Minecraft won't go free-to-play due to its unique monetization strategy and values. The game's core appeal to children ensures its longevity and constant player base. Minecraft's success as a premium product with multiple revenue streams proves it doesn't need to pivot.

Mojang confirmed that there are no plans for a sequel to Minecraft in an interview for IGN, humorously comparing the idea to creating an “Earth 2.” Despite being 15 years old, Minecraft remains immensely popular, and the developers aim to support and evolve the game for at least another 15 years.

Minecraft is massive; it's the best-selling game ever made and is even more popular in 2025 than it was back when it launched in 2011. But following Minecraft, the majority of hyper-popular game releases on that level have been free-to-play games like Fortnite,