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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 title, which has sold over 54 million copies, allows players to build structures with retro Lego-style blocks and explore the world's largest map and fight other players.



The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.



Mojang the company, whose three founders have decided to leave the company, has assured its customers that "everything will be OK".



Analysts believe that the deal intended to boost Microsoft's Windows Phone users.
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The acquisition comes one year after Microsoft bought the handset and devices division of Finnish mobile phone company Nokia.



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 Xbox One and PlayStation 4, further boosting sales.



Despite being available for some time however, it was still the third most played console game last month , according to NPD Group market research firm.



The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, made more than $100 million in revenue in the last fiscal year, and employs about 40 employees.



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



The chief executive of the tech giant, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than an amazing game franchise. It is an open-world platform driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about, and rich with new opportunities for that community and for Microsoft."



Opposition to the sale



Mojang's founder, Markus "Notch" Persson has previously criticized Microsoft and told Reuters that the market for Windows phones was "tiny" and not worth developing apps for.



Minecraft has a large and enthusiastic cult following, many of whom have reacted angrily to what they see as a corporate takeover of an independent company that is spirited and community-oriented.



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



Others expressed concern over whether their skills would be shown by fans.



"Not only will it cost more to play the game it will affect people's jobs as well. Many players play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as a way to earn money, but when Microsoft takes over there will definitely be copyright issues."



Some players have suggested that Microsoft could devote larger resources to upgrading and expanding the game.



In an announcement, Microsoft said it would maintain Minecraft across all of its existing platforms, and with a "commitment to nurture and develop in the long run".



The company added that the acquisition was expected to be concluded 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 the community that you're part of are extremely important to everyone involved. Let this be the main thing you learn from this post.



With regard to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only a handful of potential buyers who have the resources to develop Minecraft to the size it deserves."



The company also stated that "Notch" had made the decision that he "doesn't want the responsibility of running an enterprise of such global significance".



Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:



"I've become an icon. I don't want to be a significator, accountable for something that I don't know and don't want to tackle, that is always coming back to me. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive."



Read the entire statement



Why Minecraft?



James McQuivey of analytics firm Forrester has stated that "Minecraft is one of the most important gaming properties around the globe".



"Not only is it profitable however, it continues to grow in profits years after its release, largely because of the huge community of fans who invest in building out their own Minecraft worlds.



"That helps to explain the reason Microsoft would want Minecraft and would like to ensure that it's available on Microsoft's gaming platforms.



Prof Mark Skilton, from Warwick Business School Prof Mark Skilton, from Warwick Business School, said the acquisition was about creating a "strong 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 big business follows the growth of traffic in the digital world."



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