Console version of Mojang’s PC indie hit to be exclusive to Microsoft’s hardware; playable version planned to be shown at MineCon fan convention next month.

At Microsoft’s Electronic Entertainment Expo media briefing in June, the company announced a Kinect-enabled version of Mojang’s PC indie hit Minecraft would be released for the Xbox 360 this winter. However, construction on the world-building Xbox Live Arcade title is taking longer than anticipated.

Microsoft producer Stuart Platt posted on his Twitter account yesterday that the game is now slated for a spring 2012 release. As for a specific release date, Platt said that likely would not be revealed until next year.

The console version of Minecraft will be exclusive to Xbox 360, with development of the port being handled by 4J Studios. The outfit has specialized in ports to Microsoft’s console in recent years, having produced Xbox 360 editions of Rare’s Nintendo 64 games, including Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, and Perfect Dark. 4J Studios also worked on 2007′s well-received PlayStation 3 port of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Gamers hoping to try a playable Xbox 360 version of Minecraft should get a chance to do so next month at the inaugural MineCon convention. Held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from November 18-19, MineCon will coincide with the full launch of the PC version of Minecraft, which is technically still in beta.

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