The Guardian reports that Merlin Entertainments and Minecraft have signed a contract to create two theme park dedicated to the game, in the UK and US. The cost is estimated to be around PS85m ($110m). Merlin Entertainments, the second largest theme park operator globally after Disney, has signed a deal to create two parks dedicated to Minecraft in the UK and US. The cost is estimated at around PS85 million ($110 million).
The parks will open in 2026 or 2027. However, the locations have not yet been confirmed. The tagline for the parks is "Adventures made Real". Get ready for some very excited executives:
Kayleen Walters, a Microsoft employee, said: "We're everywhere digitally and Merlin is everywhere physically." "It's about how we can expand Minecraft beyond the video game. Mojang, Microsoft and Merlin are experts in Minecraft and the brand. Merlin is the expert on location-based experiences. It's a shared vision."
Love a shared view. Microsoft has treated Minecraft with great care since its 2014 acquisition of Mojang Studios, which cost $2.5 billion. But this is just the latest in a series of major brand extensions. Most notably, the dodgy looking Minecraft movie and upcoming Netflix show.
Merlin's chief executive Scott O'Neil said, "When we are looking for partners, we look at the right people and scale." "We are in 23 different countries: Which brands can compete at this level? You must be one of the largest brands in the entire world. We have partnered up with the number 1 toy brand Lego, the number 1 toddler brand Peppa Pig and now the largest videogame Minecraft. Bringing Minecraft to live will be one of the biggest joys. This is only the beginning. Our aspirations are big."
The parks will reportedly contain "digitally enabled experiences" as well as "touchpoints", where guests can unlock exclusive in-game content. We are also promised "first-of its-kind concepts" in terms of Minecraft-themed restaurants and accommodation. So if you have ever wanted to sleep on a bed made out of blocks, start saving.
The announcement includes a few concept images that are a bit creepy, as they feature ghostly silhouettes, and a teaser video showing off a (virtual), Minecraft rollercoaster complete with Minecart. The images are not clear as to what they will look like in the final parks. They show Steve and various biomes, along with kids petting different Minecraft animals.
It's hard to deny that the deal is a good one. Minecraft is easily the most bankable of all game properties, and Nintendo World has proven that it can work. Microsoft announced in 2023 that Minecraft had sold over 300,000,000 copies since its launch in 2011. Grand Theft Auto V is behind it with only 205,000,000. It remains popular among young children.
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