Minecraft Pocket Edition out now on Xperia Play

Mojang has released an alpha version of Minecraft for Android, currently exclusive to Xperia Play, which can be yours for $7.

The game will become available to other Android handsets once Sony's exclusivity period ends, with a possibility of other mobile devices getting in on the action later on.

Kotaku reports this early version is limited to the "creative" aspects of Minecraft. Players explore randomised world and choose blocks from a menu to build with, just as in early versions of the full game, and there don't seem to be any mobs to shamelessly attack, or shamefully run from.

Despite its limitations, the Pocket edition supports wifi multiplayer, and allows you to save your multiplayer worlds, too.

Expect updates to roll out following Mojang's usual pattern - rapidly.