The Return of Notch? The Truth About the «Announcement» of Minecraft 2 and the New Game by the Creator of the Legend

In the gaming industry, there are names that instantly grab attention, and Markus «Notch» Persson is one of them. At the beginning of 2025, the creator of the best-selling game in history found himself at the center of a heated discussion once again. An intriguing social media post, unexpected poll results, and a bold statement about the development of «Minecraft 2» left the community holding its breath. But what is really behind these words?

We delved into the timeline of events: from the viral poll to the legal nuances that prevent a direct sequel.

The Poll That Shook the Internet

It all started with what seemed like an innocent poll on the social network X (formerly Twitter). Markus Persson asked his followers a simple question: what game would they like to see from him in the future?

There were only two options:

1. Minecraft 2 — a hypothetical sequel to the iconic sandbox.
2. A new game, which Notch and his studio are already working on (a mix of traditional roguelike and dungeon crawler).

The result was predictable yet astonishing. Nearly 78% of respondents voted for the first option. The audience made it clear: players crave a return to the roots and want to see how the father of the cubic world would develop his main idea.

«I Basically Announced Minecraft 2»: What Did It Mean?

Notch’s reaction to the poll results was swift. A few days later, he posted a message that many news outlets picked up as a sensation: the developer stated that he had «basically announced Minecraft 2».

However, behind the bold headline was an important clarification. Persson quickly explained that it wasn’t so much a literal promise to release a game with the number «2» in the title, but rather an acknowledgment of the direction he was choosing. He heard the fans’ desires and intends to create a project that will be the spiritual successor to the original.

Legal Deadlock: Why the Name Is Impossible

The main issue with «Minecraft 2» lies not in the code or game design but in the legal field. In 2014, Markus Persson sold his studio Mojang and all rights to the franchise to Microsoft for a staggering $2.5 billion.

This means that Notch has no rights to use the Minecraft brand, its logo, name, or specific assets. Any attempt to release a game called «Minecraft 2» without Microsoft’s permission would result in immediate lawsuits. The developer understands this perfectly, noting that unless Microsoft’s lawyers approach him with an offer (which is highly unlikely), an official sequel from him should not be expected.

What Game Is Notch Actually Making?

Setting aside jokes about the name, it becomes clear that Persson is indeed working on a serious project. He describes his new game as a «spiritual successor» that will bring back the same sense of freedom and creativity that made the first part so beloved, but in an entirely new form.

Here’s what is known about the project so far:

• Genre: It will be a hybrid of traditional roguelike (in the spirit of ADOM or Nethack) and first-person dungeon crawler.
• Inspiration: The developer draws inspiration from classics like Eye of the Beholder and modern genre hits like Legend of Grimrock.
• Development: The project appears to be in its early stages. Notch mentioned that he plans to release the game in early access to develop it alongside the community — just as he did with the original Minecraft.

Community Reaction: Hope and Skepticism

Gamers received the news with mixed feelings. For «veterans» of Minecraft who remember the golden age of indie development in the early 2010s, Notch’s return to active game development is a celebration. Many miss his unique vision and bold experiments, believing that modern Minecraft under corporate management has become too cautious and sterile.

On the other hand, skeptics point out that more than 13 years have passed since the release of the full version of Minecraft, and during that time, Persson hasn’t released any major hits. Can he repeat his success, or will the «spiritual successor» remain just a shadow of its great predecessor?

One thing is clear for now: even if the game isn’t called Minecraft 2, it has already garnered attention. We’ll be following the developments and waiting for the first gameplay footage of this mysterious «successor».

What do you think about this situation? Do you believe Notch can create another masterpiece, or has his time of glory passed? Share your thoughts in the comments!