Microsoft is opening a new marketplace for Minecraft, and will complement it will a new currency.
The new marketplace will let businesses sell their original content and creations to the estimated 121-million Minecraft users.
A statement from Microsoft reads: “The idea is to give Minecraft creators another way to make a living from the game, allowing them to support themselves in the creation of ever-greater projects, while giving Pocket and Windows 10 players access to a growing catalogue of fun stuff – curated and supplied by us, safely and simply.
“To make all this happen, we’re introducing Minecraft Coins which you can buy using in-app purchases on your device.
“Coins let creators set flexible prices and take their share of what they sell.”
A public beta of the new currency will be available on Android in mid-April, with creator content to follow later in the year.
Minecraft already offers a store within the game but is limited to items created by the Minecraft development team. The new developments will allow third-party developers to sell their wares as well.
The Minecraft Marketplace will be available on Windows, iOS, Android, as well as the Apple TV, the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR virtual reality platforms, and Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Among the platforms where it won’t be available are Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation games consoles.
The new coins can be bought through any supported device that features an app store.
Microsoft debuts Minecraft coins, marketplace
