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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Markus “Notch” Persson briefly floated a Minecraft-like spiritual successor in January 2025, then changed direction days later to his dungeon-crawler project, Levers and Chests. He called the idea “basically” Minecraft 2, but it was not an official sequel, and no Microsoft partnership was confirmed. As of August 18, 2026, his X profile still describes him as working on Levers and Chests.
What did Notch actually propose?
On January 1, 2025, Persson asked followers on X to choose between continuing a game he had described as a traditional roguelike blended with a tile-based, first-person dungeon crawler, or making a game similar to Minecraft. The Minecraft-like option won the poll by a wide margin in contemporaneous coverage. Persson then said he was serious and had “basically announced minecraft 2.” His post on X and PC Gamer’s report on the poll document the exchange.
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That sequence was a public expression of interest, not a conventional game reveal: it did not establish a final title, a release plan, or a Microsoft-backed production. “Minecraft 2” was Persson’s informal description of a possible spiritual successor, not confirmation that an official sequel was in development.
Why it was not an official Minecraft 2
Persson created the original game and co-founded Mojang, but he no longer owns the Minecraft franchise. Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion, and Persson left the company. A sequel using the franchise’s name and rights would therefore require the relevant involvement or permission from Microsoft/Mojang; Persson’s independent idea was framed as a distinct spiritual successor. PC Gamer’s coverage explains that ownership context.
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- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
A spiritual successor can take inspiration from broad ideas such as crafting, exploration, survival, or building without being a continuation of the original franchise. That does not automatically make any particular implementation legally safe: branding, artwork, code, characters, and distinctive expressive elements raise different questions. Persson’s stated intention not to “sneakily infringe” was an intention, not legal clearance, and the available reporting does not establish the precise terms of his sale agreement.
Was Microsoft going to work with him?
No confirmed collaboration appears in the available reporting. Persson acknowledged that Microsoft and Mojang controlled Minecraft, said he did not intend to infringe on their work, and indicated that an actual sequel was Microsoft’s decision. Those comments do not show that Microsoft contacted him, licensed the property, or agreed to develop a game with him. Describing him as “willing to work with Microsoft” overstates what was confirmed.
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- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Why did he change direction?
On January 10, 2025, Persson said that after speaking with his team, they would make Levers and Chests instead. He described the Minecraft-like direction as less interesting and worried it could become a nostalgia-driven recreation rather than a fresh game. His announcement is reported by PC Gamer and appears in his X post.
There is no verified evidence in those accounts that Microsoft or its lawyers forced the change. The explanation Persson gave was a creative decision after discussion with his team; attributing the reversal to legal pressure would be speculation.
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- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
What is Levers and Chests?
Persson’s alternative is described as a dungeon-crawler roguelike or roguelite drawing on traditional roguelikes and first-person dungeon crawlers, with influences including ADOM, Nethack, Legend of Grimrock, and Eye of the Beholder. He had discussed or shown the project before the poll. His X profile still identifies Levers and Chests as his project as of August 18, 2026.
That profile description is a status signal, not a release commitment. The available sources establish no release date, platform list, price, public playable build, or Microsoft deal for either Levers and Chests or the proposed successor.
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What should players take away?
- Notch did briefly propose making a Minecraft-like spiritual successor and personally used the phrase “basically announced minecraft 2.”
- It was not an official Microsoft or Mojang sequel announcement.
- He switched direction to Levers and Chests on January 10, 2025; his X profile continued to describe that project in August 2026.
- A future Minecraft-like project cannot be ruled out, but the cited updates do not establish one as active now.
The story drew attention because it joined the original creator’s name to the possibility of a successor to a hugely recognizable game. But Minecraft continued to evolve at Mojang after Persson’s departure, and a separate game by him would not itself represent the current franchise or its development team.
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