Minecraft launches for Android

Minecraft has today launched for Android.

And guess what: this release isn’t a final version, either.

The first version is Alpha 0.1 and is a timed exclusive for the Xperia Play handsets. It costs $6.99 but will eventually roll out to all Android devices.

Dubbed Minecraft – Pocket Edition, this version supports multi-player on a local wireless network and a number of the game’s trademark creative elements for construction.

Developer Mojang, which has handled the port entirely in-house, said it will grow and expand the game with content patches as time goes on, as it has with the original version of the game.

The original has been in alpha and beta for almost two years. The final version is launched in November.

A statement from the firm said: "Just like the PC/Mac/Linux version of Minecraft we’re planning to continue developing the Pocket Edition for a long time with frequent updates. We are eager to hear what the Minecraft community thinks about our new game and what you all want to see in future updates."