Minecraft is digging its own grave with its latest release on XBLA - and by "grave" we refer to "lavish gold-plated throne rooms with an indoor pool as well as grape-feeding robots." Today's tweet from Markus "Notch", Markus Persson who is a Minecraft developer, revealed that Minecraft became profitable within an hour of its launch through XBLA. This is in addition to Notch's multimillion-dollar PC version.
Based on the leaderboard participation figures, Minecraft sold more than 400000 copies in a span of 24 hours, Notch said. Minecraft broke digital sales records for the console, selling more copies than any other XBLA game on its debut day according to Microsoft.
Notch tweeted earlier today that he had Minecraft sales figures (turns out, they were the above leaderboard figures). This led to a discussion about the inner workings XBLA developer contracts and Fez's Polytron. Polytron isn't yet aware of Fez's exact figures despite the fact that the report was released a month ago.
"Standard procedure" according to Polytron is "you discover the amount you've sold when you receive your first check three to four months later." Notch believed that getting immediate figures was the norm but he was not interested in negotiations over contracts and doesn't know what it says about the subject.
Polytron wrote that Minecraft also gets free updates. "This is something that every other developer on this platform is told is simply impossible." Notch responded: "We had fought for that, but only received only a handful of them. It's not clear why they don't want it."
We may have discovered Notch's secret talent and secret to his success: fighting an agreement, not negotiating, and winning.
MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION BREAKS DIGITAL SALES RECORDS Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT program delivers two back-to-back record-breaking titles in four weeks
Microsoft today announced that Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition the console version of the immensely popular PC game created by Mojang has surpassed all previous records for digital sales, selling more than any other title within the first 24 hours on Xbox LIVE Arcade.
This is following the footsteps of Trials Evolution, who also broke records for revenue on the first day of sales for the first game of the "Arcade NEXT” program.
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was created by 4J Studios in conjunction with Mojang and Microsoft Studios, and introduces new gameplay experiences such as an exclusive crafting menu as well as game tutorials and split-screen multiplayer. It also offers online multiplayer for up to eight players on Xbox LIVE.
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1600 Microsoft Points, and is the final game of the "Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT" lineup, with also included Trials Evolution (Redlynx), Bloodforge (Climax) and Fable Heroes (Lionhead).
For more information about the 360, click here.