World's first Minecraft theme park set to open in UK, Mojang confirms

Perhaps the biggest gaming franchise of all time is set to break into the real world, as a Minecraft theme park has been announced by developer Mojang Studios.

First released back in 2011, the sandbox game has gone on to sell hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and maintains an iron grip on the attention of the world's children.

Now, following on from the blockbuster success of last year's A Minecraft Movie, Minecraft developer Mojang has confirmed that players will soon be able to experience the game in the real world.

As part of the recent Minecraft Live event, Mojang and UK-based Merlin Entertainments revealed Minecraft World, the world's first Minecraft theme park.

Under development at London's Chessington World of Adventures, Minecraft World is set to feature a variety of experiences inspired by the game including a Minecraft coaster, biomes, mobs and items from the game, interactive moments and more.

On the project, Minecraft senior creative director of entertainment Torfi Frans Ólafsson said: "Minecraft World represents a meaningful milestone in our ongoing journey to expand the Minecraft universe," adding that it will be "a place where you can literally be in the Minecraft Overworld and have an adventure of your own with your family and friends".

Merlin Entertainments SVP of global brand Angela Jobson echoed these sentiments, stating that "Minecraft World will allow friends and families to play, explore and craft together on a truly epic scale.

"Working closely with Mojang Studios we are meticulously creating an authentic world that the global community of Minecraft fans will want to immerse themselves in and experience the game in a whole new way."

Minecraft World is scheduled to open at Chessington World of Adventures in 2027.

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