Microsoft is Set to Open the Minecraft Marketplace

This Spring, Microsoft will open its Minecraft Marketplace, an online store that will supply third-party maps, avatar skins, texture packs and other items across the modern platforms supported by the blockbuster game.

“Bringing other creators in to sell their goods is good for players, as it enables access to a ton of different kinds of content,” Microsoft’s John Thornton writes. “We know that people want to change the look of Minecraft to be what they want.”

“There are also a number of individuals who look at Minecraft as a platform for entrepreneurialism, looking for a way to make a living doing something they love,” he adds. “For players, this is the best way to get content easily in the game, and for creators this ends up being a source of revenue for them, so they can continue to make fantastic creations for all the players.”

Sounds like a win-win then.

As with other modern online stores, the Minecraft Marketplace will be curated by Microsoft to ensure that its offerings are professional, useful and safe. The store will utilize a virtual currency called Minecraft Coins, however, which seems like a weird step backwards. (Most online stores just utilize your local currency these days.)

The Minecraft Marketplace will be available directly from within Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition and Minecraft: Pocket Edition (Android, iOS, Apple TV, Gear VR, Oculus and Amazon Kindle) once the Discovery Update arrives later this spring, Microsoft says. Minecraft creators Noxcrew, BlockWorks, Qwertyuiop The Pie, Blockception, Sphax, Eneija Silverleaf, Imagiverse, Polymaps and Razzleberry Fox will supply content in the store at launch. But others who would like to participate should check out the Minecraft Partner Program.