Minecraft is one of the wildest success stories in video game history. What started as a simple one-man project in 2009 ballooned into one of the best-selling games of all time that now ranks among the likes of Super Mario Bros., Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, and Pokemon Red/Blue as one of those rare generation-defining games for millions of players. And soon, fans will get a first-hand look into Minecraft’s development with the upcoming The World of Minecraft book.
Created by Mojang Studios and set to be published by Random House Worlds later this year, The World of Minecraft is a 224-page packed with rare production materials, in-game lore, and real-world history about the game’s development, making it the most comprehensive source of Minecraft information to date. The book will be available in two versions: A standard hardcover edition that launches on October 15, and a numbered limited edition that drops two weeks later on October 29. Both editions are available for preorder at Amazon.
$28 (was $40)
The standard edition of The World of Minecraft is a 224-page hardcover book packed with behind-the-scenes insights on the creation of the iconic game. The book covers everything from the history of Minecraft characters and creatures like Alex and the Phantom, as well as stories from the wider Minecraft community, including mods like Feed The Beast, popular servers like Hypixel, and YouTube channels like The Yogscast. The book will also include tons of concept art, high-resolution renders of in-game assets, and never-before-seen development materials.
The World Of Minecraft Standard Edition releases October 15, and preorders are available for $28 at Amazon, which is a nice discount from its $40 list price. Ordering now is a wise choice, since Amazon’s preorder guarantee ensures that you’ll get the book for the lowest price offered between the time you order and when it ships.
$225 (was $250)
For the die-hard Minecraft fans out there, you’ll want to check out the World Of Minecraft Special Edition set. This deluxe package includes an exclusive version of the book featuring alternate cover art and a clamshell case with a reversible translucent sleeve that reveals different Minecraft monsters on the cover. Each special edition book is numbered.
Along with the special edition of the book, you will also get a selection of signed art prints from multiple Minecraft artists including Doug John Miller, Minecraft manga artist Kazuyoshi Seto, and Mojang art director Markus “Junkboy” Toivonen, plus a tri-fold display case for showing them off.
The World of Minecraft Special Edition launches on October 29, and preorders are available at Amazon. The book is listed for $250, but preorders are currently discounted to $225. Admittedly, that’s still an eye-popping price. In fact, this is one of the most expensive gaming art books we’ve seen.
If you want to own this piece of Minecraft history, it’d be wise to place your preorder as soon as possible. It’s worth reiterating that you won’t be charged until your order ships, and you will pay the lowest price offered by Amazon between the time you order and release. Essentially, you can preorder now to ensure you’ll get a copy and then cancel later if the price isn’t within your budget.
Gaming art books frequently receive big discounts ahead of launch, and we would be surprised if The World of Minecraft Special Edition still has a $225-$250 price attached to it on October 29. Unless it sells out, of course. If that happens, the price could actually go up on the reseller market.
The World of Minecraft will launch just in time to catch up on your Minecraft history before the live-action Minecraft movie premieres in theaters next year. While we don’t know much about the movie’s plot, Jack Black will reportedly star as one of the main characters from the game, Steve. Emma Myers, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Kate McKinnon, and Jemaine Clement are all confirmed to star in the movie as well. The movie recently wrapped filming in April, so we expect more news to be revealed soon. In the meantime, check our round-up of everything we know about the Minecraft movie for all the details shared so far.
The upcoming movie is far from the only piece of non-gaming media to tell a story within the world of Minecraft. The modern classic has also been adapted to multiple children’s book series that are on sale at Amazon, including the six-book Woodsword Chronicles box set for $35 (down from $60) and the Stonesword Saga six-book box set for $34 (was $60). You can also get a box set featuring a trio of Minecraft novels–The Crash, The Lost Journals, and The End–for only $22 (was $33).
