Minecraft. Photo by hobbymb via Flickr. Minecraft recently announced its collaboration with the retail giant Walmart to introduce an exclusive Java server for gamers and new merchandise for the game’s fans. The collaboration led to the rollout of Walmart Skyward, an exclusive Java server that offers a different experience for Minecraft gamers and a story-driven exploration in the ecosystem on March 21. The experience on the Minecraft Survival Server will go on until May 15.
Gamers who access the Syward server will begin their missions on Earth before exploring other planets to find “The Golden Child.” Gamers can access the game content solo or invite up to 3 other gamers to enjoy the adventure, which will feature 6 playable episodes. The Walmart Skyward server is notably compatible with Minecraft version 1.21.4. Gamers can access the information on how to join in on the fun through the official Walmart Skyward website.
Walmart also launched new merchandise available in real-life stores to support the collaboration, including collectibles from the upcoming live-action movie. Some of the collectibles fans can find at Walmart include the exclusive Steve and Dennis 2-pack figures, Great Hog and Wild Boss 2-pack figures, the Minecraft Netherite Sword, Blast Attack Ghast, and the Squid Pillow Buddy.
A Minecraft movie to launch soon
This is what a Fully Animated Minecraft Movie would've looked like
Sortapic.twitter.com/0gvVPM4B0l
— #1 Space Jam 2 Lover (@JoshuaTookes) March 21, 2025
The collaboration comes a few weeks before A Minecraft Movie goes on air in theaters on April 4. Several companies, including Microsoft, Legendary Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Pictures, are handling the movie’s production. The announcements about a movie have led to speculations about whether the movie will be a blockbuster or a flop. Some commenters agreed that the movie showed creativity, while others hated the images from the upcoming movie.
The initial trailer released last year sparked a lot of negative feedback from the fanbase, with some terming it a mess. Gamers also commented that the humor in the movie did not hit home, while the live-action was “disorienting.”
The movie’s director, Hared Hess, and its producer, Torfi Frans Olafsson, reportedly addressed the backlash the first trailer received in an interview in November last year. Hess and Olafsson explained the challenges associated with adapting a sandbox game like Minecraft into a movie due to the different meanings the game had to fans. Hess reportedly insisted that the first trailer was expected to receive diverse feedback from fans depending on what they wanted the movie to represent for them.
The producer and director further pointed out fans’ criticism of the film’s live-action nature instead of its entirely CGI-animated nature. Olafsson mentioned that fans were disappointed in the live-action due to their time playing Minecraft and their imagination.
Minecraft has other plans to engage its community
A Minecraft Movie is still expected to make significant strides during its opening from April 4 to 8 and is projected to garner about $58 million. The film has partnered with several companies, including McDonalds, to boost the upcoming movie.
The restaurant chain will launch the A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal and A Minecraft Movie Meal on April 1, introducing a limited Nether Flame Sauce and other Minecraft-themed meal offerings. The Happy Meal will come with one of 12 figurines from the movie or Block World toys. A Minecraft Movie Meal could contain one of 6 collectibles from the movie and the restaurant chain’s icons.
Minecraft has collaborated with other franchises to increase gamers’ engagement while playing the game. The game developers have released multiple DLC based on other franchises, including Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jurassic Park, and Kung Fu Panda. The developers have maintained the game’s relevance to gamers over the past 14 years
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