Notes

Microsoft Pays $2.5bn For Minecraft Maker Mojang

Microsoft pays $2.5bn for Minecraft maker Mojang By Joe Miller Technology reporter, BBC News



Microsoft has acquired Mojang, the Swedish firm behind the popular video game Minecraft, for $2.5bn (PS1.5bn).



The game has sold to more than 54 million copies. It lets players create structures using old-fashioned Lego blocks. They can also explore large maps and battle with other players.



The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.



Mojang which has three founders who have decided to leave the company, assured customers that "everything is going to be fine".



Analysts believe that the deal is designed to increase the number of Microsoft's Windows Phone users.



This acquisition comes a year after Microsoft bought the Finnish mobile phone company Nokia's handsets and devices division.



Minecraft is one of the most popular apps on both the Apple iOS store as well as Android's Google Play, and has recently been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, further boosting sales.



This month, it was the third most popular console game according to market research firm NPD Group, despite being in the market for a short time.



The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, has made over $100m in profit last year, and employs approximately 40 people.



Microsoft announced that the Mojang team would join its game studio, which is responsible for titles like Halo, Forza and Fable.



The tech giant's chief executive, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than a great game franchise - it is an open-world platform powered by a vibrant community that we cherish and full of exciting opportunities for that community and for Microsoft."



Opposition to the sale



Markus "Notch", Mojang's founder has previously criticized Microsoft and told Reuters that there was a tiny market for Windows phones and it wasn't worthwhile to develop applications for.
SERVERS


Minecraft has a large and enthusiastic cult fan base, many of whom have reacted angrily to what they believe is an attempt to take over an independent, communally-spirited company.



"Makes me sick, and sad," wrote one user on a popular Minecraft forum. "It will ruin the gaming community,"" EvilBatsu added.



Others expressed concern about the possibility of their talents being showcased by their fans.



"It will not only cost more to play the game, but it will also cause people to lose their jobs." Many players play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as a way to earn money however, if Microsoft is the new owner, there will for sure be copyright issues."



Some players made the point that Microsoft could dedicate more resources to expanding and upgrading the game.



In a statement, Microsoft said it would maintain Minecraft across all its existing platforms, with a "commitment to nurture and grow it into the future".



It said that the acquisition was expected to be completed by the end of 2014.



In an announcement confirming the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, saying: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and you - the community - are extremely important to everyone involved. If you take anything out of this article, let it be that."



With regard to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only a handful of potential buyers who have the resources to expand Minecraft on a scale that it is deserved."



The company said that "Notch" was deciding that he did not want to be the person responsible for running a business with such global significance.



Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:



"I've become an icon. I don’t want to be a symbol. I don't want to be responsible for something that I don't understand. I don't want to do anything about. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive."



Read his entire statement



Why Minecraft?



James McQuivey of analytics firm Forrester said that "Minecraft is one of the most popular gaming properties in the world".



"Not only is it profitable, but it continues to increase in terms of profits even after its launch, largely due to the enthusiastic player base that invests in creating their own Minecraft worlds.



"That is a reason why Microsoft would like Minecraft and would want to ensure it is always available on Microsoft's gaming platforms.



Professor Mark Skilton from Warwick Business School said that the acquisition was about building a robust customer base for Microsoft.



"The online gaming industry is quickly growing from a small group of gamers to mass-market and Minecraft is a sensible choice as large businesses follow the traffic numbers in the digital world."



Amazon bought Twitch last month for $970 million (PS597m).



"It's about my sanity."



Microsoft is'set to purchase Minecraft'



Microsoft completes Nokia phone deal



25 April 2014



Microsoft



NPD Group


My Website: https://minecraft-servers.life/