Why is Minecraft not free now?

Minecraft is not free because it is a premium, paid game developed and maintained by Mojang Studios (now a part of Microsoft). The price of Minecraft helps cover the ongoing costs of development, updates, server maintenance, and additional features. Here's a breakdown of why Minecraft costs money:

1. Ongoing Development and Updates:

• Minecraft is continuously updated with new features, bug fixes, and improvements. This requires a team of developers, designers, and quality assurance testers. The price of the game helps fund these updates and ensures that the game remains fresh, secure, and enjoyable for all players.
• Over the years, Minecraft has received major updates, like new biomes, mobs, mechanics (e.g., the Caves and Cliffs Update), and new game modes, all of which require significant resources to develop.

2. Multiplayer Servers:

• Multiplayer support (via realms or community-run servers) requires server infrastructure to host these games. This comes with substantial costs for hosting, bandwidth, and ensuring the servers are secure and stable. Mojang provides official Minecraft Realms, which are private servers that players can rent, but maintaining them is an ongoing expense.

3. Content Creation and Licensing:

• Mojang allows user-generated content such as mods, skins, and texture packs. While this content is often free, creating and maintaining the platform for such content (and the marketplace) also incurs costs.
• Official merchandise, partnerships, and collaborations also contribute to the need for revenue, as the game has expanded into multiple forms of media.

4. Quality Assurance:

• Minecraft is a complex game with a large variety of features and platforms. Ensuring that everything works across different devices, from consoles to PCs to mobile devices, requires dedicated quality assurance teams and resources, all of which are funded through the game’s sales.

5. Special Editions and Features:

• Over time, Minecraft has had special editions and new content packs. These can include things like Minecraft: Education Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and Minecraft Marketplace content (for skins, maps, etc.). These extras often require additional funding to develop and support.

6. Minecraft's Business Model:

• Mojang has chosen a one-time purchase model, rather than a free-to-play model with in-game purchases. Players pay once for the game, and then they have access to most of the game's features. However, there are still in-game purchases available, like Minecraft Realms (for multiplayer), skin packs, and other downloadable content (DLC).

7. Free Trials and Discounts:

• While Minecraft is not free, it does offer a free trial for some platforms (e.g., mobile, Windows 10), so players can test out the game before deciding whether to buy it. This helps give players a taste of the game before committing financially.
• Occasional sales, bundles, or discounts (especially on platforms like Xbox, Steam, or PlayStation Store) make the game more affordable at certain times.

8. Avoiding Cheating and Piracy:

• A paid game like Minecraft ensures that most players are using a legitimate version, which helps prevent piracy and cheating. A free version would make it easier for players to download an illegal copy of the game, leading to security and fairness issues in online play.

Why Not Free:

While many games today are free-to-play or have a freemium model (free with optional in-game purchases), Minecraft's pricing model reflects its focus on quality, longevity, and sustainability. By requiring a purchase, Mojang ensures that resources continue to be invested in the game's future, while offering players a premium experience that isn't bogged down by ads or excessive microtransactions.

If you’re looking for a free alternative, Minecraft offers a demo version and some free-to-play alternatives like Terasology or Minetest, though they don't provide the same experience or depth of content as Minecraft.