Microsoft and Mojang release a set of new rules regarding in-game advertisements in Minecraft, as well as how and what companies can use the game for.

Most, if not all, of Minecraft's overwhelming popularity is the ability for players to create nearly anything they want. However, parent company Microsoft has now created new guidelines that affect what corporations can do in and with Minecraft.

Mojang announced Microsoft's new guidelines in an official blog post, specifically placing controls on the use of Minecraft for advertisement purposes. Microsoft has stipulated that corporations, non-profits, advertising agencies, and politicians will no longer be allowed to use Minecraft for any type of advertising projects. Specifically, the groups won't be allowed to build recreations of products or locations in-game to advertise to gamers, and they also won't be allowed to use footage from Minecraft to create video advertisements or film trailers. However, no changes are being made to the monetization of Minecraft servers with video ads.

While Mojang has expressed that this change will have minimal impact on what gamers are allowed to create, and some gamers have been pleased at the reduction of in-game advertisements, not everyone is happy. This change also means that sponsors will no longer be able to pay gamers to create anything in Minecraft for promotional purposes. This will indeed affect some of the gamers who earn money from what they create in Minecraft. While Microsoft isn't responsible for it, gamers have already been recently hit by restrictions with Nintendo taking down Minecraft videos on YouTube with copyright claims.

Mojang notes that gamers will still be allowed to create whatever they please, including recreations of products or businesses, so long as it's not in an effort to sell a good or service. This will probably be a relief to many long-time Minecraft gamers, since gamers have utilized Minecraft to build recreations of Destiny and other games as well as real-life products and locations since the game's inception.

Some gamers have taken to social media with their responses, complaining that since Microsoft bought Mojang, Minecraft players have been subjected to a variety of restrictions. While these complaints have merit, gamers who have been subjected to in-game advertisements in Minecraft and other games may feel that this change is a positive one. In any case, gamers who just enjoy playing the game without seeking a way to make a profit probably won't feel any personal impact from this change.

Gamers, how do you feel about Microsoft shutting down in-game advertising? Let us know in the comments.

Minecraft is out now for Mac, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Wii U.

Source: Mojang