Microsoft announces Minecraft Marketplace for buying third-party content

Microsoft has announced a new Minecraft Marketplace, enabling fans of the popular sandbox block-building game to purchase add-ons developed by third-party creators.

Players have previously only been able to buy digital goods for Minecraft that were developed in-house and sold via an online store. Some third-parties have sold add-ons via their own portals, but with restrictions. The new official Minecraft Marketplace, however, will be attached to a user’s Xbox Live account and uses a new digital currency called Minecraft Coins to pay for goods, which can be procured using real money. It’s not entirely clear whether coins can be earned through unlocking certain in-game achievements — Microsoft makes no mention of this.