Minecraft: Pocket Edition has been confirmed for an eventual release on Windows Phone, Minecraft developer Jens Bergensten revealed over Twitter.
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According to the tweet, the Windows Phone port is functional, but at this point the game is still a fair bit away from release. According to Minecraft: Pocket Edition developer Tommaso Checchi, the port runs slowly and requires much more work before Mojang will be ready to set a definitive release date.
Both Bergensten and Checchi were quick to point out that the port has been in the works before Microsoft's much talked about purchase of Mojang, quashing any rumors that the buyout is the only reason Minecraft is making its way to Microsoft's smartphone line.
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Let me clarify: With the help of MS, we've been working on a MC:PE Windows Phone port for a while, already before MS bought Mojang. Ok? =)
— Jens Bergensten (@jeb_) October 11, 2014
And nobody forced/threatened us if you're wondering! Actually, we started before the whole Microsoft thing :) — Tommaso Checchi (@_tomcc) October 10, 2014
Minecraft: Pocket Edition is already out for iOS, Android and Amazon Fire phones, and the game's multiplayer gameplay is cross-platform compatible, meaning Android users can play alongside iPhone users. The mobile port is a pared down version of the PC and console game, lacking some of the original game's survival elements. The Pocket Edition's next expected update is the in-progress 0.10.0 version.
Minecraft will also release on the PS Vita this week, providing a fuller handheld Minecraft experience.
