The LEGO Minecraft theme is based on the video game Minecraft and a collaboration between Mojang and the LEGO Group. Sets in this theme were all based on the traditional LEGO minifigure scale. Minecraft is a sandbox indie game originally created by Notch (Markus Persson) and later developed and published by Mojang / Microsoft. The official release occurred in 2013 with the first set, Minecraft: Micro World: The Forest, released under LEGO Ideas and was created by Mojang through the LEGO CUUSOO program in 2012. At MineCon 2013, LEGO announced brand new minifigure-scale Minecraft sets.
2014 LEGO Sets
2014 brought The LEGO Movie to theaters, propelling LEGO to unprecedented mainstream success and spawning its own theme. LEGO Star Wars celebrated 15 years, while Ninjago—originally planned for retirement—was extended following strong sales and a hit TV series. The first minifigure-scale Minecraft sets appeared, and LEGO The Simpsons launched with The Simpsons House and a dedicated minifigure series. Other additions included LEGO Juniors and the digital-physical LEGO Fusion, while a fan-designed Ghostbusters Ecto-1 commemorated the film’s 30th anniversary. Galaxy Squad, The Lone Ranger, and The Lord of the Rings ended during this period.