Notes

Minecraft: new Marketplace For Community Creators

Minecraft A new marketplace for community creators By Steffan Powell Newsbeat reporter



10 April 2017



Minecraft is determined to make it easier to access content created by community members and fans.



Many users already build complex worlds to explore, adventure games to play or even alter the game itself to offer new experiences within it.
MINECRAFT SERVERS


They will now be able to sell content via the game in the new Minecraft Marketplace.



"We are looking to allow entrepreneurs to set up businesses through our platform," producer John Thornton says to Newsbeat.



The people who make adventure maps, character skin packs or experiences for the game have not been allowed to sell directly to other players.



Only officially licensed Minecraft content could be sold that way, but it hasn't stopped some players from making a living from the game.



James Delaney is the founder of Blockworks, an organization made up of Minecraft creators. He's managed to create a business despite all of the restrictions.



The Marketplace is welcome news for him.



"Hopefully it's the beginning of a regular and steady income," he tells Newsbeat.



"In the past we've been relying on commissions to come in, and you're never quite sure when that is."



He's the head of 62 creators in 20 countries.



Their main source income comes from creating Minecraft-based content to aid in educational and marketing campaigns.



James "got very interested in" creating Minecraft maps with his friends online and realised some time later that there was a way to make money.



"At least we know there is an audience there for our content," he says.



"If it's a success, we know we can keep working on more regular and stable basis.



"Also, it's content that we can choose to produce instead of being told to create it, so we can control the content's creative direction."



The marketplace will be available on both Pocket and Windows 10 versions of the game.



It means the majority of the estimated 120 million users of Minecraft around the world will be able to access it however, those who play on consoles won't.



"Our goal is to connect creators with our players," says John Thornton.



"On Pocket edition, it can be difficult to get content onto devices. This makes it challenging for users and creators to share their favorite content with the world.



"By connecting creators with the marketplace, it will be easier for players to find something they like, buy it, and then store it available on their devices."



People will still be able to create community experiences outside of the marketplace, and users will be having access to them for no cost.



Producers hope that consumers will choose to pay for content that is easy to find.



"If you are planning to share content today, you must put it online and tell people where to find it," says John.



"You can make use of existing social networks to accomplish this, but it's more efficient if you incorporate that into the game."



"Players are able to interact with things they love in the context of the game they play."



He hopes that the game will enable James to establish an effective business.



The Minecraft team has launched the new service with nine creators from across the globe to start.



The central Minecraft team will be monitoring adventure maps, skin packs and experiences to ensure they are appropriate for the players of the game.



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