Yep. It’s official. Markus “Notch” Persson, the creator of Minecraft, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that he’s working on a spiritual successor to his world-changing game.
His post, shared on January 3, 2025, came on the heels of a poll asking fans what type of game they’d prefer him to make next.
Spoiler alert: nostalgia won.
In a candid tweet, Notch laid out his thoughts and intentions:
“I basically announced Minecraft 2.
I thought that maybe people ACTUALLY do want me to make another game that’s super similar to the first one, and I’m loving working on games again.
I don’t super duper care exactly which game I make first (or even if I make more), but I do know I’m making one, so I figured I’d absolutely be willing to give it an honest shot in the form of a spiritual successor to Minecraft and put up a poll about it.
My intentions are to be clear and honest about it, saying that spiritual successors are usually kind of… you know… washed up. Tragic. The things I’m fearing my next game is going to be anyway and try to push myself to avoid. So why not do the thing that people DO want and are willing to give me, somehow, even MORE cash for.
I intend for the money to be spent for good, but my god have I learned I fail a lot. Winning is failing until you make yourself succeed.
Oh and I also very much value being a man of my word, so I also intend to do this in a way that in no way tried to sneakily infringe on the incredible work the Mojang team is doing and that Microsoft is successfully doing the microsoft shiftification about.
And I respect them for doing that. It’s their job. And they, from what I understand, let the studio do things their way, which seems very fair to me.”
Who is Notch?
For the uninitiated, Notch is the mastermind behind Minecraft, the blocky sandbox game that became a global sensation. Released in 2009, Minecraft revolutionized gaming by offering players an open world where creativity and survival coexist. After selling Mojang and the rights to Minecraft to Microsoft in 2014 for a jaw-dropping $2.5 billion, Notch stepped away from game development, leading a more private, albeit occasionally controversial, life.
What’s a Spiritual Successor?
The term “spiritual successor” refers to a game that captures the essence of a previous title without directly copying it or infringing on copyrights. Think of it as a reboot without the legal baggage. Since Microsoft owns Minecraft, Notch can’t legally call his new project Minecraft 2. Instead, he’s planning to create a game with similar vibes but a new identity.
Examples of Successful Spiritual Successors
Notch wouldn’t be the first developer to tread this path. Here are a few notable examples:
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Developed by Koji Igarashi, Bloodstained is a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, bringing back the gothic atmosphere and side-scrolling action fans craved after Konami moved on from the franchise. - Yooka-Laylee
Created by former Rare developers, Yooka-Laylee served as a love letter to Banjo-Kazooie. The game kept the whimsical platforming spirit alive, even if the execution didn’t fully recapture its predecessor’s magic. - Stardew Valley
Inspired by Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley gave fans the farming simulator they wanted, with modern upgrades and indie charm, proving that spiritual successors can sometimes outshine the original.
Wrapping it Up
Honestly, this is the perfect move for Notch. While Minecraft continues to thrive under Microsoft, many fans have wondered what could’ve been if Notch had stayed at the helm. A spiritual successor lets him experiment while still giving fans what they’ve been craving: another dive into his unique creative vision.
But here’s the real question: Can Notch recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of Minecraft? Or will this end up as another overly hyped “washed up” project, as he fears? I, for one, am cautiously optimistic. If anyone can blur the line between nostalgia and innovation, it’s Notch.
What do you think? Is the world ready for a Minecraft-like revival, or should Notch stick with his roguelike dungeon crawler? Let’s hash it out in the comments below!
Sources:
- Notch’s Tweet on Spiritual Successor
- Minecraft Sale to Microsoft
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Review
- Yooka-Laylee’s Development Story
- The Stardew Valley Phenomenon
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