Microsoft Set to Buy Minecrafts Developer Mojang Say Reports

Microsoft plans to buy Minecraft's developer Mojang according to reports by Leo Kelion Technology desk editor

According to reports, Microsoft is in negotiations to acquire Minecraft's video games studio.

According to some reports, Mojang could be sold for more than $2bn (PS1.2bn).

The Swedish studio claimed it had sold 54 million copies of its game in June. Since then it has also been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 which has further increased sales. souldevteam

Markus "Notch", the Mojang's founder Mojang, has previously been publicly critical of Microsoft.

Prior to the release of the Windows 8 operating system, He had stated that Microsoft was "trying to destroy the PC as an open platform" because it wanted to validate third-party games prior to their release.

He was also a strong supporter of independent studios. In 2012, he declared that: "The more studios can escape the publisher system the more games will be created with love, not for profit."

However, according to Bloomberg news agency, it was Mr Persson who "reached out" to Microsoft a few months ago.

According to the source, Persson would assist with the transition if the deal is approved. However, it's unlikely that Persson will stay on until the deal is finalized.

The New York Times also reported that a person who was briefed on the talks had stated that Mr. Persson was expected to leave within six months, but added that Mojang wanted to hang on to its younger developers.

A spokesperson for Microsoft said: "We don't comment on speculation or rumours."

Mojang declined to comment. Mr Persson did not respond to the BBC's questions.

Virtual world

Minecraft was first released in the year 2011 and has since become the third most popular game ever and something of an international phenomenon.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has hosted a night which explored the culture of design, Lego has made spin-off toys, Ordnance Survey has created a version of mainland Great Britain within the game and Denmark's government also built a scale model of its country.

The title is set in a virtual world comprised of cubes made from various materials, including dirt, rock and lavas. These cubes can be used to construct blocks or be converted into usable raw materials.

The blocks can be used to construct shelters or to make weapons to defend themselves against the zombies and other creatures in the game.

They can also participate in large-scale construction projects in order to show off their creativity.

One example of extremes was the creation of virtual hard drives that could be used to work.

Mojang has worked on other titles, but they have either not achieved Minecraft's success - such as the role-playing game (RPG) Scrolls - or been shelved before completion - such as 0x10c, a space-themed game that Mr Persson had been working on since the end of last year.

'Worried gamers'

The Wall Street Journal was first to report on negotiations between Mojang and Microsoft in which they claimed that the deal could be finalised this week.

It noted that this would be the first multibillion dollar acquisition by Microsoft's chief executive, Satya Nadella, since when he was appointed to the company.

Harry Bradshaw, who has interviewed Mr. Persson on the Twitch video website, said that many gamers are worried about the news.

"There are instances in the past of big corporations taking someone else's game and making it into a massive money-making scheme, just to see what they could achieve," he said.

"Gamers are naturally concerned about this.

"It is an unanswerable question to me as to why Mojang is able to make a profit, considering that it is the most popular PC game ever created and sells thousands of copies every day."

One market analyst said that it was unlikely that Microsoft would pull existing Minecraft games off sale for the PlayStation, Mac, Android, Linux and other rival platforms.

He also said that Microsoft's systems could be given preference when it comes to future products.

"Minecraft is one the leading IPs [intellectual properties] within the gaming industry that could be acquired," said Piers Harding-Rolls, lead games analyst at the consultancy IHS.

"The brand is able to last for the next 10 years,

"So, even though it's an investment that is expensive, it still has value for larger companies looking to obtain exclusive rights to a highly-engaged franchise."

Minecraft maker shelves game

19 August 2013

Twitch

IHS

New York Times

Bloomberg

WSJ