Minecraft creator Markus Persson proves that indie games, or at least their creators, can achieve financial success. Persson gave an interview to Bloomberg Businessweek earlier this month, in which it was reported that the developer recently completed one of the most ambitious goals on his life’s To-Do List: become a millionaire.
How much the 7,000 daily sales of $21 Minecraft copies contributes to Persson’s newfound moneybags is a matter for speculation, but one revelation in the interview makes it clear that Persson is quickly becoming wise to the game’s commercial potential: Later this year, Persson’s company, Mojang, plans to create and release versions of the game for iPads, iPhones and Android phones.
Time will tell if this cash injection will carry with it the microscopic beginnings of greed that seem to infect many game companies as they grow beyond their first, humble communities. Still, Mojang’s seven employees are currently splitting their time between Minecraft support and a new title, Scrolls, a cross between the classic board game Risk and Wizards of the Coast’s shockingly popular Magic the Gathering. If Persson reinvests the financial and popular success gathered by Minecraft into an equally appealing game, we could be witnessing the first steps of a growing videogame giant.
Still, not everyone has yet had their free time devoured by Persson’s original pride and joy. Those unfamiliar with Minecraft are best advised to check the site for themselves, but a brief synopsis of the game is commonly, “Legos, with zombies.” Reminiscent of games like the Dark Cloud series, Minecraft requires players to mine or otherwise acquire materials, then build shelters out of them in which they can survive the nightly monster attacks.
After meeting their initial needs for survival, however, many players have gone on to create objects, buildings, sculptures, and monuments of all kinds. One resourceful devotee even created a microprocessor out of materials inside the game. With the flip of a few switches the processor can solve simple equations.
Much like Playstation’s Little Big Planet, Minecraft both fosters and relies upon this kind of creative play to provide a unique, open diversion. Sharing achievements also brings a social element to the game as players show off ideas and inventions built one brick at a time. If constructing something like the castle below lures your curiosity, Minecraft may be the game for you.
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