Gaming Mondays #5: Minecraft 2, Roblox Stock Soars, Pentagon Games x Tron DAO, Marvel Rivals Season 1, Fortnite OG Season 2
Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of the iconic Minecraft, has "basically" announced a spiritual successor to the game that redefined sandbox gaming.
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had an amazing holiday period. We may have taken a break, however, the industry did not. A lot has happened, so let us ease you back into 2025.
Every Monday, we bring you the latest shifts and trends across the gaming industry, from major updates in player-built environments to the expanding influence of blockchain-driven ecosystems and metaverse projects. From UGC game releases and platform updates to the latest in Web3 and AI-driven gaming. All in one place, every week!
Let’s kick off the new year with a bang! In what could be one of the biggest gaming announcements of 2025, Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of the iconic Minecraft, has "basically" announced a spiritual successor to the game that redefined sandbox gaming. Tentatively titled Adventureland, this new project is shaping up to be a massive love letter to the millions of fans who’ve been clamoring for Minecraft 2.
Notch Basically Announced “Minecraft 2”
In a Twitter poll that blew up over the holidays, Notch asked fans if they’d like to see a new project in the Minecraft vein. The response? Over 80% of gamers gave an enthusiastic “Yes.” Inspired by the overwhelming demand, Notch took to Twitter again to share his vision:
"I’m 100% serious about all this. Why not make something that people actually want, and I’m willing to give it an honest shot in the form of a spiritual successor to Minecraft."
Dubbed Adventureland, the project aims to deliver the blocky creativity fans know and love, with new twists to scratch Notch’s creative itch. He’s keeping it real though, admitting that spiritual successors often miss the mark, but he’s determined to avoid that fate.
A Clear Line from Mojang’s Minecraft
Notch made it clear that Adventureland wouldn’t step on Mojang’s toes, or Microsoft’s, for that matter. In his own words, the new project won’t "sneakily infringe" on the original. Microsoft has been steering Minecraft for over a decade, and Notch has no plans to interfere with their efforts. Instead, he’s carving out his own niche, saying the game will lean into early access to ensure it evolves based on community feedback.
While Adventureland will carry the spirit of Minecraft, it will stand as its own unique experience, offering fans something familiar yet undeniably fresh.
What We Know So Far
Project Title: Adventureland (working title)
Development: Likely tied to Bitshift Entertainment, the studio Notch launched last year, though solo development isn’t ruled out.
Format: Early Access to shape the game alongside players.
Current State: Just an idea for now, but one with significant buzz and serious intent behind it.
Adventureland’s Potential Impact
Notch’s announcement is a huge deal. Minecraft revolutionized gaming with its blend of creativity, exploration, and community-driven content. If Adventureland can recapture that magic, it could reinvigorate the sandbox genre while challenging Mojang to keep pushing the boundaries of Minecraft itself.
As fans eagerly await more details, one thing is clear: the gaming world is paying attention. Could Adventureland become the next cultural phenomenon? Only time and a lot of blocky creativity will tell.
Roblox Stock Soars to $61.86
Roblox is straight-up thriving right now. The gaming giant just hit a fresh 52-week high, with shares soaring to $61.86. That’s not just a little flex, it’s a massive one. With a market cap now sitting at $40.15 billion, this OG “metaverse” player is on a serious glow-up, and the numbers back it up.
Roblox’s Epic Comeback
Roblox’s stock is up 44.87% over the past year and a jaw-dropping 56.33% in the last six months. Investors are vibing with the company’s momentum, fueled by:
Revenue growth: A solid 28% year-over-year, totaling $919 million.
Bookings boost: A 34% jump to $1.13 billion.
Daily active users: 27% growth, now hitting 88.9 million.
That’s right, 88.9 million people are out here customizing avatars, vibing in Tower Heroes, and snagging those limited-edition Gucci fits.
Why the Streets Are Hyped
Roblox has become more than just another app on your little cousin’s iPad; it’s a cultural juggernaut. Analysts love it too:
HSBC: Dropped a “Buy” rating, praising Roblox's improved virtual world economics.
Raymond James: Boosted their price target to $63.
Deutsche Bank: Noted Roblox’s bookings game is unmatched, setting their target at $60.
Oh, and the fourth-quarter bookings guidance? A crisp $1.34–$1.36 billion, marking a 20% increase from last year. Roblox is basically like that friend who shows up at every party with not just snacks, but a whole charcuterie board.
Gen Z Energy Meets Wall Street Power Moves
Roblox’s rise is about staying relevant. The platform nails the intersection of gaming, social interaction, and retail with moves like integrating Shopify storefronts and collabs with brands like Nike and Gucci.
Is it a secret sauce? Tapping into Gen Z’s love for self-expression and social experiences. From creating digital twins of real-life merch to hosting virtual concerts that slap, Roblox is keeping the vibes fresh while securing the bag.
Is Roblox Built Different?
Some analysts are saying the stock might be overhyped, but let’s be real, Roblox is playing chess, not checkers. With its ability to grow its user base, innovate its platform, and drop features that get players hooked, it’s clear Roblox is not just in the game, but actively calling the shots.
Pentagon Games x Tron DAO
Pentagon Games is making waves in the gaming and Web3 spaces with a bold new announcement: they’ve teamed up with Tron DAO to launch a groundbreaking digital world. This new project, called Novatron: The Rift’s Echo, is the first step in a much larger vision to redefine virtual experiences. Featuring customizable environments, immersive storytelling, and blockchain-backed ownership, this digital world is set to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Web3 gaming.
