A new report suggests that a Minecraft real-time strategy game is in development. Giant Bomb co-founder Jeff Gerstmann started the rumor. Gerstmann made the comments on his Twitch channel during a recent live stream.
On the stream, Gerstmann said “There’s a new Minecraft game in development. I don’t know if this is something that will be announced at the Microsoft event, but there is a Minecraft ongoing spin-off. It should be noted that if this is true, this game would not be the first Minecraft spin off. Since Microsoft took over Mojang, it has worked on several games using the license such as Story Mode, Earthand Dungeons.
Gerstmann went on to describe this spin-off as a “sort of RTS,” where you control units from a third-person perspective. Interestingly, although the game looks unfinished, Gerstmann noted that it looks “pretty advanced” and that he wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft announced it soon. Thus the appearance of a Minecraft RTS at this year’s Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase may not be out of the question.
As for its developer, it doesn’t look like Mojang will take full responsibility for it. Instead, Double Eleven, team behind Minecraft Dungeons, is thought to do so. He has also previously worked on prison architect and Repression 3.
It makes sense
From a business perspective, another Minecraft spin-off makes sense. Minecraft Dungeons performed exceptionally well in providing an easier entry into the dungeon crawler genre. Likewise, real-time strategy games are notoriously difficult to get into, so a newcomer-friendly take on the genre might help. Additionally, it aligns with Microsoft’s clear goal of extending the Minecraft mark further. It is already recognized as one of the leading sandbox survival games. And it has the potential to become so much more.