Minecraft, the gaming global phenomenon, is to become a real-life destination in a deal with a UK-based theme park owner.
Merlin, the owner of Legoland, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, has agreed on a deal with Mojang Studios, the creator behind the globally popular sandbox game, to invest more than £85 million in the first two Minecraft attractions in its existing UK and US parks between 2026 and 2027.
Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time, with 140 million players each month.
A Minecraft film is due for release next April featuring Hollywood stars including Jason Momoa and Jack Black, and earlier this year Netflix announced plans to release an animated series based on the game.
In 2005, Merlin struck a deal with Lego to buy its four Legoland theme parks.
In 2022, it signed a deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to bring the Hollywood film franchise Jumanji to its parks, with a range of rides and attractions opening at Chessington in the UK last year.
Earlier this year, Merlin announced an expansion of its Peppa Pig deal to create rides and attractions in Duplo-themed areas at a number of its parks.
Merlin said the parks will include “first-of-its-kind concepts” for Minecraft-themed accommodation, retail and restaurants plus a Minecraft-themed ride.
These would be expanded to other global destinations in the long-term.
Merlin Entertainments chief executive Scott O’Neil said: “This is a significant milestone for Merlin, which reinforces our commitment to reaching new audiences through bold and captivating concepts and directly supports our ambitions for growth.
“Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, and this world-first will see fans experience its thrill and creativity in real life, at theme parks and city-centre attractions in leading tourist destinations.”
Kayleen Walters, vice-president of franchise development for gaming at Microsoft, which acquired Mojang in 2014, said: “Partnering…
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