Minecraft to Require Microsoft Account Migration with Free Cape

Minecraft has had quite a year in 2020 so far. After an explosion of interest 10 years after the game’s launch, the player base has never seen such an influx of returning players. With the 1.16 Nether update shaking up the game that much more, Minecraft is seemingly just as popular today than it was in 2011. Yet announced today, Mojang is taking a page out of some other tech companies to consolidate their player database. In a quick and funny video with developer Dinnerbone explaining the changes, Minecraft will require players to migrate an existing Mojang account to a full Microsoft one in early 2021.

While short, there are some interesting bits of information given out. For one, none of the account transfer changes will do anything to the base game. That means no matter what, Minecraft stays the same and can still be modified and played all the same today as it will be next year. What does likely change is how you change personal info and account details. This is currently managed entirely by Mojang, but Microsoft will soon handle all of that. Moving all of this data to a Microsoft account is for convenience’s sake as the Bedrock versions already use a Microsoft login.

All of the proposed security benefits coming to Java accounts. Courtesy of Mojang

In a move similar to Oculus and Facebook requiring players to have an account to even use the device, some fans are definitely not happy about the upcoming changes. While the proposed account migration is being made to strengthen security with two-factor authentication, some fans are still reluctant to even support Microsoft’s ownership of the game. Despite this, Mojang is offering a cape to all Java players who make the switch when it’s available next year. Serving as the first cape release since Minecon 2016, this is a very special occasion. At this time we don’t have a good look at the full design, it appears to be a red cape with a black and gold frame at the top. While the process of moving your account is still being worked on, Mojang stated there will be another video to showcase the process later this year.

What are your thoughts on this change? Do you think it will be better for Minecraft? Let me know in the comments below!