Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Verity Minecraft mod surpasses 4.9 million downloads in under a month as viral horror sensation continues
A Minecraft mod based on the viral horror sensation 'Verity' has achieved over 4.9 million downloads in less than a month since its release on June 16. The mod, available for Bedrock Edition, recreates the yellow, smiley-faced orb from the popular YouTube video, allowing players to interact with it and experience its nightmarish transformation. Several other mods based on the Verity phenomenon have also seen significant download numbers.
VPNs are under fire, as new UK government survey says 22% of kids are using them
A UK government survey indicates that 22% of children have used a VPN in the past three months, primarily for privacy, accessing region-locked content like Netflix, or adult material. The survey also highlights that online games and gaming communities are the most common platforms lacking mandatory age checks. The government plans to use these findings to inform future policy development regarding online safety and VPN usage.
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 11, 2026 – physical Mouse: P.I. For Hire debuts
The UK software sales chart for the week ending July 11, 2026, shows Mouse: P.I. For Hire debuting at #7. The physical version's sales were primarily on PlayStation 5, followed by Nintendo Switch. Nintendo titles like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Mario Kart World also performed well, appearing high on the chart.
PlayStation Ending Discs is Like Apple Shipping PCs Without Disc Drives in 2008, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production to Apple's removal of disc drives from PCs in 2008, suggesting the move is a future-facing inevitability driven by the dominance of digital sales. He notes that digital sales now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox, with physical media representing only about 5% of Sony's software revenue. Ahmad believes this shift allows Sony to increase margins, strengthen its ecosystem by preventing game resales, and focus on higher-spending core gamers.
The Minecraft Movie votes are in and, despite controversy, everyone's a winner
Mojang Studios announced the winner of the community build competition for A Minecraft Movie Squared, with Francisco C.M.'s 'Lightning Rod Lighthouse' selected to appear in the film. Despite a rule violation disqualifying the 'Tree Village' build, Mojang decided to include all finalists, including the 'Copper Badlands Castle' and 'Tranquil Taiga Tower,' to showcase community creativity. The movie is set to release on July 23, 2027.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 11, 2026 – Tomodachi Life returns to the top
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 11, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream returning to the number one spot, bumping Rhythm Heaven Groove to second. Moonlight Peaks debuted at third place in its first week. The article also lists the top 30 overall games and top 30 download-only games.
Matthew Ball was hired to help fix Xbox. Will gamers like what he prescribes?
Analyst Matthew Ball has been hired by Xbox as chief strategy officer to help revitalize the company's business. Ball, a proponent of the metaverse and user-generated content, is expected to influence Xbox's future direction, potentially drawing inspiration from platforms like Roblox and Epic Games' Unreal Engine. This comes as Xbox undergoes significant restructuring, including layoffs and studio closures.
Multiplayer sandbox Minecraft is finally adding the ability to sit in chairs
The latest update for Minecraft introduces the ability for players to sit in chairs, a feature previously absent from the game. While the update also includes a new biome and straw beds, the addition of sitting mechanics is highlighted as a significant technological advancement by developers and players alike.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
Id Software co-founder John Carmack "can’t muster anger or outrage" over Xbox gutting the Doom studio, but does say it'll "dampen the mood of the founder reunion"
Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness but not anger over the recent layoffs at the studio, suggesting that the company may have been a marginal business for Microsoft. He believes games need to succeed financially to continue being produced and that executives aren't always the problem, though he acknowledges the possibility. Carmack hopes the studio can recover despite the uncertain future.
id Software co-founder says "my 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" after the Doom maker lost 136 of its 185 staff to layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the significant layoffs at the studio under Microsoft, stating his previous belief that Microsoft would be a good steward of the brand is not aging well. He suspects id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft's profits potentially subsidizing other studios. Carmack also reflected on game development needing to succeed financially, not just be beloved, and speculated on alternative strategies that could have improved id's financial performance.
'If not PS6, then PS7' — Analyst says PlayStation ending physical discs was bound to happen as 'the console ecosystem is nearly entirely digital at this point'
Analyst Daniel Ahmad believes Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation disc production in 2028 was inevitable due to the significant shift towards digital sales, which now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox. This move aligns with Sony's strategy to create a high-margin, closed digital ecosystem, controlling all software sales and eliminating the used game market.
Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: "Games need to succeed, not just be beloved"
Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness over recent layoffs affecting over half of the studio's workforce, attributing the cuts to increasing business pressures rather than executive malice. He reflected on the need for games to be commercially successful, not just critically acclaimed, to ensure long-term production, and pondered potential design or marketing changes that could have improved Id's financial standing.
Famitsu software sales (6/29/26 – 7/5/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of June 29, 2026, to July 5, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove for Nintendo Switch topped the charts with 393,378 units sold. Several titles, including Ganbare Goemon Daishuugou and R-Type Dimensions 3, debuted on the list across Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 platforms.
John Carmack reacts to massive layoffs at id Software: 'My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the…
Co-founder of id Software, John Carmack, has commented on the recent layoffs at the studio, expressing disappointment that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand "isn't aging well." While saddened, Carmack stated he doesn't "muster anger or outrage," suspecting id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft. He also discussed hypothetical strategies that could have prevented the team's decimation, while co-founder John Romero expressed grief for those affected.
MMO Business Roundup: Marathon’s lawsuit, the Sony petition, TGS 2026, and Minecraft’s fate
This MMO business roundup covers several key events, including the settlement of a lawsuit filed by former Marathon game director Christopher Barrett against Sony and Bungie. It also highlights an online petition by PNP Games urging Sony to continue supporting physical media, which has garnered a significant number of signatures. Additionally, Nexon announced its presence at Tokyo Game Show, and an article from Gamespot questions Microsoft's strategy for Minecraft's future, suggesting a focus on competing with Roblox could be detrimental.
Famitsu sales (6/29/26 – 7/5/26) – first week sales revealed for Rhythm Heaven Groove
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of June 29 to July 5. Rhythm Heaven Groove debuted at the top of the software charts with 393,378 units sold on the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch family of consoles continues to dominate hardware sales, with the new Switch 2 model leading the pack.
YouTuber gets Minecraft running on an original Game Boy Color, and it even looks kinda playable
YouTuber Game of Tobi has successfully ported Minecraft to the original Game Boy Color, creating a functional 3D version of the game. While not the full experience, the port allows players to walk around and break/place blocks. A black and white version also runs on the original Game Boy.
Evening Reading - July 8, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several game updates and news items, including the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review, EVE Vanguard's alpha playtest, and the upcoming shutdown of Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis. It also touches on Apple's chip testing and a new deal with Broadcom, mentions Obsidian Entertainment's potential pivot to a Fallout game, and highlights community creations in Minecraft. Additionally, it notes John Oliver's appearance on General Hospital and the announcement of the first four teams in the Women's Pro Baseball League.
