Review: Minecraft Is Still Getting Better Over 15 Years After Its Original Release
Minecraft continues to thrive 15 years after its initial release, maintaining its popularity with regular updates and new content. Despite concerns over Microsoft's 2014 acquisition, the game's charm and player base have only grown. The latest version, Minecraft 26.1, introduces new blocks, mechanics, mobs, and challenges not present in earlier iterations.
- ▪Minecraft was created by Swedish programmer Markus 'Notch' Persson over a single weekend in May 2009.
- ▪Notch founded Mojang Studios in Stockholm to develop the official 1.0.0 version, released in November 2011.
- ▪Microsoft acquired Mojang Studios and Minecraft in September 2014 after the game sold 54 million copies and reached 100 million registered users.
- ▪The latest version, Minecraft 26.1, released in March, includes new blocks, mechanics, mobs, and challenges.
- ▪Minecraft revolutionized the sandbox survival genre with its blocky visuals, crafting system, and multiplayer modes.
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Video Games Review: Minecraft Is Still Getting Better Over 15 Years After Its Original Release Contrary to the concerns of big-is-bad types, the game's charm has only grown since its Big Tech acquisition. Jack Nicastro | From the June 2026 issue Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/04/minisMinecraft-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="Minecraft screenshot" alt="Minecraft screenshot | Photo: Minecraft/Microsoft" /> (Photo: Minecraft/Microsoft) With its iconic blocky visual style, intuitive crafting system, rewarding resource acquisition, and many…
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