Minecraft: Story Mode was a narrative-driven adventure game developed by Telltale Games, a renowned studio known for its episodic graphic adventure games. The game was released in 2015 and was based on the popular sandbox video game Minecraft. In this article, we will explore what happened to Minecraft: Story Mode, from its development to its eventual delisting from digital stores.
Development and Release
Minecraft: Story Mode was first announced in December 2014, and it was released on October 13, 2015, for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices. The game was developed by Telltale Games in collaboration with Mojang, the studio behind Minecraft. The game’s story was written by a team of writers, including Laura Jacqmin, Eric Stirpe, and Luke McMullen.
The game’s narrative follows Jesse, a young adventurer who sets out on a quest to save the world of Minecraft from destruction. The game features a unique art style that blends the blocky, pixelated world of Minecraft with the more realistic character models and animations of Telltale’s other games.
Episodic Structure
Minecraft: Story Mode was released in five episodes, each with its own unique story and gameplay mechanics. The episodes were released over the course of several months, with the final episode being released on March 29, 2016.
The episodic structure of the game allowed Telltale to release new content on a regular basis, keeping players engaged and eager for more. However, it also meant that players had to wait several months for the complete story to be told.
Reception and Criticism
Minecraft: Story Mode received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the game’s engaging story, lovable characters, and faithfulness to the Minecraft franchise. However, some critics felt that the game’s gameplay was too simplistic and that the story was too predictable.
On Metacritic, a review aggregation website, the game has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 22 critic reviews. On Steam, a digital distribution platform, the game has a “mostly positive” overall rating, based on over 12,000 user reviews.
Commercial Performance
Minecraft: Story Mode was a commercial success, with over 10 million players across all platforms. The game’s success can be attributed to the popularity of the Minecraft franchise, as well as the reputation of Telltale Games as a developer of high-quality narrative-driven games.
However, the game’s commercial performance was not without its challenges. In 2017, Telltale Games laid off 25% of its staff, citing financial difficulties. The company’s CEO, Kevin Bruner, also stepped down as CEO, but remained on the board of directors.
Delisting from Digital Stores
In June 2019, Minecraft: Story Mode was delisted from digital stores, including the App Store, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store. The game’s delisting was due to the expiration of Telltale Games’ license to develop Minecraft games.
The delisting of Minecraft: Story Mode was a surprise to many fans, who were not given any warning or notice. The game’s delisting also meant that players who had purchased the game digitally were no longer able to download or play it.
Reasons for Delisting
The reasons for Minecraft: Story Mode’s delisting are complex and multifaceted. One reason is the expiration of Telltale Games’ license to develop Minecraft games. Another reason is the financial difficulties faced by Telltale Games, which led to the company’s eventual closure.
In 2018, Telltale Games laid off the majority of its staff and ceased development on all of its games, including Minecraft: Story Mode. The company’s assets were subsequently sold to LCG Entertainment, a holding company that acquired the rights to Telltale’s games and intellectual properties.
Impact on Players
The delisting of Minecraft: Story Mode has had a significant impact on players, who are no longer able to purchase or play the game digitally. Many players have expressed their disappointment and frustration on social media, with some calling for the game to be re-released or made available on other platforms.
However, it’s worth noting that players who purchased the game physically, such as on disc or cartridge, are still able to play the game. Additionally, some players have reported that they are still able to download and play the game on certain platforms, such as PC and Xbox.
Legacy and Impact
Despite its delisting, Minecraft: Story Mode has had a lasting impact on the world of gaming. The game’s unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative-driven gameplay has influenced a generation of gamers and game developers.
The game’s success also paved the way for other narrative-driven games, such as Life is Strange and What Remains of Edith Finch. These games have built on the foundations laid by Minecraft: Story Mode, offering players more complex and engaging stories and gameplay mechanics.
Conclusion
Minecraft: Story Mode was a groundbreaking game that pushed the boundaries of narrative-driven gameplay and storytelling. Despite its delisting from digital stores, the game’s legacy lives on, inspiring a new generation of gamers and game developers.
