Notes

Minecraft Creator on microsoft Deal: 'It's about My Sanity'

Minecraft creator on Microsoft deal: 'It's about my sanity'



Just after Microsoft announced that it would purchase Minecraft Mojang, a developer of Minecraft, for $2.5bn, (PS1.5bn), Markus Persson, the Swedish developer behind Markus Persson - also known as Notch posted his own statement on the deal. We've reproduced it in full below:



I'm leaving Mojang



I do not consider myself an expert in game development. Bonfire.im I create games for enjoyment and because I enjoy programming. However, I don't plan to create huge hits. I also don't want to make a difference in the world.



Minecraft was certainly a huge success, and people are saying that it's changed games. It wasn't an accident. It's certainly gratifying and to slowly get placed in a public spotlight is fascinating.



A long time ago, I made the decision to quit Minecraft development. Jens was the perfect person to lead the project and I was eager to try to explore new ideas. While I tried to make it bigger initially I failed. However, since I chose to stick to small prototypes, interesting challengeshave come up, and I've enjoyed so much doing my work.



I wasn't entirely sure how I would fit in Mojang where people did actual work, but when people told me that I was important to the culture, I stayed.



A couple of weeks ago, I was suffering from a terrible cold at home and the internet was awash with hatred about me for a EULA situation in which I had nothing. I was confused. I didn't understand. I posted this frustration on Twitter.



Then, I watched the This is Phil Fish YouTube video and realized that I didn't feel as connected I thought I did to my fans. I've become a symbol. I don't want to be a symbol, accountable for something that I don't know or do not want to work on and that is always resurfacing to me. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a CEO. I'm a geeky computer programer who likes to have opinions on Twitter.



Once this deal is completed I will quit Mojang and return to Ludum Dares and other small web experiments. I'll probably end any project I accidentally create that is successful in gaining traction.



Considering the public image of me already is a bit skewed, I don't expect to avoid negative feedback by doing this however, at least at this point I don't have a need to read them.



I'm aware of this going against my previous statements spoken about in public. I don't have a good answer to this. I am also aware that many of you used me as a symbol for an apparent struggle. I'm not. I'm a human being and I'm struggling with you.



You are my best friend. You're all amazing. Thank you for creating Minecraft what it is today. There are just too many of us and I can't be accountable for something as large as Minecraft. In one sense, it's a part belonging to Microsoft today. It's been part of your lives for a long time and will continue to be yours.



It's not just about the money. It's about my mental health.


My Website: https://www.bonfire.im/