Summary
Minecraftis now hitting its 15th anniversary, and the game’s age has come with many experiments—from multimedia ventures to major spin-off titles. The latter aspect has seen its upsides and downsides over the years, but there’s one game in the largerMinecraftfranchise that deserves a second wind.
Minecraft’s spin-offs have had a spotty history, with recent examples going through a particularly rough time.Minecraft Dungeonshad a relatively solid lifetime, with years of DLC and updates before its support ended. On the other hand,Minecraft Legendshad less than a year in the limelight when plans for future content dried up. Both games were criticized for being bare-bones takes on their respective genres and making little use of theirMinecraftcoat of paint.Legendsespecially was noted by many as lacking involvement from Mojang.
Minecraft Earth Deserves A Second Chance
Though short-lived, at least games likeDungeonsandLegendsgot a chance to prove themselves in the court of public opinion. However,Minecraft Earthwas shut downbefore it really got a chance to live. The augmented-reality title was announced in 2019 and set to compete withPokemon GO, allowing players to harvest resources by walking out and about for use in building structures. With popularMinecraftYouTubers like Grian and Mumbo Jumbo onboard promoting the title, many players gravitated towards its early access release.
Unfortunately for the fledgling app,Minecraft Earth’s early access periodwas the most it would ever get.Minecraft Earthwas killed in the cradle due to the pandemic and other reasons, all while its competitorPokemon GOweathered the storm with features that made it playable indoors. It’s an incredible shame that the title has been abandoned ever since; the AR market is full of untapped potential, and the continued life ofPokemon GOproves as much. A game that combines the charm ofMinecraft’s block-riddled climes with the beauty of the outside world is one with incredible potential.
It’s A Great Time For A Minecraft AR Game
Even in its early access state,Minecraft Earthreceived update supportand solid reception—with 1.4 million downloads in its first week. If it weren’t for the pandemic and other issues,Minecraft Earthcould have easily carved out a space in the AR market. As it stands, there’s nothing to stop Mojang from bringing the game back with a bang. Not only does a smorgasbord of assets and code already exist, butMinecraftis even more popular now than it was in 2019. Moreover, the revitalization of something that fell so hard by the wayside is sure to attract attention, especially with all the aforementioned infrastructure that could bringMinecraft Earthback bigger than ever.
In addition, despite its popularity,Pokemon GOis not without its own flaws. The app is absolutely riddled with bugs, something a refurbishedMinecraft Earthcould exploit. If Mojang throws its powerhouse weight behind such a spinoff, the title could really take off. That’s not to say it could easily unseat the titan that isPokemon GOand the near-decade it has under its belt, but it’s more than possible forMinecraft Earthto take a sizable slice of the AR pie.
Mojang Would Need To Go All-In On A New Minecraft Earth
On that subject,Minecraft Earth’s success would hinge on how much support Mojang would be willing to throw at it. Ifleft to flounder likeMinecraft Legends, the game will die off again. This provokes the same dilemma otherMinecraftspinoffs have faced, being the extent to which Mojang should devote resources to a side project instead of the original game. If theMinecraft Earthroute is chosen, though, the latter option is the only viable way to keep such an app kicking.
Minecraft
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
