The rumor mill is grinding again, and this time it’s got something quite juicy in its grasp. According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is looking to buy Mojang for quite a sizable chunk of cash, and the deal could be signed this week.
According to the article, a person with knowledge of the matter said that the deal would be valued at more than $2 billion, but Microsoft spokesmen and Mojang’s CEO both declined to comment.
This is an extremely surprising move if it’s true. Mojang has shunned outside investment and is fiercely independent. The Swedish company’s founder, Markus “Notch” Persson has often ranted against big corporations and promised never to bow to the big dogs. I would assume that any deal he’d consider would have to be super beneficial to the company – he’s certainly not doing it for the money considering that he’s already got more cash than he knows what to do with. When Oculus was bought out by Facebook in a recent deal, he was extremely critical of the move – Mojang even announced they’d no longer bring Minecraft to the Oculus Rift is this was the case. I wonder if Notch can make a similar deal with Microsoft without being called out as a hypocrite.
Microsoft has done very well with Minecraft on their platforms. Obviously the game runs on PC, but it has also been extremely successful on Xbox 360 and has recently launched on Xbox One. I’m sure a relationship like this could be hugely beneficial to Microsoft, so I have to wonder what they could bring to the table that would convince Mojang to give up their independence.
Who knows what the next big Mojang hit will be, but with Microsoft determined to make the Xbox One a success, perhaps it will be exclusive to that platform. Or maybe they just want to let us add the Lego-inspired gameplay to our Skype and TV experience.
Last Updated: September 10, 2014
Pieter Kruger
September 10, 2014 at 09:39
All Hail Capitalism!!
robrt3214
September 10, 2014 at 10:38
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Macethy
September 10, 2014 at 09:48
They should bundle Minecraft with Windows 9 if the deal turns out to be true 🙂
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 10, 2014 at 09:51
THAT sounds like a winner!
Macethy
September 10, 2014 at 10:35
It can finally replace Minesweeper 🙂
Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora
September 10, 2014 at 10:39
looooooooooool GG
WarframedSquirrel
September 10, 2014 at 10:03
Notch, please don’t sell out to them! It would be the death of MineCraft!
Pieter Kruger
September 10, 2014 at 10:04
To whom should they sell then?
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 10, 2014 at 10:21
Why does he have to sell?
WarframedSquirrel
September 10, 2014 at 10:38
Hopefully no one.
Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora
September 10, 2014 at 10:10
Don’t sell. Do not do this. This will be the end of minecraft 0_o
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 10, 2014 at 10:11
$2 billion is a very big bone.
Simon
September 10, 2014 at 11:27
“Sir would like Diamond tools, here is this new dlc, sir would like to update his game to the new version, pay this upgrade fee” NO thanks!