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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 that developed the popular video game Minecraft for $2.5bn (PS1.5bn).



The game, which has sold over 54 million copies, lets players to construct structures using retro Lego-style blocks and explore the vast map and fight other players.



The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.



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



Some analysts have speculated that the deal is designed to attract more customers to Microsoft's Windows Phone devices.



This acquisition comes one year after Microsoft bought the Finnish mobile phone Nokia's handset and devices division.



Minecraft is one of the most popular games on the Apple iOS store and Android's Google Play, and has recently been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and has boosted sales even more.



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



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



Microsoft announced that the Mojang team will be joining its game studio, which is responsible for games such as Halo, Forza, and Fable.



The chief executive of the tech giant, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than an excellent game franchise - it is an open world platform, powered by a vibrant community that we cherish, and rich with new opportunities for the community as well as for Microsoft."



Opposition to the sale



Mojang's founder, Markus "Notch" Persson, has previously criticised Microsoft, and commented to Reuters that the market for Windows phones was "tiny" and not worth the effort of developing apps for.



Minecraft has a large and enthusiastic cult fan base, many of whom have expressed their anger at what they believe is the corporate takeover of an independent, community-minded company.



"Makes me sick, and sad," wrote one user on a popular Minecraft forum. EvilBatsu stated, "It would kill off the gaming community."



Others expressed concerns about the ability of fans to show their talents.
Minecraft servers


"Not only will it cost more money to play the game, it will cost people their jobs too. Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as a profession however, should Microsoft takes over there will for sure be copyright issues."



Some players pointed out that Microsoft could devote larger resources to expanding and upgrading the game.



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



It was stated that the acquisition was anticipated by the end 2014



In a statement confirming the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, by saying: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and you - the community - are crucial to everyone involved. If you take one thing away from this post please let it be that."



In relation to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only a handful of potential buyers with the resources to develop Minecraft on a scale that it is deserved."



The firm added that "Notch" has decided that he "doesn't want the responsibility of running a company of such global significance".



Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:



"I've become an image. I don't want to become a symbol. I don’t want to be responsible for something that I don't know about. I don't want to tackle. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive."



Read the entire statement



Why Minecraft?



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



"Not only is it profitable, but it continues to grow in terms of profits even after its launch, largely due to the enthusiastic community of fans who invest in the creation of their own Minecraft worlds.



"That is a reason the reasons Microsoft would want Minecraft and would want to ensure that it's always accessible on Microsoft's gaming platforms.



Prof. Mark Skilton, from Warwick Business School, said the acquisition was about building the "strong customer base" for Microsoft.



"The online gaming industry is fast moving from niche collective enthusiast to mass-market and Minecraft is a sensible choice since big business is following the traffic numbers in the digital world."



Last month, Amazon bought Twitch, an online platform that allows users to watch others play video games for $970m (PS597m).



"It's about my sanity."



Microsoft is 'set to buy Minecraft'



Microsoft completes Nokia phone deal



25 April 2014



Microsoft



NPD Group


Read More: https://minecraft-servers.xyz/