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Minecraft and the Resource-Scarcity Advantage

In: Managing Complexity

Author

Listed:
  • F. Xavier Olleros

    (University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM))

Abstract

This chapter tries to shine a light on the seemingly paradoxical role of resource scarcity as help, rather than hindrance, to innovation. It does so by showing that Minecraft’s remarkable success has been the result of a fertile set of design and business model choices, some of which were due to the typical constraints that weigh on an innovator who is short of time and money. First, by contrasting the success of Minecraft with the disappointing performance of Second Life, I will show that Minecraft’s design and business model were exceptionally good. Then, by contrasting Minecraft’s success with LEGO Universe’s failure, I will show that such optimal choices were partly due to the scarcity of time and money that Markus Persson, Minecraft’s creator, was working under during the critical months of his game’s initial development. The chapter ends with some strategic implications of my argument.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Xavier Olleros, 2017. "Minecraft and the Resource-Scarcity Advantage," Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, in: Jocelyn Bellemare & Serge Carrier & Kjeld Nielsen & Frank T. Piller (ed.), Managing Complexity, chapter 0, pages 367-378, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-319-29058-4_29
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-29058-4_29
    as

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