Minecraft XBLA was Profitable within an Hour, and it Broke Digital Sale Records

Minecraft is digging its own grave with its latest release on XBLA -- and by "grave" we mean "lavish gold-plated throne room with indoor pool and grape-feeding robots." Today's tweet from Markus "Notch", Markus Persson the Minecraft developer, said that Minecraft became profitable within an hour of its debut through XBLA. This is in addition to Notch's multi-million-dollar version for PC.

Notch reported that Minecraft sold more than 400,000 copies in 24 hours, based on the number of people who participated in leaderboards. According to Microsoft, Minecraft sold more digital copies than any other XBLA game on its first day of release, breaking digital sales records.

Today, Notch tweeted that he had sales figures for Minecraft (turns out they were the same figures from the leaderboard) which led to a conversation about the internal workings of XBLA developer contracts with Fez's Polytron. Polytron hasn't been able to determine Fez's exact numbers even though it was released just one month ago.

"Standard procedure" according to Polytron is "you know how much you've sold when you receive your first check three-four months after." Notch thought getting immediate numbers was standard, but he avoided contract negotiations and isn't sure what the law says on the subject, he said.

Polytron wrote that Minecraft also receives free updates. "This is something every other developer on this platform is told is simply impossible." City2020.Com Notch replied: "We had to fight for this and we were able to get only a few. I'm not sure why they don't like it."

We may have found the secret talent of Notch and the secret to his success: fighting in the contract, not negotiating and winning.

MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION BREAKS DIGITAL SALES RECORDS Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT program delivers two back-to-back record-breaking titles in four weeks

Microsoft today announced that Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Mojang's console version of the immensely loved PC game, which has broken all previous records for digital sales. It was the most popular game sold by any other game in the first 24 hours on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

This follows on from Trials Evolution, which similarly reduced revenue numbers on its debut day of sales. It was the first game of the "Arcade Next" program.

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was created by 4J Studios and Mojang in collaboration with Microsoft Studios. It introduces new gaming experiences such as a unique crafting menu and tutorials for games. Split-screen multiplayer and online multiplayer for up to eight players on Xbox LIVE are also available.

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1600 Microsoft Points, and is the final game in the "Microsoft Studios Presents: Arcade NEXT" lineup, with also included Trials Evolution (Redlynx), Bloodforge (Climax) and Fable Heroes (Lionhead).

For more information on Minecraft: Xbox 360