With the release of 'A Minecraft Movie' on April 4, fans and fun-seekers will no doubt find themselves lining up outside movie theaters. Gamer or not, another exciting development is the slew of promotions related to the film. These will include Minecraft baseball nights, Minecraft Oreos, and Minecraft prebiotic soda. However, the headline grabber is a limited edition McDonald’s 'A Minecraft Movie' Meal available from April 1.

The McDonald's marketing whizzes have harnessed the creativity of Minecraft, a game that asks players to build imaginative worlds, in their meal. The meal comes with a choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, and a drink. It also includes a limited-edition collectible, mimicking the beloved Happy Meal, but for adults.

Is your mouth watering yet? There's more. The McNuggets are served with McDonald's all-new spicy 'Nether Flame Sauce', inspired by The Nether - the fiery, magma-filled underworld of Minecraft. This tantalizing sauce will also be available as an addition to any other McDonald’s order during the promotion.

As gamers dive into the meal, they will discover six different possible collectibles - Big Mac Crystal, Birdie Wings, Fry Helmet, Grimace Egg, Soda Potion, or Zombie Hamburglar. Each takes on Minecraft's iconic blocky aesthetic, complete with a match card and an exclusive skin code for the Minecraft Marketplace.

The little ones aren't left out either. They get their own Minecraft Movie Happy Meal, which comes with the usual offerings paired with a Blockhead figure or a Block World. Inside, they'll find a QR code to unlock a game on www.happymeal.com, specially themed for 'A Minecraft Movie'.

In case Minecraft isn't your thing, you're not alone. But even non-players can appreciate this effective marketing strategy. A 2021 report highlighted that 56% of gamers are inclined to purchase from brands featured in their favorite games. Moreover, brands that permeate into games increase brand exposure with 33% of gamers discovering new brands through gaming.

Several fast food chains have taken note of this strategy. Remember when KFC Gaming launched its gaming console featuring a fried chicken warming drawer in 2020? Wendy's then attributed the success of their breakfast menu to their advertisements on streaming platform Twitch. Chipotle also jumped on the bandwagon, rewarding customers with in-game points for real-life food purchases last year.

Walking in the same path, McDonald's is fusing the lines between the virtual and real world via quick-service food. Taken up by both Minecraft fans and non-fans alike, it's clear that food is the undeniable king of promotional tools. Whether you're a Big Mac fan or a Chicken McNugget aficionado, there's a limited-edition collector's item just for you in the Minecraft Movie Meal. Moreover, the Happy Meal version includes a hamburger, cheeseburger, or Chicken McNuggets. So, gear up, because McDonald’s and Minecraft have come together to bring the game to the table.