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Microsoft Set to Buy Minecraft's Developer Mojang, Say Reports

Microsoft is preparing to purchase Minecraft's developer Mojang According to reports by Leo Kelion Technology desk editor



The video games studio behind Minecraft is in talks to be taken by Microsoft According to reports.



According to some reports, Mojang could be sold for more than $2bn (PS1.2bn).



The Swedish studio claimed it had sold 54 million copies of its world-building game in June. Since then, it has been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and has boosted sales even more.



Mojang's founder, Markus "Notch" Persson has previously publicly criticised Microsoft.



He claimed that Microsoft was trying to "destroy the Windows 8 operating platform as an open platform" by certifying third-party titles prior to its release.



He was also a staunch supporter of independent studios. In 2012, he declared that: "The more studios can be free of the publisher system the more games will be made out love rather than profits."



Bloomberg news agency claims it was Mr Persson, who "reach out" to Microsoft in the last month.
minecraft servers


It said that a source suggested if the deal went through the deal would be approved, Mr Persson would help with the transition, but it was likely to leave afterward.



The New York Times reported that Persson was expected to leave within six months. However the person who was briefed about discussions said that Persson is likely to leave within six months. However, he also said that Mojang wanted to keep its young developers.



A spokesman for Microsoft said: "We don't comment on speculation and rumours."



Mojang also declined to comment. BBC's questions weren't answered by Mr Persson.



Virtual world



Minecraft was first released in 2011 and has since become the third most popular game ever made and something of a popular culture.



The Victoria and Albert Museum in London hosted an evening that explored its design culture, Lego has made spin-off toys, Ordnance Survey has created an island version of mainland Great Britain within the game, and Denmark's government has created an accurate model of their country.



The title is set in a virtual universe made up of cubes made of various materials, such as dirt and rock. Most of these can be used as building blocks, or transformed into usable raw materials.



The blocks can be used to build shelters or make weapons to defend themselves against the zombies and other creatures that are in the game.



They can also participate in huge construction projects in order to flex their creative skills.



One of the most recent examples was the creation of a working virtual hard drive.



Mojang has worked on other games, but they have either failed to meet the standards of Minecraft's success - such as the role-playing game (RPG) Scrolls - or been put on hold until completion such as 0x10c an space-themed game that Mr. Persson was working on until the end of the year.



'Worried gamers'



The Wall Street Journal first reported negotiations between Mojang, Microsoft and that they may end this week.



It was also noted that this would be the first multibillion-dollar acquisition by Microsoft's chief executive, Satya Nadella, since Nadella took over Microsoft in the year 2000.



Harry Bradshaw, who has interviewed Mr Persson on the Twitch video site He said that a lot of gamers would be concerned by the news.



"There have been instances in the past of large corporations taking another's game and turning it into a huge money-making scheme, just to see what they can achieve," he said.



"Gamers are naturally concerned about this.



"And it is a bit confusing to me the reason Mojang would be able to sell out considering that it is the bestselling PC game of all time and continues to sell thousands of copies a day."



One market observer said it was unlikely that Microsoft would pull existing Minecraft games from sale for the PlayStation, Mac, Android, Linux and other rival platforms.



He also said that Microsoft's various systems might be given preference when it comes to future products.



"Minecraft is one of the most renowned IPs [intellectual properties] within the gaming industry that could be acquired," said Piers Harding-Rolls the lead games analyst at the consultancy IHS.



"The brand could last for the next 10 years,"



"So, even though it's an expensive investment It still has value for larger companies that want to get exclusive rights to a highly engaged franchise."



Minecraft maker shelves 0x10c game



19 August 2013



Minecraft creator attacks Windows



28 September 2012



Twitch



IHS



New York Times



Bloomberg



WSJ


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