Minecraft Closure Begins as Players Told Game is Shutting Down on Some Devices
In a recent announcement, Minecraft enthusiasts using specific devices have been delivered a blow, as the beloved game is officially halting its support on certain gadgetry. This decision is effective immediately, prompting users to transition to different devices if they wish to continue their gaming experience.
Specifically, players using virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets will find themselves unable to access Minecraft through these previously supported platforms. The tech giant Microsoft, which owns Minecraft, had initially planned to execute this shutdown by March 2025, following a disclosure made in October. However, as observed recently, the support has ended slightly later than the anticipated schedule, spreading surprise among the gaming community.
This change requires players formerly reliant on VR or MR headsets to pivot to alternative devices, primarily recommending a standard PC with a computer monitor for a seamless transition. Despite this shift, players can take solace in the fact that their Minecraft accounts and built worlds remain intact. They will simply need to access their creations through non-VR/MR platforms.
“Our capability to support VR/MR devices has reached its conclusion,” stated a representative from Microsoft’s Minecraft team. “We are confident that players will still enjoy the game via PC, sans the VR/MR support, and continue to receive updates on this platform.”
Existing content, including purchases from the Marketplace and Minecoins, will be accessible on conventional graphics devices such as a computer monitor. Unfortunately, VR/MR devices will no longer be compatible with the latest Minecraft updates.
While Microsoft has not provided explicit reasons for this cessation, it is speculated that the dwindling number of players using VR headsets doesn’t justify the resources needed for continued support and development for these gadgets. With Minecraft boasting over 200 million players logging on monthly, the VR user base represents a minority compared to the majority accessing the game via computers, gaming consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, or mobile devices such as iPhones and Androids.
Minecraft’s journey with VR headsets began in 2016 with the Oculus Rift, eventually expanding to include support for systems like Sony’s PlayStation VR. The halt marks an end to its era of VR compatibility, aligning with Microsoft’s broader strategic decisions.
Since Microsoft acquired Minecraft and its developer Mojang in 2014 for a whopping $2.5 billion, the game has soared in popularity, becoming one of the best-selling games of all time with its hundreds of millions of copies sold. Despite the setback for VR enthusiasts, there remains plenty of excitement within the Minecraft universe, including the much-anticipated release of a live-action film titled “A Minecraft Movie,” set to premiere in cinemas this April.
This transition may be bittersweet for players attached to their VR/MR experiences, yet Microsoft assures a promising path forward, with continued developments and experiences on more traditional gaming platforms.
