" might look like given the increasing focus on user-generated content and live service platforms. The author considers how Rockstar Games might evolve the multiplayer experience for Grand Theft Auto 6, drawing parallels with other games like Fortnite and Roblox, while also acknowledging the potential challenges in balancing creativity with the core essence of the Grand Theft Auto series.
Minecraft Digs Up New System Specs
Microsoft has updated the system requirements for Minecraft Java Edition, with the changes taking effect on July 21st. The article notes that the game has been playable on a wide range of systems.
Games industry analyst says Meccha Chameleon's June revenue on PC was second only to Fortnite
The hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon achieved significant revenue on PC in June, ranking second only to Fortnite in several western countries according to Newzoo. This success highlights the commercial viability of lower-budget, socially driven multiplayer experiences. The game's low entry cost, viral popularity on social media, and upcoming collaborations contribute to its broad appeal.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 25, 2026 – Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game debuts
The latest Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 25, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game makes its debut at #7 overall and leads the download-only category. Rhythm Heaven Groove remains at #2.
Kids don’t like video games and that’s a massive problem - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern that children are not developing a healthy relationship with video games, often preferring mobile titles like Roblox and Minecraft over traditional console games. The author argues that parents' lack of engagement and introduction to age-appropriate titles leads children to associate gaming with low-rent, free-to-play experiences, potentially harming the future of the industry. This trend is seen as a contributing factor to publishers' focus on live service games over single-player experiences.
Meccha Chameleon ranks second behind Fortnite in PC revenue for June | Newzoo charts
Meccha Chameleon achieved significant success in June, ranking as the second-highest revenue-generating PC title behind Fortnite according to Newzoo. The indie hit, developed by Lemorion_1224 and Hagneiro, has sold over 15 million copies since its June 10 launch. Newzoo's report also highlighted the sustained commercial momentum of live-service titles and the impact of subscription services on game lifecycles.
Famitsu software sales (7/13/26 – 7/19/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of July 13-19, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove for Nintendo Switch topped the charts with 76,786 units sold. The data includes sales figures for various games across Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 platforms.
Despite Xbox console sales doubling YoY, hardware sales across the US are down 62% | US Monthly Charts
Total video game sales in the US experienced a 20% year-on-year decline, dropping from $5.7 billion to $4.5 billion. Hardware sales saw the most significant decrease at 62%, largely due to the Nintendo Switch 2's launch the previous year. Despite this, UFC 6 debuted as the best-selling game, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light.
Former Ultima Online lead says MMOs are "finally free of the fever dream of imitating World of Warcraft" thanks to Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and more
Raph Koster, lead designer of Ultima Online, believes the MMO genre has moved beyond the World of Warcraft-imitating phase, citing the success of sandbox titles like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Minecraft. He argues that the demand for social experiences and persistent worlds, even with smaller player counts, makes it an opportune time for new MMOs like his upcoming game, Stars Reach.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for June 2026 – Star Fox makes the top 5
Circana has released the top ten best-selling video games in the U.S. for June 2026. UFC 6 topped the list, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light. Nintendo titles Star Fox and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream also performed well, ranking fourth and sixth respectively.
Halo’s PlayStation Debut Could Also Be Its Farewell
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant strategic shift, moving away from broad multi-platform releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved towards a renewed focus on console exclusivity. This change, spearheaded by CEO Asha Sharma, involves scaling back the Xbox division and potentially canceling unannounced titles, though games already expected on other platforms will proceed. The article analyzes the implications of this shift for future Halo titles and the broader gaming landscape, considering factors like sales, player acquisition, and potential exclusive benefits for Xbox players.
Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 ports were both in the top 10 US PlayStation games last week despite cheating…
Despite significant fan complaints regarding pricing, lack of crossplay, and rampant cheating, the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 have charted in the top 10 most played games in the US. Nostalgia for the titles proved strong enough to overcome these issues, with Black Ops debuting at ninth and Black Ops 2 at sixth place.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
