Minecraft enters the real world with £85m global theme park deal

The global gaming phenomenon Minecraft is coming to the real world in a global deal to open themed rides, attractions, hotels and retail outlets, starting with the UK and the US.

- Mark sweney

Minecraft has struck a deal with the UK-based Merlin Entertainments - Europer largest theme park operator and the second biggest globally after Disney - which runs more than 135 attractions iri 23 countries including Alton Towers, Legoland, Peppa Pig World, Sea Life, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye.

Under the terms of the deal, Mer-lin will invest more than £85m in the first two Minecraft attractions, which are due to open within existing theme parks iri the UK and US in 2026 and 2027.

The two companies plan to expand the partnership to other countries and territories.

Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time, with 140 million players each month, and there are more than 1.3tn Videos posted by players on You Tube.

A much-delayed film is due for release in April, featuring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, and Net-flix announced plans this year to release an animated series based on the game.