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Microsoft has named Maria Angelidou-Smith the next CEO of Mojang and Minecraft, with her appointment set to begin October 19, 2026. Xbox’s announcement discusses her experience with monetization, but it does not announce a Minecraft price increase, new paid features, or changes to Marketplace rules. Some online commenters have speculated about future monetization; that reaction is anecdotal, not a measure of what players broadly think.
What Xbox announced
In an October 8, 2026, Xbox Wire announcement, Xbox said Angelidou-Smith will become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft on October 19 and report to Xbox leadership. Kayleen Walters, who had been at Mojang, will become president of XP, a new Xbox division focused on franchise experiences beyond games, including film and television adaptations, licensing and merchandise, brand partnerships, and live or location-based experiences. Xbox’s announcement describes both appointments.
Why Xbox says it chose Angelidou-Smith
Xbox executive Asha Sharma said the company wanted a leader experienced in building products for very large communities, with technical depth and an understanding of how creators, product, technology, and monetization interact. Xbox says Angelidou-Smith’s first priority will be learning from the Minecraft teams and communities. Those are the company’s stated selection criteria and plan, not a forecast of specific product decisions.
Why players are connecting the appointment to monetization
Monetization appears in Xbox’s description of the experience it sought in a leader. Angelidou-Smith’s background also includes leadership of Facebook Groups and work involving creators and monetization. That makes the subject understandable, but experience in those areas is not evidence that Minecraft will adopt a particular business model.
#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Xbox says Angelidou-Smith spent nearly a decade at Meta and led Facebook Groups, along with Events, Creators, Search, Profile, and Monetization. The company says Facebook Groups had more than 1.8 billion monthly users. This is Xbox’s description of her background, not an independently verified figure in the announcement.
What commenters have said
Some Reddit users have speculated about “more monetization incoming” in discussions related to Xbox messaging, and one asked whether the change could mean Mojang employees would have to work on the game. These comments show that the concerns exist, but they do not establish how common those views are: no representative poll was identified. The cited Reddit discussion is an anecdotal example, not a survey of Minecraft players.
Rank #2
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
What is—and is not—known about Minecraft monetization
No specific change was announced
The October 8 appointment announcement does not say Minecraft prices will rise, add paid features, alter Marketplace policies, or change any other monetization terms. It names monetization as part of the leadership experience Xbox values; it does not set out a Minecraft monetization plan.
Xbox-wide strategy is context, not a Minecraft policy
Xbox’s April 2026 strategy document discusses sustainable Game Pass economics, stewardship of live games, and elevating creator-centric platforms such as Minecraft. That is company-level strategy language, not confirmation of a Minecraft-specific policy change. Xbox’s April strategy statement does not announce new Minecraft charges or Marketplace rules.
Rank #3
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Live-game operations do not indicate a new fee
A May 2026 Microsoft Game Dev article discusses the continuing operational and creative work involved in maintaining long-running games, including Minecraft. It provides context about live-game development, not evidence of a new paid feature or a change to Marketplace policy. The article on evergreen games does not announce a monetization change.
What the current creator guidelines say
Minecraft’s Usage Guidelines set boundaries for fan and creator activity, including a restriction on using Minecraft gameplay to promote unrelated products without prior written approval. The guidelines also say they may be updated. That general provision is not an announcement that the rules have changed, nor does it connect a change to the CEO appointment. Read the Minecraft Usage Guidelines for the current terms.
Rank #4
- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
- UNO Minecraft features a deck and storage tin decorated with graphics from the popular video game.
- Players match colors and numbers to the card on top of the discard pile as in the classic game.
- The Creeper card unique to this deck forces other players to draw 3 cards.
- Makes a great gift for kid, teen, adult and family game nights with 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, especially Minecraft and video game fans.
What to watch for next
To distinguish a real policy decision from speculation, look for a specific statement or updated terms from Xbox or Minecraft that identifies what is changing and when. A leadership appointment, corporate strategy language, or individual social-media comments do not by themselves establish a change to prices, paid features, or Marketplace rules.
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Best Value
- The Minecraft Labyrinth invites 2-4 people aged 7 and over to immerse themselves in the world of Minecraft, move corridors and search for hidden characters and items
- The classic in the look of the well-known and popular computer game Minecraft! The labyrinth has been delighting children and adults for decades and has become a highlight among board games
- A fun family game for children and adults: This board game for ages 7 and up is a must-have in any game collection! Simple rules, entertaining games and exciting rounds ensure long-lasting fun
- A search and slide game that challenges and encourages logical thinking in a playful way
- A great gift or souvenir for all Minecraft fans: the characteristic illustrations provide an authentic gaming experience
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