Free Minecraft

I use to be able to login to Minecraft and play some of the earlier beta versions for free. Why is it such a problem that people have to pay to play on older version of minecraft that might not even work half the time. I remember it saying when playing older versions that some maps may not be available do to errors. That playing these old versions you take a chance that the game may not work correctly. Thats fine for me. I would like to play some of those older versions. And im sure others would too. Bringing back free play to older versions isn't going to break the Minecraft Bank. In fact it might bring in more business. For some you could play the older version and like it and then want to buy the new version and play with friends. Personally i dont see any reason why i should have to Pay to play a game in single player where i cannot interact with other's or to play in the new version. Playing an older version that may not work should be free and wouldn't effect any of the new on goings with the administration of minecraft. There wouldn't be any help. There wouldn't be any troubleshooting. One could go and play and remember those good old days of breaking blocks and running from the monsters. And minecraft would be remembered as the greatest game ever invented. Now all i remember is how they became billionares and could care less about their older generation customers!!