One of the most successful games throughout the entire history of gaming, Minecraft is a household name for ages varying from those just out of diapers to those who’ve been around since the beginning of real gaming (cue flashbacks of Doom). While the concept is simple and the graphics even simpler – if that’s possible – Minecraft offers something for every gaming style. Basically, you start with nothing and work your way up to crafting your own weapons and other various belongings, by scavenging, all while creating any structure you want in this free world and protecting yourself from ‘creepers’ when nightfall comes. Sounds simple right? Well this incredibly simple game allows users to be creative, fight the ‘bad guy’ and be rewarded for their troubles, all while building their very own world… always while on the never-ending mine for diamonds, of course.
So, just how popular is Minecraft and how did the developers do it?
Much of the marketing for Minecraft can come down to brand recognition and reaching target audiences, pretty basic stuff, but what makes Minecraft so special is that all ages enjoy playing, from all different levels of skills, from all around the world and, more importantly, across nearly every gaming platform. Since 2009, when Minecraft was first launched on PC, the game has recorded 14.3 million paying users at $30 a pop. While its success on PC is something for the record books, in addition to the paying customers hooked on this platform, more than 21 million players have purchased the game on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles, as well as various iOS and Android devices.
Ranked in the Top 25 highest-grossing apps at various times in both the Apple Store and GooglePlay, Minecraft is also one of very few games to have reached this massive achievement without having any in-app purchases. With such popularity and profitability, developer Mojang is now looking to expand its most favourite game to next-gen consoles (Xbox One and Playstation 4) and even Playstation’s hand-held gaming device, the PS Vita.
It’s success across all gaming platforms – from iOS and Android devices, smartphones and tablets, PC, consoles and now even hand-held gaming devices – makes Minecraft one of the most influential, profitable, successful and well-marketed games of our generation.