Markus “Notch” Persson, the creator of Minecraft and founder of Mojang Studios, has been out of the gaming spotlight for nearly a decade. After selling Mojang to Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014, he stepped away from game development, choosing an early retirement. However, in early January, Persson surprised fans by hinting at a return, launching a poll on social media to gauge interest in his next project.
With Minecraft still thriving after 13 years, selling over 300 million copies and inspiring millions of players worldwide, the prospect of its original creator working on a new game has sparked excitement and speculation.
Now, Persson has made his decision—and it is not Minecraft 2.
Notch’s Post-Mojang Life
After leaving Mojang, Persson embraced an early retirement for nearly a decade. However, he signaled a potential return to game development through a poll on his social media accounts in early January. The question he posed was simple yet intriguing: Should his next project be a completely new game, or should he pursue a sequel to Minecraft?
Persson revealed that his new game would likely be a roguelike, but he sought feedback from fans to determine whether they preferred a fresh start or a continuation of Minecraft. While a Minecraft sequel would require Microsoft’s legal approval, developing a standalone game would be entirely within Persson’s control.
The Poll and Community Reaction
Fans offered diverse opinions. Some encouraged Persson to create whatever brought him joy, while others were eager for a Minecraft 2. In his responses, Persson emphasized his love for game development, stating that making games is what he loves.
However, he also expressed reservations about creating a Minecraft sequel. Persson acknowledged that attempting a sequel without Microsoft’s involvement would be legally impossible. Even creating a spiritual successor, he noted, risked falling into mediocrity, as nostalgia often overshadowed innovation.
Shifting Focus to Levers and Chests
Just two days after launching the poll, Persson announced his decision. Despite strong support for a Minecraft 2, he and his team opted to develop a roguelike dungeon crawler titled Levers and Chests.
While some fans expressed disappointment, Persson defended his choice, explaining that spiritual successors often carry a bittersweet tone of nostalgia. He reassured fans that the new game would deliver an engaging experience.
The Challenges of Collaboration
When asked about the possibility of working with Microsoft to develop Minecraft 2, Persson was open but realistic. He acknowledged that collaboration could be challenging, saying, “If Microsoft, for some reason, would want me to do it, and we, somehow, agreed on the terms, I’d absolutely be willing to do that.”This may have contributed to Microsoft’s decision to remove all references to Notch in Minecraft and to exclude him from the game’s tenth-anniversary celebration in 2019. Microsoft has since distanced itself from Persson, with his name only appearing in the game’s credits, largely due to his controversial statements and social media activity. One of the most significant incidents was his active involvement in discussions around “Gamergate,” a highly controversial online harassment campaign targeting specifically women and minorities in the gaming space, that began in 2014.
His remarks did not sit well with many in the gaming community, and the controversy deepened when he followed up with inflammatory statements. Given the situation, Microsoft has taken deliberate steps to distance Minecraft from its original creator, choosing to focus on the game’s community and ongoing development rather than its past.
Get a deeper insight into GamerGate here.
Since Microsoft’s acquisition of Mojang, the company has not shown interest in developing a direct sequel to Minecraft. The original game has sold over 300 million copies, cementing its status as the best-selling game of all time. However, several post-acquisition projects from Mojang Studios, including the canceled space sandbox game 0x10c, highlight the risks of ambitious undertakings.
As for Persson’s new project, its ultimate form and release date remain unknown. He has promised to develop a game that respects Minecraft’s legacy without infringing on Mojang’s intellectual property. He also emphasized that the new title would not be story-driven but might undergo early access testing to ensure alignment with community feedback.
From Notch’s recent tweets, Levers and Chest will retain a voxel/pixelated art style similar to Minecraft, ensuring a familiar aesthetic for fans of sandbox and creative games. With major projects like the upcoming Minecraft movie set to release on April 4, renewed excitement around the franchise could indirectly benefit Levers and Chests by reminding players of Persson’s role in shaping one of the most influential games of all time.
Disclaimer: Annenberg Media and the writer do not endorse Markus Persson’s past statements or views. This article aims to report on his return to game development and its potential impact on the gaming industry.