Minecraft XBLA delayed until Spring 2012

By Fred Dutton Published 24 October, 2011

Console port makes playable debut at MineCon.

The Xbox Live Arcade port of indie world-building sensation MineCraft is due out in Spring 2012, rather than this Winter as originally planned, Microsoft Game Studios has announced.

The console port will make its playable debut at the inaugural MineCon event in Las Vegas, taking place on the 18th and 19th of November.

"Minecraft for Xbox 360 is currently in heavy development and we are very happy with the progress," read a post on Mojang's official site.

"[Game designer] Daniel is working tightly with the 4J team to coordinate Notch's design decisions. We want to keep the core experience of the original PC version intact, while ensuring the game fits its new platform."

Dundee-based 4J is responsible for porting the game. Creator Marcus 'Notch' Persson earlier this year discussed how the XBLA version will feature a radically over-hauled user interface.

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About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (7) Latest comment 7 months ago

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  • 32768Colours #1 7 months ago

    Can't wait to see how this turns out. Its a genuinely great indie game. I've had to keep myself away from the PC veresion for a while though because every time I start playing it I end up on it until silly o'clock in the morning!

  • captain-hurrdurr #2 7 months ago

    Shame. I was really looking forward to playing this in the winter. At least I can home my creeper training skills in the mean time.....

  • Xardan #3 7 months ago

    Sounds like it could be a good port. A delay means extra care and polish.

  • subjectxen #4 7 months ago

    With Microsoft's restrictions on the amount of free DLC a game can get before they need to start charging, and the amount of time some patches take to get through certification, I can't see Minecraft on 360 doing very well post-launch.

  • Mayernator87 #5 7 months ago

    I dont mind, as "Xardan" said. Delays mean care and polish. I like how they're trying to keep it faithful to the PC version aswell.

  • Ranger101 #6 7 months ago

    Makes sense - Notch keeps adding extra amazing stuff, especially The Enderworld, Enderdragons, potions and enchantments and animal breeding(!). It would eb a shame if the 360 version didn't have those.

    Also... TOO MANY GAMES TO PLAY THIS WINTER!!!!!
    Edited by Ranger101 at 25/10/11 @ 12:57

  • Sunyavadin #7 7 months ago

    Arcas must be pleased. Gives him time to finish coding Fortresscraft's Tower Defence gameplay to distinguish the games a bit more, before people emigrate en masse to Minecraft.