How did Minecraft become the best-selling video game of all time?

The answer

Minecraft, created by Swedish developer Markus 'Notch' Persson, was first released as an alpha on May 17, 2009, and fully launched on November 18, 2011. As of 2024, it has sold over 300 million copies across all platforms, making it the best-selling video game ever. The game's blocky, deliberately low-resolution aesthetic was born from necessity - Notch built the prototype in just six days. Its open-ended sandbox design, with no fixed objectives, allows players to build, explore, and survive freely. Microsoft acquired Minecraft's developer, Mojang Studios, in September 2014 for $2.5 billion - a price many analysts mocked at the time. The game now has over 170 million monthly active players and has been used in classrooms worldwide as an educational tool, with a dedicated Minecraft: Education Edition used by over 35 million students.