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

Microsoft plans to buy Minecraft''s developer Mojang, say reports By Leo Kelion Technology desk editor

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

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

In June, the Swedish studio announced that it had sold about 54 million copies of its acclaimed world-building game. Since then it has also been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and has boosted sales even more.

Markus "Notch", the Mojang''s founder Mojang, has previously publicly criticized Microsoft.

In the lead-up to the launch of the Windows 8 operating system, He had declared that Microsoft was "trying to degrade the PC as an open platform" since it had a desire to validate third-party games prior to their release.

He has also been an active supporter of independent studios declaring in 2012: "The more studios that can get rid of the publisher system and make games, the more games will be created from passion, not for profits."

But, according to Bloomberg news agency, it was actually Mr Persson who "reached out" to Microsoft in the last few months.

According to the source, Persson would assist with the transition if the deal were approved. However, it''s unlikely that Persson will stay on until the deal is finalized.

The New York Times reported that Persson was expected to leave within six months. Alusky.xyz However the person who was briefed about talks said that Persson was likely to quit within six months. However, Mojang wanted to keep its young developers.

Microsoft spokespersons have said that they do not comment on speculations and speculations.

Mojang declined to comment. Mr. Persson did not respond to the BBC''s questions.

Virtual world

Minecraft was released for the first time in the year 2011. It has since evolved into an instant hit and is the third most played game.

London''s Victoria and Albert Museum hosted an evening to explore its design culture. Lego has made spinoff toys, Ordnance Survey created a version for mainland Great Britain in the game, and Denmark has created an scale model.

The story is set in a virtual universe composed of cubes of various materials, including dirt rocks, and lava. These cubes can be used to build blocks or converted into usable raw materials.

Player use the blocks to construct shelters and weapons to defend their character against the game''s zombies and other creatures.

They can also take part in massive construction projects to demonstrate their creativity.

One of the most extreme examples was the creation of an online hard drive that could be used for work.

Mojang has also worked on other games but they either fell short of the success of Minecraft - like the role-playing game (RPG) Scrolls or were shelved before completion – like 0x10c, which Mr. Persson had been working on up until the end of last year.

''Worried gamers''

The Wall Street Journal was first to report negotiations between Mojang and Microsoft, saying that the deal could be completed this week.

It was also noted that this would be the first multibillion-dollar acquisition by Microsoft''s chief executive, Satya Nadella, since when he was appointed to the company.

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

He added that there have been instances in the past when big corporations took someone else''s game and transformed it into a massive flip to test the amount they could make."

"Gamers will naturally be worried about this.

"And it is a bit confusing to me what the reason is Mojang would sell up, bearing in mind it is the bestselling PC game of all time and still sells thousands of copies a day."

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

He also said that Microsoft''s systems could be preferred when it comes to the future of products.

Piers Harding-Rolls (lead games analyst at IHS) said that Minecraft is among the most important IPs (intellectual property] in the games space that may be acquired.

"The brand has the potential to continue expansion over the next ten years,"

"So, as an investment, even at a high price - it still represents something of value to larger corporations looking to acquire exclusivity around a highly-engaged franchise."

Minecraft maker shelves game

19 August 2013

Twitch

IHS

New York Times

Bloomberg

WSJ