Minecraft players have been able to play without a Microsoft account for the past six years that Microsoft has owned the game but this will change in 2021as the official Minecraft blog announced yesterday. Users who have the original version of Minecraft and don't change to an account with a Microsoft account will be unable to play.
Since its 2011 launch on consoles the game is available in two different versions. The original Minecraft: Java Edition had accounts from Mojang. Minecraft: Bedrock Edition was the name used for the console and Windows Store version of the game. The accounts will remain the same after this change, but crossplay is not yet possible. You can't play with friends using another version of Minecraft.
Mojang states that players moving over from Mojang accounts won't lose any information and that the new accounts will provide two-factor authentication (2FA) and other security features previously offered in the Bedrock Edition of the game such as parental controls, and the ability to block chats and invitations which is a concern for younger players playing multiplayer servers.
In the coming months players will be notified in batches with instructions on how to transfer. They will also receive an additional notification on your profile page when you can create an account. Mojang has also released a video explaining the move and also to address complaints from players.
If you're worried this video will provide reassurance that there is a compatibility between games and content created by users however it makes big assumptions about how positively you'll feel. The video also doesn't mention something that might bother players usernames for Java Edition could change.
Mojang made it clear in its support documents that the change does not alter your username. However, if you are using your username as a Gamertag, you will need to accept the addition of a suffix at the end (e.g. minecraftfan #1734) or select a different one to sign-in with. Names that don't conform to Microsoft's safety guidelines will also require a change. The added suffix might be more popular since there's less names to pick from, particularly given the 8 years since console players have had to snap them up.
Mojang claims that it was easier to make use of Microsoft accounts than to create these new features from scratch. If they're so important, why did it take this time to bring them in? Two-factor authentication has been requested by players since the game provided a way to sell and buy content. It's been around for three years if you count. It seems like a good reason to make a change.Minecraftservers.club However, it's not been until this point. This is an Microsoft issue that I find hard to believe. It simplifies the administration of their most popular game prior to the launch next-generation consoles.
While not as incendiary as Facebook's decision to make Facebook accounts to be used for the use of Oculus headsets, Minecraft is still one of the most popular games in the world and now many players will have to act if they still want to play.
Correction The earlier version of this article stated that usernames had to be changed if the same name was used previously as a Gamertag. Because of an update to Microsoft's account system in the year 2000 identical names are now provided with suffixes that distinguish them from one others, instead of requiring users to change to the new username. We regret this error.
