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Microsoft in talks to buy Minecraft maker Mojang for over $2 billion

  • 10-09-2014 12:07am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭


    http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-in-talks-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-over-2-billion
    Microsoft is in "serious discussions" to buy Mojang, the creator of the massively popular online game Minecraft, for more than $2 billion dollars.
    The new report comes from the Wall Street Journal, who hinted that the deal could potentially come later this week. Mojang has long prided itself on being an "indie" company and keeping its in-house development team fairly small, so selling to Microsoft would be the largest development for the company thus far. Mojang currently employs 22 staffers, but less than half are developers and artists for Mojang's games.


    Minecraft earned over $100 million in profits last year, and has sold more than 50 million copies to date since it was first made purchasable in 2009. Expanding from its PC roots, Minecraft is now available on every major platform including the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, as well as smartphones.
    In addition to Minecraft, Mojang also develops Scrolls, a collectible card and strategy game similar to Blizzard's Hearthstone. The company is also expected to publish Cobalt, a sidescroller currently being developed by Oxeye Game Studio.


    While specific details are unmentioned, the deal could give Microsoft further access to distribution and promotion of Minecraft games on its console systems, as well as a major say in the continued development of the game.
    Minecraft creator Markus Persson has been no stranger to turning down potential business in the past, famously cancelling an Oculus Rift port of the game in March when it was revealed that Facebook had purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion. Still, the potential deal is reported to be in the late stages, so Mojang may become a part of the already massive Microsoft empire very soon.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,526 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    Two years ago, Notch tweeted his 'price'

    https://twitter.com/notch/status/281139739304800256


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    And it's done:
    http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/minecraft-microsoft-deal-official-1672143-Sep2014/
    Microsoft’s investments in cloud and mobile technologies will enable ‘Minecraft’ players to benefit from richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools and more opportunities to connect across the Minecraft community
    In other words the game is going to Microsoftised. Ah well - it had a good run.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 28,633 Mod ✭✭✭✭Shiminay


    In other words, they're going to try and rollout the stuff modded PC versions have always had to the console kiddies and try and claim it's revolutionary and then quietly let the PC version slide into obscurity...

    Don't begrudge Notch or his colleagues their good fortune tbh, he's always been consistent in not wanting to be a CEO or Figure Head and this deal means he's set for life and gets to do the things he's said he's always wanted to do which is make fun little games and write code.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,526 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    If at the end of the day I can still break blocks and place blocks, I'll be happy tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,526 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    Actually scratch that, maybe Microsoft can do something about boats, picture frames, and modding API. And also if you are a console player of Minecraft (they're people too), then it's great news for you.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,268 ✭✭✭✭MadYaker


    Kind of expected it to be honest, $2.5 billion is a lot of cash. Id be worried about the direction the game will take from here considering none of the original mojang team have remained. I assume they all got a chunk of the 2.5 and are currently busy purchasing yachts and lamborghinis, bastards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,031 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    For me it's all about the Linux version: if that is kept active, then I'm in, but if not, I'm out. (Though I am considering an Android tablet, if Google releases a good one later this year.)

    PS: Notch's comments: http://notch.net/2014/09/im-leaving-mojang/

    Death has this much to be said for it:
    You don’t have to get out of bed for it.
    Wherever you happen to be
    They bring it to you—free.

    — Kingsley Amis



  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,912 Mod ✭✭✭✭Ponster


    Talks over. Microsoft are buying for $2.5 Billion and Notch is leaving Mojang.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 220 ✭✭Ravenid


    And also if you are a console player of Minecraft (they're people too), then it's great news for you.

    Unless you own a Playstation.....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Rucking_Fetard


    Ravenid wrote: »
    Unless you own a Playstation.....
    You didn't even bother your hole to check this, 2 second google.

    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/sept14/09-15news.aspx
    Microsoft plans to continue to make “Minecraft” available across all the platforms on which it is available today: PC, iOS, Android, Xbox and PlayStation.


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