Don’t get too hyped for Universal Studios’ Minecraft expansion
If you thought you could get away from video games by taking in some fresh air and having a wholesome family day out, you'd be wrong. Universal Studios is slowly being overtaken by video games, nudging the likes of Jurassic World, Harry Potter, and The Simpsons out of the way.
While Super Nintendo World started out small in Japan and Hollywood, an upcoming Donkey Kong expansion to the OG park and imminent arrival at Orlando's Epic Universe suggest this is just the tip of the pixelated iceberg. Now, Universal is teasing a blocky surprise in the form of a Minecraft collab.
Universal Studios teases Minecraft collab
Leaving us confused and hyped in equal measure, the official Universal Studios Twitter shared a cryptic tweet about the globe turning into blocks. The MinecraftParks account responded, with Universal then writing, "Took us a moment to craft a response, better stay tuned!" Ah, how subtle.
It's clear something related to Minecraft is on the way, but the question is, what? One confused fan wrote, "Question, where is this going? Is this gonna be an epic universe land, or some construction project that hasn’t broken ground yet? Lost Continent?"
Another added, "It’s probably a Universal Studios licensed Minecraft DLC," and a third mused, "A Universal Studios Minecraft Map? That’s what I am thinking, but I hope it’s something bigger, like a whole Minecraft-themed land."
We know the licensing for The Simpsons' Springfield is due to end in 2028, and with America's favourite family presumably going to their new owners at Disneyland, it'll leave a big space in Orlando and Hollywood. It a huge leap, but it's possible a Minecraft Land or at least Minecraft ride could find a new home here.
Erring on the side of caution, we've previously seen Universal-inspired Minecraft events. Universal recently celebrated New Year with a Minecraftised version of its famous Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, and while it would be strange to repeat it so soon, it's possible this is just another in-game crossover.
Minecraft, Pokemon, Zelda
Click to enlargeWe're hearing more and more about video game expansions at the Universal family, with the brilliant suggestion that The Simpsons Ride will be replaced by a Pokemon-themed experience. This sent gamers into overdrive that we'd get a whole Pokemon theme park, but to be honest, that's a mind-boggling idea.
The rumour mill also went wild at the appearance of the legendary Eiji Aonuma, leading to hope that a theme park based on The Legend of Zelda could be just over the Hyrule horizon. Universal Studios has a lot going on at the moment, and while most would likely prefer Pokemon or Zelda to Minecraft, we'll take what we can get in terms of new attractions.
