Microsoft is stopping Minecraft Earth after less than two years. The company had big plans for the augmented reality (AR) game. Released from autumn 2019, Minecraft Earth should be an alternative to the most popular AR game of the time, Pokémon Go. On Tuesday the Minecraft team announced the end.

On 30. June Microsoft officially ends support for Minecraft Earth; from July onwards, the game cannot be downloaded or played. Then all player data will also be deleted. Both the Android and iOS versions are affected.

The reason for discontinuing Minecraft Earth is that the game is designed to be free in the Moving the world and playing together. The Minecraft team notes that this is almost impossible worldwide during the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, Microsoft would rather use its resources elsewhere.

One last update Before that happens, Microsoft will provide one more new – and last – version of Minecraft Earth ready. All real money transactions are removed and the costs for game elements that are paid for with virtual rubies and construction times are significantly reduced. This should make crafting and building easier and safer from home.

There are also some new, previously unpublished game components. Players who are just now registering should get some extra elements for their character at the start and for their limited playing time.

Anyone who has already invested real money as a Minecraft Earth player will get their virtual rubies back as so-called Minecoins. Microsoft accepts these in the Minecraft Marketplace, for example for other Minecraft versions or mini-games. In addition, players who previously made a purchase in Minecraft Earth will receive a free copy of the “Bedrock Edition” Minecrafts.

Build in the Augmented Reality Minecraft Earth has been available in Germany since November 2019 and is based on other augmented reality titles such as Pokémon Go, but takes this technology much more seriously. While the AR functionality in Pokémon Go is just a gimmick that most players never activate or only activate for a short time, Minecraft Earth cannot be played without an activated smartphone camera.

Minecraft Earth: Impressions from the block augmented reality (17 Pictures) The environment reflects Minecraft Earth well despite the blocky look: Buildings are raised, streets and footpaths can be distinguished. (Image: Immo Junghärtchen / heise online) Minecraft Earth shows the world in its well-known block optics based on the Open Streetmap. Real buildings are marked by slight elevations in the game world. In addition, there are actual AR elements such as a construction mode, in which players with activated cell phone cameras can place blocks and creatures on a flat surface such as a table. In this way, buildings and landscapes can be built on a smaller scale that seem to fit into the real world.

At the end, the Minecraft team thanks all players and the Minecraft community. The termination of Minecraft Earth was not an easy decision. The operator hopes that players will get the most out of the final version.

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