Block-based gaming juggernaut Minecraft celebrated its 11th anniversary this year. That’s 11 years of digging, crafting and building that has seen Minecraft become the best-selling video game of all time with more than 200 million copies sold.
For reference, second-placed Grand Theft Auto 5 sits way behind on 135 million copies sold. Nothing else comes close at least on desktop. With that kind of pulling power, it’s no surprise Microsoft forked out $2.5 billion to acquire Minecraft from developer Mojang in 2014.
Incredibly, the momentum behind Minecraft shows no signs of slowing. In fact, powered in part by the vast numbers spending more time at home under pandemic measures, Minecraft saw a 25% increase in new players earlier in the year, and a 40% spike in multiplayer sessions.
But Microsoft isn’t the only one licking its lips as new gamers roll in, hungry for extra content and customised items. Players who run their own servers, which enable Minecraft’s giant community to interact and communicate with each other in a single game world, can also offer new and unique experiences.
It’s an enticing opportunity for any content creator, and even for hobbyists and students who may find they have extra time on their hands and wish to monetise their creations by selling in-game items to fans and followers.
The problem is that handling the admin behind content – processing payments, integrating APIs, and managing security just to name a few issues – can be a slow and strenuous process.
The good news for Minecraft server owners, as well at those involved with other games like Rust, CS:GO and Ark, is that new platforms designed to offer a store-front experience are now available to handle the virtual hard work.
These stores are pre-integrated with leading payment partners, so server owners can have them up and running and taking money in a matter of minutes. What’s more, they have anti-fraud features built-in to ensure that payments are not at risk.
As we head towards what is expected be a very digital-based winter in the UK and the UK, audiences for Minecraft and other server-based games could grow further still.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, one positive for any content creator is that there is a huge audience ready to be entertained. Similarly, a positive for any player is that there is a massive amount of content ready to be explored. Let’s connect the two with a simple and secure platform, ensuring many memorable gaming experiences for this year and beyond.