The global video game phenomenon Minecraft is venturing into the real world for the first time through a worldwide agreement to create entertainment parks featuring themed rides, attractions, hotels, and retail stores, initially set to open in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Minecraft has partnered with UK-based Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s largest theme park operator and the world’s second-largest after Disney. Merlin manages over 135 attractions across 23 countries, including Alton Towers, Legoland, Sea Life, Madame Tussauds, and the London Eye.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merlin will invest over £85 million ($110 million) in the first two attractions. According to a report in The Guardian, the parks are scheduled to open in the UK and the US in 2026 and 2027, either within existing theme parks or as new standalone attractions.
In the long term, the two companies plan to expand their strategic collaboration, titled “Adventures Made Real,” to other countries and regions.
Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, boasting 140 million monthly players across diverse locations, including Antarctica and Vatican City. Over 1.3 trillion videos related to Minecraft have been uploaded by gamers on YouTube.
Source: CNA
