Minecraft is getting an official third party marketplace

Minecraft’s commercial floodgates have been swung open even wider with confirmation of a new content platform.

Microsoft has confirmed that Minecraft’s upcoming Discovery update will include a new Minecraft Marketplace. It will use a dedicated virtual currency called Minecraft Coins, which can be purchased via Xbox Live for real money. No mention is made of earning the currency in-game.

Up for grabs will be items such as maps, skins and texture packs. Content from nine creators will be available at launch. An example of launch day content includes a replica map of London created by Blockception, which evolves through time as the player progresses.

It has not yet been revealed precisely how revenues will be split between Microsoft and its creators, although the company does say that creators will get the majority” of what’s left after the store platforms get their cut.

Bringing other creators in to sell their goods is good for players, as it enables access to a ton of different kinds of content,” Minecraft Realms executive producer John Thornton said. We know that people want to change the look of Minecraft to be what they want.

There are also a number of individuals who look at Minecraft as a platform for entrepreneurialism, looking for a way to make a living doing something they love. For players, this is the best way to get content easily in the game, and for creators this ends up being a source of revenue for them, so they can continue to make fantastic creations for all the players.”

The Discovery update has so far been confirmed for the Windows 10 and mobile editions of the game. Whether or not it will roll out to the PlayStation versions remains to be seen.