Fans of Minecraft on the mainland have received some good news: the globally famous sandbox game is coming to China.

Gaming firm  Mojang and their parent company Microsoft have announced a partnership with Chinese internet company Netease to launch a China-ready version of the PC and mobile versions of Minecraft, according to an announcement from Microsoft.

Minecraft already has a huge following in the mainland, though like many foreign gaming offerings, a lack of language support, community and payments options makes playing the game inconvenient for regular consumers.

The five-year deal with NetEase will include releasing a version of the game “tailored for the Chinese market,” which could potentially involve local payment options and Chinese-language support.

Minecraft has over 100 million users globally, gaining a huge following due to its highly-customizable nature which appeals to young children and adults alike. The game requires a one-time purchase, and can be played offline.

Minecraft creator Mojang was founded in 2011 and purchased by Microsoft in 2014 for $2.5 billion. None of the companies involved have given any indication as to when the Chinese version will launch.

Cate is a tech writer. She worked as a journalist in Australia, Mongolia and Myanmar. You can reach her (in Chinese or English) at: @catecadell or catecadell@technode.com

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