'Minecraft' Gets its Own Official Monthly Swag Box
Monthly subscription boxes are a fascinating idea subscriptions are paid for by subscribers to receive things such as T-shirts, toys, items, makeup or food that they have no control over. The model is employed by companies such as Dollar Shave Club, Fancy, Graze, Loot Crate and Fancy Crate. But Mojang is a newcomer to the market. It's true, Minecraft now has its own swag box.
For $30 a month, Mojang says it will send subscribers a unique "Mine Chest" full of "hand-picked official, Minecraft products." The company keeps the exact items under wraps but promises customers an exclusive t-shirt, DIY craft recipes, exclusive items not found in stores and a collection of collectibles every month.
MineCon 2015 saw the unveiling of the Mine Chest for the first time. Mojang gave away 5,000 beta keys to attendees to assist them in securing their first boxes. It's now available to all. While it may sound like the perfect gift for anyone who is a Minecraft player, it does come with a few stipulations.
First, Mojang requires that subscribers select a monthly plan which is charged in advance, but shipments will not be made until May. Mojang claims that upfront payment allows it to better service customers by purchasing premium items in larger quantities to lower costs. Each month, a Mine Chest will be charged $7 for shipping. Finally, Mine Chests are currently only available in the US. Mojang is blaming high shipping costs for its exclusivity, but says it is "working very hard" in order to bring them down.