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



The game, which has sold over 54 million copies, allows players to build structures using Lego-like blocks, as well as explore the vast map and battle others.



The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.



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



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



The acquisition comes one year after Microsoft bought the handset and devices division of Finnish mobile phone firm Nokia.



Minecraft is among the top-selling apps on both the Apple iOS store and Android's Google Play, and has recently been made available for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, further boosting sales.



In the month of March, it was the third most-loved console game, according to market research firm NPD Group, despite being available for sale for a few days.



The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, brought in more than $100 million in revenue last year, and employs approximately 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.
International


The chief executive of the tech giant, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than a great game franchise. It's an open-world platform driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about and brimming with exciting opportunities for the community as well as for Microsoft."



Opposition to the sale



Markus "Notch", Mojang's founder, has previously criticized Microsoft and stated to Reuters that there was a niche market for Windows phones, and it was not worth developing apps for.



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



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



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



"Not only will it cost more to play the game, it will cost people their jobs as well. Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as their career, but should Microsoft is the new owner, there will definitely be copyright issues."



Some players suggested that Microsoft could invest more money on expansions and improvements.



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



It was stated that the acquisition was anticipated to be completed by the end of 2014.



In a statement that confirmed the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, declaring: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and you , the community, are vital to everyone involved. Let this be the one 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 on a scale that it deserves."



The company added that "Notch" had made the decision that he "doesn't want the responsibility of running a company with such global importance".



Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:



"I've become an icon. I don’t want to be an object of ridicule. I don't want be accountable for something I don't know about. That I don’t want to tackle. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a CEO."



Read the entire statement



Why Minecraft?



James McQuivey of analytics firm Forrester has stated that "Minecraft is among the most important gaming properties in the world".



"Not only is it profitable, but it continues to increase in terms of profits even after its release, largely because of the ardent community of fans who invest in creating their own Minecraft worlds.



"That helps to explain why Microsoft would like Minecraft and would like to ensure it is always accessible on Microsoft's gaming platforms.



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



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



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



"It's all about my sanity"



Microsoft is 'set to buy Minecraft'



Microsoft completes Nokia phone deal



25 April 2014



Microsoft



NPD Group


Website: https://international-dir.com/