Minecraft XBLA was Profitable within an Hour and Broke Digital Sale Records
Minecraft is digging its own grave with its latest release on XBLA -- and by "grave" we refer to "lavish gold-plated throne room with an indoor pool and grape-feeding robots." Minecraft was profitable within an hour of its launch on XBLA the developer Markus "Notch" Persson tweeted today. This is in addition to Notch's multimillion-dollar PC version.
Notch reported that Minecraft sold more than 400,000 copies in 24 hours based on the number of people who participated in leaderboards. Minecraft broke digital sales records for the console, selling more copies than any other XBLA title in its first day, according to Microsoft.
Earlier today, Notch tweeted that he had sales figures for Minecraft (turns out that they were the above leaderboard figures), which sparked an argument about the inner workings of XBLA developer contracts with Fez's Polytron. Polytron still doesn't know Fez's exact numbers, even though it was released just a month ago.
"Standard procedure" according to Polytron is "you discover the amount you've sold when you receive your first check three to four months later." Notch believed that getting immediate numbers was the standard however he stayed clear of contract negotiations and doesn't know what it says about the subject.
Minecraft also has free updates, "which is something every other developer on the platform is told is not an option," Polytron wrote. Notch replied: "We had to fight for that, and we got a limited number of them. Not sure why they don't want it."
We may have discovered the secret talent of Notch and key to his success is fighting for something in a contract while staying clear of contract negotiations, and winning.
MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION BREAKS DIGITAL SALES RECORDS Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT program delivers two back-to-back record-breaking titles in four weeks
Microsoft today announced Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Mojang's console version the immensely loved PC game, which has broken all previous records for digital sales. It was the most popular game sold by any other game within the first 24 hours of its release on Xbox LIVE Arcade.
This is following the footsteps of Trials Evolution, who also broke the revenue sales records in its first day of sales for its first game of the "Arcade Next" program.
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was developed by 4J Studios in conjunction with Mojang and Microsoft Studios, and introduces new gaming experiences like a unique crafting menu, game tutorials, and split-screen multiplayer. It also offers online multiplayer that can accommodate up to eight players over Xbox LIVE.
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1600 Microsoft Points, and is the final game in the "Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT" lineup, with also included Trials Evolution (Redlynx), Bloodforge (Climax) and Fable Heroes (Lionhead).
For more information about Minecraft: Xbox 360
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