Minecraft makes High Street debut

The five-million selling PC download sensation Minecraft will make its retail debut in GAME next month.

Like other downloadable Xbox 360 content, such as extra maps in Halo and Call of Duty, shoppers will be able to purchase Minecraft in-store in the form of a digital download code, which they can later redeem on Xbox Live.

We’re very pleased Minecraft is coming out on Xbox Live and I think it shows the commitment to bringing out great quality games on that platform,” Xbox Live’s UK product manager Pav Bhardwaj told MCV.

As with any anticipated new digital content release, we expect to see an increase in Microsoft Point sales both at retail and directly through Xbox Live.

The four Arcade Next games will also be available at selected GAME stores as part of our ongoing digital code distribution business model.”

Minecraft is one of four downloadable games Microsoft is releasing as part of its Arcade Next promotion which kicked off earlier this week, with the arrival of stunt bike action title Trials Evolution on Wednesday, April 18th. Fantasy action game Bloodforge follows on April 25th. Both are priced at 1,200 Microsoft Points each (around 10).

Multiplayer-focused adventure Fable Heroes launches on April 25th for 800 Points (around 7). Minecraft completes the promotion on May 9th, priced at 1,600 Microsoft Points (around 14).

Microsoft will be supporting the Arcade Next promotion at retail with posters, banners and other point-of-sale materials. A trailer has debuted on Xbox Live, which will be followed up with advertising on Xbox channels and activity on the Xbox Community Network through social media.