â??Full mod supportâ?? included in new Minecraft

Markus Perrson’s popular PC title, Minecraft, is almost ready to launch in ‘beta’ – a significant update that will include numerous enhancements, though at a higher cost to new customers.

The game has already made over $10 million in its so-called ‘alpha phase’ (an irregular label in view of it being fully playable), but Perrson says his team are ready to release the ‘beta’.

Set for launch on December 20th, Minecraft beta will add in “proper modding support with a stable API”, Persson said on his blog.

He added: “We’ll also add some kind of non-intrusive narrative to the game to help drive the game experience early on, and to provide some kind of late game goal.”

All who have already bought Minecraft will receive the beta, and subsequent updates, for free.

From December 20th, new buyers can only get the full beta package for €20 – representing a €7 price hike.

New beta customers will not be guaranteed free DLC, though early ‘alpha’ buyers are promised future content updates will come at no cost.

Perrson also revealed he will soon distribute game gift codes in time for Christmas.

Minecraft mushroomed into a PC phenomenon overnight, and its commercial success led to Perrson opening his own small studio.