Mojang will be joining Microsoft Studios, which also includes the studios behind blockbuster franchises such as "Halo," Forza, "Fable," and many more. Microsoft's investments in cloud and mobile technologies will allow "Minecraft" players to enjoy richer and faster worlds with more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect across the "Minecraft" community.
Microsoft will acquire Mojang according to the agreement for $2.5 billion.
Plussoc
Mojang:
Minecraft has grown from a basic game to an enormously important project. While we're extremely satisfied with what Minecraft has become, it was never Notch's intention for it to get this large.
As you may already know, Notch is the creator of Minecraft and is the majority shareholder at Mojang. He's decided that he doesn't wish to take on the responsibility of running a company of such global significance. Over the past few years he's made attempts to tackle smaller projects however the pressure of running Minecraft became too for him to handle. The only option was to sell Mojang. He'll continue to do amazing things, however. Don't worry.
There are only a few potential buyers who have the resources to develop Minecraft on a scale that it deserves. Since 2012, we've been working closely with Microsoft and were impressed by their dedication to our game's development. We're confident that Minecraft will continue to grow in a phenomenal way.
Markus "Notch" Persson:
I don't see myself as an actual game developer. I make games for fun and because I love programming and games. But I don't make games with the goal of making them a huge hit. I also don't want to change the world. Minecraft certainly became a huge success and people are telling me it's changed the way games are played. I never meant for it to do either. It's flatteringand fascinating to slowly be in the spotlight.
I have no idea what to do with this.
Update (2014-09-19: Josh Centers):
Minecraft is the most amazing game I have ever played. It's a mix of sandbox, exploration, world-building, and role-playing. It has a "conclusion" of sort (that you have to discover on your own) however, it doesn't end. You can play by yourself or with others or even manage your own Minecraft server and invite just your friends to play on it. It's not difficult to spend hours in Minecraft, and millions of players already have.
Acquisition Game Microsoft Minecraft
3 Comments
It seems to me like a given. Microsoft has decided that when Apple is able to go hi-res on their retina screens or operating system, Microsoft cannot differentiate itself. Instead they will "bet the entire company on red" and move to loco-res.
Imagine Windows Explorer with folder icons with a resolution of 8x8.
:-)
"I have no idea what to think of this."
Minecraft is the most significant thing that happened to games since Pokemon. Everyone plays the game and when Minecraft is well managed it will remain one of the most significant, widely played, influential franchises for at least another decade.
Games are crucial to Microsoft in two ways, as they are among the main drivers for selling new Windows PCs (and consequently Windows licenses) as well as because of the Xbox. Microsoft has attempted to develop games that were a bit like Minecraft in the past (Viva Pinata, Kodu, Project Spark) but they've mostly been unsuccessful.
Sony already owns Little Pig Planet, and Nintendo is now entering the "creative games that allow you to create stuff, rather than just consume stuff" field with Mario Maker. I also think they're right.