Notch teases spiritual successor to Minecraft: Fans speculate on what’s next

Efe Udin

January 5, 2025

Markus Persson, widely known as Notch, the creator of the iconic sandbox game Minecraft, has once again sparked interest in the gaming community. Released in 2009, Minecraft became a global sensation, loved for its creative gameplay and open-world mechanics. However, in 2014, Notch sold Mojang Studios, the developers behind the game, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Since then, Microsoft has owned the Minecraft intellectual property (IP) and title, but Notch still retains the freedom to work on similar concepts without infringing on copyrights.

On January 1st, Notch took to the X platform (formerly Twitter) to share a poll with his followers, asking whether they’d prefer him to develop a sequel-like game, Minecraft 2 Boomer, or a roguelike called Uncursing Potions. Unsurprisingly, the majority voted for a Minecraft-inspired game. Following the poll, Notch confirmed in another post that he was “100% serious” about the idea and announced his intention to create a spiritual successor to Minecraft.

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Notch promises a fresh take on familiar concepts

Despite the buzz, Notch made it clear that his new project won’t be a direct sequel to Minecraft. In a response to a user, he emphasized that while the game will carry the essence of Minecraft, it won’t be titled Minecraft 2. Instead, the project will aim to deliver a similar experience without infringing on Microsoft’s ownership of the original game’s IP.

This statement reassured fans that the new game would offer the creativity and open-ended exploration that made Minecraft so beloved, while also carving its own identity.

Fans are divided over the news

Notch’s announcement has generated mixed reactions online. Many fans are excited about the possibility of revisiting a Minecraft-like experience crafted by its original creator. The idea of a spiritual successor has stirred nostalgia and curiosity about what fresh ideas Notch might bring to the table.

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Still, some feel unsure as they wonder if this new game will hold the charm of the first or seem like a copy of past work. Gamers also wait to see if Microsoft will react, as Notch plans to steer clear of rights issues. With this news, Notch has sparked talks about his role in the game world. While much is still unknown, the idea of a new game from the Minecraft maker sets up big hopes. Fans will keep a close eye on what comes next.

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