Microsoft has announced a new Minecraft mobile game, Minecraft Earth will be an augmented reality game similar to Pokémon Go, will be available this summer.
As players explore their communities they will have opportunities to fight mobs, gather resources and go on adventures with friends. The press release did not go into detail on what these adventures might look like but if it’s similar to Pokémon Go, players will fight raids and have to defend specific points from mobs and other players.
Microsoft has confirmed that the Minecraft Earth will be free-to-play on Android and iOS, with a closed beta in the summer. Players who do sign up will receive a free skin for doing so.
Interestingly, Microsoft makes note that the game will not have loot boxes, which is nice but also leaves open other forms of microtransactions and monetization.
RYAN R. HAY 