While the game’s delisting has been a disappointment to many fans, it’s a reminder of the complex and ever-changing nature of the gaming industry. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s likely that we’ll see more games like Minecraft: Story Mode, offering players new and innovative ways to experience and interact with their favorite franchises.
| Episode | Release Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: The Order of the Stone | October 13, 2015 | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile |
| Episode 2: Assembly Required | October 27, 2015 | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile |
| Episode 3: The Last Place You Look | November 24, 2015 | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile |
| Episode 4: A Block and a Hard Place | December 22, 2015 | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile |
| Episode 5: Order Up! | March 29, 2016 | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mobile |
In conclusion, Minecraft: Story Mode was a unique and engaging game that offered players a new way to experience the world of Minecraft. While its delisting from digital stores has been a disappointment to many fans, the game’s legacy lives on, inspiring a new generation of gamers and game developers.
What is Minecraft: Story Mode?
Minecraft: Story Mode is an episodic point-and-click graphic adventure video game developed by Telltale Games, in association with Mojang Studios. The game is based on the popular sandbox video game Minecraft and features a unique storyline with characters and settings inspired by the original game.
The game was designed to appeal to both fans of Minecraft and newcomers alike, with a focus on storytelling and player choice. The game’s story follows Jesse, a young adventurer who sets out on a quest to save the world of Minecraft from destruction. Along the way, Jesse meets a cast of characters, including friends and foes, who aid or hinder their progress.
When was Minecraft: Story Mode released?
Minecraft: Story Mode was first released on October 13, 2015, for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The game was initially released in episodic format, with five episodes released between October 2015 and March 2016. A second season, also consisting of five episodes, was released between July 2017 and December 2017.
The game was later ported to other platforms, including iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. The game’s release was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its engaging storyline, likable characters, and faithfulness to the Minecraft franchise.
What happened to Telltale Games?
Telltale Games, the developer of Minecraft: Story Mode, was a renowned video game development studio known for its work on episodic adventure games. However, in 2018, the studio underwent a major restructuring, which resulted in the layoff of a significant portion of its staff. This move was seen as a significant blow to the studio, which had been struggling financially.
Despite efforts to revive the studio, Telltale Games ultimately ceased operations in 2018. The studio’s assets, including its intellectual properties and licenses, were sold off to other companies. The closure of Telltale Games marked the end of an era for the studio, which had been a major player in the adventure game genre.
Is Minecraft: Story Mode still available?
Minecraft: Story Mode is still available for purchase on various digital storefronts, including the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop. However, due to the closure of Telltale Games, the game is no longer supported with updates or new content.
Players who purchased the game before its removal from digital storefronts can still download and play it, but new players may encounter difficulties in finding the game for sale. Additionally, the game’s online features, such as multiplayer and leaderboards, may no longer be functional.
Why was Minecraft: Story Mode removed from digital storefronts?
Minecraft: Story Mode was removed from digital storefronts in 2019 due to the expiration of Telltale Games’ license to develop Minecraft games. The license, which was granted by Mojang Studios, allowed Telltale Games to create games based on the Minecraft franchise.
When the license expired, Telltale Games no longer had the rights to sell or distribute Minecraft: Story Mode. As a result, the game was removed from digital storefronts, and players were no longer able to purchase it.
Can I still play Minecraft: Story Mode on my device?
If you purchased Minecraft: Story Mode before its removal from digital storefronts, you can still download and play the game on your device. However, you may encounter difficulties in finding the game on your device’s storefront, and you may need to search for it manually.
Additionally, if you have a physical copy of the game, you can still play it on your device, provided it meets the game’s system requirements. However, keep in mind that the game’s online features may no longer be functional, and you may not be able to access certain content or features.
Will Minecraft: Story Mode be re-released?
There has been no official announcement from Mojang Studios or Microsoft regarding the re-release of Minecraft: Story Mode. However, in 2020, it was announced that the rights to Minecraft: Story Mode had been acquired by Netflix, which has expressed interest in developing new Minecraft content.
While there is no confirmation on whether Minecraft: Story Mode will be re-released, it is possible that Netflix may choose to revive the game or develop new content based on the Minecraft franchise. However, at this time, there is no concrete information on the game’s future.