Rumor: Microsoft to buy Mojang for around $2b (WSJ)

#1

The Verge - Microsoft said to be buying the maker of Minecraft for $2 billion

Microsoft is nearing a deal to buy Mojang AB, makers of the Minecraft video game franchise, according to a new report. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal would value Mojang at more than $2 billion and could be signed as soon as this week.

Microsoft and Mojang declined to comment to the Journal. As the Journal notes, the move would be surprising given that Mojang founder Markkus “Notch” Persson, is a darling of the indie gaming scene who has avoided taking venture capital. He has also criticized Microsoft’s Windows 8 for potentially being “very, very bad for indie games.”

Minecraft, which first came out in 2009, has sold more than 50 million copies. Mojang had $100 million in profits last year, according to the Journal.

#2

I am not sure what to think about this. Only bad stuff can come from it.

Would be an even huger payout for that team, then again do they need more money? :stuck_out_tongue:

#3

People are decrying the fact that Notch was complaining about Oculus during the Facebook acquisition. If this goes through, will it make him a hypocrite?

#4

I think in some ways maybe. Though the context is a bit different. He was more upset because Oculus was on Kickstarter, and he feels like he helped fund their acquisition. Where as with Mojang, it was always a company and people only paid for an alpha/beta and so on.

#5

Great news for Mojang. They don’t need the money, but since they haven’t managed to create any other IPs then they might as well cash in and start up a new company.

#6

[Microsoft Said Near $2 Billion Deal for Minecraft Maker][1]

The deal came together after Mojang founder Markus Persson reached out to Microsoft a few months ago, based on a positive working relationship on Minecraft for Xbox, said the person familiar with Microsoft.

The two companies quickly agreed on a framework and approximate price and have been working out the details since, the person said. Persson will help out with the transition, though he is unlikely to remain beyond that, according to the person.

Xbox chief Phil Spencer has a close relationship with Persson, and has flown out to have dinners with the Mojang founder, another person familiar with Microsoft said.

The software maker calculates it can boost Minecraft sales by expanding the number of game users through Microsoft’s position in video games and computers, and by expanding licensing for things like toys and movies, said one of the people.

.Seems that Notch is the guy who got the ball rolling.
[1]: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-09/microsoft-said-near-2-billion-deal-for-minecraft-maker.html