'Minecraft' Coming to PS3: Release Date Arrives Dec. 17, Hits PS4 in 2014

“Minecraft” will hit Sony’s PlayStation 3 on Dec. 17 in North America. The PS3 adaptation of the popular title will be exactly like previous versions of the game, but it will also come with downloadable skins and texture packs that can be purchased from the PlayStation network shortly after the title's PS3 release. The game is still in development for the PS4 and PS Vita.

Mojang’s sandbox indie game has grown significantly in popularity since its launch in 2009 and has sold more than 12.5 million copies on the PC and more than 33 million copies spanning all platforms as of Oct. 23, 2013. The game rose to acclaim partly as a result of users sharing “Minecraft”-related videos via social media sites Reddit, YouTube and Facebook. Research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania discovered that one-third of “Minecraft” fans had found out about the game through online Let's Play videos and walkthroughs. “Minecraft” allows players to create and build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D-generated backdrop. You can also gather resources and items, participate in combat and explore the open-world setting.

Created by Swedish programmer Markus “Notch” Persson, the game launched for the PC on May 17, 2009, as a developmental version. More than two years later, 4J Studios developed a full and more advanced version. In 2012, “Minecraft” hit shelves for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade. The game also received five awards from the 2011 Game Developers Conference, including the Innovation Award. The game is well-known among players due to its truly open-world backdrop. Gamers have complete freedom and no specific goals, though there is an achievement system. You can also choose to play in a third-person mode, but first-person is the default.

Will you play the PS3 version of "Minecraft," or will you wait for the PS4 version to launch? Leave a comment below.