Microsoft is on the verge of acquiring Mojang, the maker of the iconic video game “Minecraft”, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.
The deal would reportedly value the company at $2 billion and would be the first major acquisition by new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Though played by people of all ages, Minecraft has a particularly strong following among teens and pre-teens and may allow the aging software giant to gain a foothold with a new generation of gamers and computer users.
Surprised but very impressed if Microsoft pulls off buying Minecraft. That is computing for many 8-12 year olds and more
— Josh Elman (@joshelman) September 10, 2014
First released in 2009 and available on multiple gaming platforms, Minecraft is most known for its open-ended style of game play. There is no specific goal or end to the game. Players build intricate buildings, landscapes, worlds and battle various mixes of attackers such as creepers, zombies and endermen. In addition to the game itself, Minecraft has also spawned a complex ecosystem of hacked versions – “mods”, youtube-based Minecraft shows and widely attended Minecraft conventions. The Stockholm-based Mojang reportedly made $100 million in profit last year through sales of the game and associated merchandize.
Unlike many other video game makers, Mojang has a game development staff of fewer than fifty people and focuses almost exclusively on a single game, Minecraft.
The expected sale comes as some surprise since Mojang’s enigmatic founder, Markus Persson (aka “notch”) has resisted outside investment in the past. According to Bloomberg, Persson will stay with the company through the expected transition but likely depart soon after.
Well that was fun while it lasted! Can’t wait to see how many name changes and re-branding attempts this baby goes through. Oh and the new restrictions to mods, price gouging at every turn and of course the added bloat to the code … Ugggggh I’m dreading breaking the news to my little ones …
Really? Microsoft is devolving to pixelated legos. Way to step on Apple’s moment today… NOT. It seems they are paying $2 Billion, just to get laughed at in certain circles… like the planet Earth.
Somewhere in [insert preferred destination here], Steve Jobs is laughing his ass off.
Good luck monetizing this one, Mr. Gates.
The one thing Microsoft could do with Minecraft that would enance their corporate reputation is to acquire it, then other than protecting it and nurturing it’s community and it’s growth, leave it alone.
This is, of course, Microsoft, and they can’t not meddle, exploit, corrupt, and destroy; but imagine the benefits to their corporate image if just this once they could play nice.
As if my ten year old son weren’t pissed enough already what with school starting back up. This is gonna put him over the edge.
And this is important…why? As long as they don’t touch Eve Online, I’m okay with it.