If Minecraft was owned by EA...

cherryghost

EA were interested in buying them, kind of!

What do you think EA would've done to the game/franchise? Would you continue to play/encourage friends to play it?

In a recent interview with Develop, Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson discusses EA CEO John Riccitiello's visit to the Stockholm headquarters of Mojang, saying that any acquisition hopes Riccitiello might have had were quashed by the independent studio's vibe. It's no surprise that the highly successful independent developer behind a game that's now sold more than three million copies has to fend off offers left and right. Venture capitalists want to give them money ("we basically don't need it" said Persson during the full interview), and the CEOs of large game companies come calling, as EA's head honcho did earlier this year.

Well, EA came to see us. I think they had plans, but the picked up the vibe. Nothing has been said since – it's all very high politics.

According to Develop, Riccitiello made a special trip to Stockholm just to visit the house of Minecraft. I contacted EA for confirmation, and was told that while EA doesn't comment on their mergers and acquisitions activity, "John's trips to Sweden are more likely related to marveling at the progress DICE has made on Battlefield 3."
Notch also confirmed the DICE visit with me. "He was visiting DICE primarily, but spent a long lunch with us," he said. "Nobody ever mentioned anything about any M&A during that lunch, but there has been definite hints earlier from other people at EA."
That having been said, Riccitiello doesn't seem like the sort of fellow that just stops by a ridiculously successful indie developer's office for a sandwich. Perhaps Notch was right, and he didn't find the taste to his liking. Mmmm, Mojang vibe.

Personally I would have envisaged a closed server setup where people have to buy servers only registered sellers, making the entire game airtight and limited.


I'd also question the continuing allowance of modding. Doubt EA would be happy that their property would be altered so wildly.

pablomakaveli

You'd have to pay for every update.

Pay for skins and textures as DLC.

Pay to place a block, pay to mine a block, pay to move, pay everytime you log in, pay when you think of minecraft.

Kersmash

you'd only be able to buy certain tools as dlc no doubt. And there'd be certain dungeons only accessible using these tools or some other ****e.

gavmcg92

**mines through a block to find that there is diamond behind it**

"ATTENTION! Please insert credit card details in order to continue mining."

hare05

*Sees another player on the server, presses T*

"You are out of credit, please enter your credit card details to top up and continue messaging."

"Thank you for your order: Processing.... You have been disconnected from the server as EA's authentication servers cannot be reached."

Trevor451

They would release 20 expansion packs for it :rolleyes:

Shadow Mozez

If it was owner by EA severs would never be working.

pablomakaveli

I suppose you would need Origin now as well.:D

Crucifix

The servers would close down when minecraft 2012 comes out a year after the first one

hare05

Great news for Gamestop preorders! Buy now and get an adminmantium pick! Breaks all blocks in one hit, unbreakable, and uncraftable! Also adminmantium armor! Grants immunity to everything!

d'Oracle

There would be image licenses of real miners, available as DLC.
Like Juan Menendez from mineshaft number 3 in Cero Solo Uranium and Thorium mine in Argentina.

Each new ability added in each update would have a trademarked name but be largely ****ing useless in the game play.

xi3

Gets into server "Please Enter Online Pass" would totally ruin it but notch already has his money made

hal9000

2 words "pig armor"

hare05

hal9000 wrote: »

2 words "pig armor"

I would totally go for that.

Crazyfoolgaf

There'd be a big TOS as well, and under it they'd be able to scan your whole harddrive, activate your webcam/mic at any time/access the blueprints to your house, your bank account information, your medical history and other "anonymous customer service related details" :P

hare05

Most mines would be inaccessible and could only be entered by buying DLC at random NPC's trying to guilt you into going in.