One of the best-selling online game Minecraft is to develop into a real-life vacation spot, as a part of a multi-million-pound deal between theme park operator Merlin Entertainments and online game developer Mojang Studios.
Merlin mentioned it had agreed to an preliminary £85 million (US$107.5 million) take care of the Swedish firm to create points of interest based mostly on the sport at its present parks in Britain and the US in 2026 and 2027.
It then plans to develop the idea to lodging, retail and eating places, plus a trip based mostly on the favored 3D sandbox recreation, earlier than widening it out internationally.
Merlin Entertainments chief govt Scott O’Neil referred to as the deal “a big milestone”.
“Minecraft is the best-selling online game of all time and this world-first will see followers expertise its thrill and creativity in actual life at theme parks and metropolis centre points of interest in main vacationer locations,” he added.
Kayleen Walters, vice-president, franchise growth for gaming at Microsoft, which acquired Mojang in 2014, referred to as it “an extremely thrilling step” which might assist broaden the sport’s attraction.
Minecraft is the best-selling online game of all time, with greater than 140 million gamers every month.
A live-action film is due for launch subsequent yr, whereas Netflix has additionally introduced plans for an animated collection.
Merlin operates a lot of main theme parks and vacationer points of interest, together with Legoland, Peppa Pig Theme Park and Madame Tussauds waxwork museum.