At the core of this venture is a decentralized, community-driven virtual space that will allow users to create, explore, and interact like never before. Powered by augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), this platform will enable players to build personalized spaces, whether for gaming, socializing, or showing off digital collectibles. Accessible across desktop, mobile, and VR devices, the experience promises to blend fun and function seamlessly. What’s more, the platform doubles as a 3D marketplace where users can showcase brands and trade digital goods, all supported by Tron’s blockchain technology.
Project Novatron
The centerpiece of the project is Novatron, the protagonist of The Rift’s Echo, a gripping narrative about a scientist whose life changes after a cosmic anomaly grants him incredible powers. As Novatron battles to save a collapsing world, players will dive into a story rich with challenges, lore, and opportunities to connect with other players. This marks the beginning of the Blockchain Superheroes (BCSH) series, a collection of unique heroes who will shape and expand the virtual universe over time. Each hero comes with distinct gameplay features, ensuring that players remain deeply invested in both the story and the gameplay.
Tron’s blockchain infrastructure makes this ambitious vision possible. With over 270 million user accounts, $16 billion in total value locked (TVL), and a proven track record of scalability and efficiency, Tron offers the technical foundation needed to power such a dynamic project. Emma Liu, CEO of Pentagon Games, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “We’re blending rich digital content with the power of blockchain to make virtual worlds just as rewarding as the real world.” Tron DAO’s commitment to decentralization and its position as a leader in Web3 innovation ensure that this collaboration will set new standards for the gaming industry.
The larger implications of this partnership extend beyond gaming. By merging entertainment, social interaction, and commerce, Pentagon Games and Tron DAO are creating a virtual ecosystem that feels alive and interconnected. As more heroes, stories, and features are introduced, the platform will evolve, offering endless possibilities for engagement and creativity. This is a vision for the future of digital interaction, and it’s clear that both Pentagon Games and Tron DAO are just getting started.
Fortnite OG Season 2: What’s Coming and When to Expect It
Fortnite’s nostalgic trip back to its roots with the permanent OG game mode has been a massive hit, letting players relive the magic of Chapter 1 while still enjoying current content. As we wrap up OG Chapter 1 Season 1, all eyes are on what’s next: Season 2. Here’s the lowdown on when it’s dropping and what you can expect.
When Does OG Season 2 Start?
Mark your calendars. Fortnite OG Season 2 kicks off on January 31, 2025, at 2 a.m. ET, right after the current season ends. Season 1, which began on December 6, will clock in at a tidy 56 days. While the exact launch time for Season 2 has not been officially confirmed, the rollout is expected around 9 a.m. ET, following Fortnite’s usual update schedule.
What’s New in OG Season 2?
Fortnite OG Season 2 promises to turn up the nostalgia even more with fresh twists on classic content. Expect a shake-up to the loot pool and some legendary map changes. Fan-favorite points of interest (POIs) like Tilted Towers and Haunted Hills are slated to make their grand return, offering a whole new-old set of places to drop in and battle it out.
On the gear front, iconic items like the Silenced Pistol, Boogie Bomb, Chug Jug, and the infamous Minigun will likely make their way back into your inventory. It’s all about recreating that early Fortnite vibe while keeping things fresh.
Battle Pass Glow-Up
The OG vibes extend to the Battle Pass, too. Just like Season 1 brought back reimagined versions of the Renegade Raider and Skull Trooper, Season 2 will feature revamped takes on legendary skins like the Black Knight, Royale Knight, and Sparkle Specialist.
Why It Matters
Fortnite OG is a bridge between the game’s storied past and its innovative future. By blending classic mechanics with modern updates, Epic Games has crafted a mode that resonates with both old-school fans and newcomers. OG Season 2 is shaping up to keep that momentum going strong.
Stay tuned for more updates as the countdown continues and get ready to drop into a chapter that’ll have you saying, “One more game!”
Marvel Rivals Season 1: Eternal Night Falls
Marvel Rivals is about to level up. Season 1, titled Eternal Night Falls, launches on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 1 AM PT. Fans can look forward to the introduction of Dracula as the season’s villain, alongside fresh maps, game modes, and a potential drop of one of Marvel’s most iconic teams, the Fantastic Four.
While the exact arrival time of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and The Thing remains a mystery, their inclusion is all but confirmed for this season. Whether they all arrive at launch or roll out gradually, one thing’s for sure: Marvel Rivals is turning up the heat.
With nearly 300,000 players still active on Steam a month post-launch, Marvel Rivals has solidified its spot as a must-play for superhero fans. As servers gear up for the big day, expect some downtime and patches before you can dive into Dracula’s dark reign.
And That’s a Wrap for Gaming Mondays #5!
As we wrap up this week’s Gaming Mondays, let’s pause to reflect on the deeper undercurrents shaping this industry we love. From Fortnite’s nostalgic nod to its roots to Marvel Rivals’ exploration of heroism, these are experiences that connect, challenge, and inspire us.
In a world increasingly drawn to screens, the digital worlds we enter are becoming more than escapism. They’re mirrors to our ambitions, our creativity, and our humanity. As Markus "Notch" Persson’s musings about Minecraft 2 remind us, the future of gaming isn’t just about pixels and polygons, it’s about the uncharted landscapes of our own imagination.
And yet, the question lingers: What role will you play? Will you be a passive consumer of these narratives, or will you step forward as a creator, a thinker, a participant in this great experiment? Every new game, every emerging technology, is an invitation to engage not just with the medium, but with the stories we tell about ourselves and the worlds we aspire to build.
As Jean-Paul Sartre once said, “Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.” So, as the gaming industry continues to grow, innovate, and connect us, what will you make of it? Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or simply an observer, your voice matters. Your actions matter.
Until next week, stay curious, stay bold, and remember: the next great leap in gaming might just be waiting for you to press start. Don’t forget to react, share, and subscribe if you’re loving the Gaming Monday’s newsletter.
See you next week, fam!