Minecraft theme park experience to open in UK as part of £85m deal

Merlin Entertainments, which besides owns Madame Tussauds and Sea Life, has struck a woody with Mojang Studios, the creator of the best-selling video game, to physique the attraction

A caller "immersive real-life" acquisition based connected the best-selling video crippled Minecraft is acceptable to unfastened successful the UK.

The institution down Legoland, Alton Towers and Peppa Pig World has secured a important woody with Mojang Studios — the creators of the hugely fashionable crippled — to conception the attraction. Dorset-based taxable parkland relation Merlin Entertainments, which besides manages Madam Tussauds and Sea Life, announced that it would beryllium 1 of 2 specified experiences, with the different located successful the US. If successful, the steadfast plans to grow the conception globally.

The nonstop determination of the UK acquisition remains nether wraps, but the institution intends to put £85m into the project, dubbed 'Adventures Made Real'. It volition diagnostic a hotel, retail spaces, nutrient and portion outlets, and a ride.

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While circumstantial timelines person not been disclosed, the acquisition is slated to motorboat successful the US and the UK betwixt 2026 and 2027. The attractions volition beryllium constructed wrong existing taxable parks oregon metropolis centre locations. According to Merlin, 'Adventures Made Real' volition connection "new and breathtaking ways" for visitors to immerse themselves successful the Minecraft universe, including interactive touchpoints enabling guests to unlock exclusive in-game content, reports Bristol Live.

The main enforcement of Merlin Entertainments, Scott O'Neil, stated: "Minecraft is the best-selling video crippled of each time, and this world-first volition spot fans acquisition its thrill and creativity successful existent life, astatine taxable parks and city-centre attractions successful starring tourer destinations. This archetypal concern is conscionable the beginning, replicating Merlin's tried-and-tested attack to globally launching caller concepts and platforms, arsenic we person with LEGO, Peppa Pig, Sony Pictures, CBeebies and others.

"This is an breathtaking accidental for our Merlin Magic Making team, moving collaboratively with Mojang Studios to bring cross-reality experiences, themed accommodation and different elements to beingness for the largest gaming assemblage successful the world."

According to Merlin, the collaboration aligns with its strategy to prosecute and enactment with starring intelligence spot and brands crossed its estate. Kayleen Walters, vice-president franchise improvement for gaming at Microsoft, said: "Partnering with Merlin Entertainments is an incredibly breathtaking measurement for america astatine Mojang Studios.

"Our immense and divers assemblage is ever looking for caller opportunities to research and prosecute with Minecraft, and we are thrilled to physique touchpoints astir the globe that volition astonishment and delight them. These caller real-life Minecraft experiences volition not lone turn our assemblage but besides connection fans galore much opportunities to immerse themselves successful the satellite of Minecraft successful ways they've ne'er imagined."

Mr O'Neil and Ms Walters volition beryllium discussing the concern and the worldwide motorboat of these real-life experiences astatine the IAAPA Expo 2024 successful Orlando, scheduled for 4pm (EST) connected November 19.