[RUMOR] Mojang to be acquired by Microsoft (Update3, It's Official)

[Rafy]

 

Microsoft Near Deal to Buy Minecraft Maker Mojang

Microsoft Corp. is in serious discussions to buy Mojang AB, the Swedish company behind the popular "Minecraft" videogame, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The deal would be valued at more than $2 billion and could be signed as early as this week, this person said.

 

 

Source: http://online.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-near-deal-to-buy-minecraft-1410300213

 

Update:

 

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.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-09/microsoft-said-near-2-billion-deal-for-minecraft-maker.html

 

Video of Bloomberg discussing the acquisition: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/popout/AZHnLX1rRHup0vjCq3M8QA/33.92/

 

If this is true it is totally unexpected!

EDIT: Like everyone else I want this not to be true but the source is The Wall Street Journal which has a decent amount of credibility when it comes to this sort of thing, I would not have posted it otherwise.

 

Update 2:

 

Enter Minecraft, which is the top paid app both on Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) iOS and Google Inc's (GOOGL.O) Android systems. Microsoft will unveil a $2.5 billion deal to buy its owner on Monday, according to a source briefed on the matter.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/12/us-mojang-microsoft-idUSKBN0H72EV20140912?irpc=932

 

Update 3:

Today is an incredibly exciting day for our team as Mojang and the Minecraft franchise join Microsoft. Minecraft is one of the most popular video games of all time, with more than 100 million downloads, on PC alone, from players since its launch in 2009. Minecraft inspires millions to create together, connects people across the globe, and is a community that is among the most active and passionate in the world.

Our relationship with Mojang began when we initially talked to the team about bringing Minecraft to the console. Minecraft quickly became the top online game on Xbox Live, with over two billion hours played on Xbox 360 in the last two years. That working relationship set the ground work for other opportunities. We’ve long seen the incredible potential of Minecraft.

At Microsoft, we believe in the power of content to unite people. Minecraft adds diversity to our game portfolio and helps us reach new gamers across multiple platforms. Gaming is the top activity across devices and we see great potential to continue to grow the Minecraft community and nurture the franchise. That is why we plan to continue to make Minecraft available across platforms – including iOS, Android and PlayStation, in addition to Xbox and PC.

The Minecraft community is passionate and diverse, ranging across all ages and demographics. We respect the brand and independent spirit that has made Minecraft great, and we’ll carry on the tradition of innovation to move the franchise forward. Our investments in cloud, Xbox Live and mobile technology will enable players to benefit from richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect with the Minecraft community.

We’re excited to confirm that MINECON will continue next year. We’ll look to create even more ways for the vibrant community of YouTuber’s, innovators, bloggers and players to connect with each other – both in person and online. We will have much more to share in the coming months.

The Minecraft team’s unique vision, creative energy and innovative mindset make them a perfect fit alongside our other global studios. Microsoft Studios includes 343 Industries, Turn 10 Studios, and Lionhead Studios just to name a few. These industry-leading game studios within Microsoft that have had great success with beloved games and massively popular franchises like Halo, Forza, and Fable. We’re excited to welcome Mojang to the Microsoft family and we are thrilled to support the success and longevity of Minecraft for years to come.

Phil

@XboxP3

 

Source: http://news.xbox.com/2014/09/games-minecraft-to-join-microsoft

[XTankSlayerX]

Oh boy.

[Guest Kloaked]

If this is true it is totally unexpected, why would Notch sell the company when he is making so much money from it?!

 

And after denouncing M$ way back when (unless they made up?).

 

@Askew speculation?

[TheKDub]

I'm guessing its a load of bullshit.

[flibberdipper]

This has to be bullshit.

[CtW]

I smell bullshit

 

If this is true however, then this be relevant:

[TheSLSAMG]

Oh yeah, like the rumour that they were going to be purchasing Cyanogen.

 

kden

[Enderman]

Notch does not own Mojang.

Notch is no longer a part of Minecraft.

[Kilerbomb]

Does anyone actually believe this? No way this is true.

[rambi36]

[TheKDub]

Notch does not own Mojang.

Notch is no longer a part of Minecraft.

 

Yes he does, he stopped working on minecraft, but he still owns the company. (They make other games rather than just minecraft)

[xox]

Am I the only one who thinks this is positive?

[Firearm2112]

Minecraft isn't making as much money as it used to. Remember, Mojang themselves only get 30 bucks per sale, and get no percentage of server buyable items.

[Enderman]

Yes he does, he stopped working on minecraft, but he still owns the company. (They make other games rather than just minecraft)

No he does not own the company. Mojang took over the development of minecraft from him. He is not part of Mojang, nor does he make any money off the games.

[TheKDub]

No he does not own the company. Mojang took over the development of minecraft from him. He is not part of Mojang, nor does he make any money off the games.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson

 

 Persson retained his position as the lead designer of Minecraft until the game's official launch in 2011, after which he transferred creative authority to Jens Bergensten

 

Known for Creating Minecraft, founding Mojang

[Ashley]

Am I the only one who thinks this is positive?

Microsoft could port it to C# which would run faster (C-based language + DX12) would make the game run smoother. Also their experience with servers would be helpful to hopefully stop stuttering/lag during online play.

 

But I also wouldn't want to see ads in my game I paid for... See: Skype.

[Enderman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson

 

 Persson retained his position as the lead designer of Minecraft until the game's official launch in 2011, after which he transferred creative authority to Jens Bergensten

 

Known for Creating Minecraft, founding Mojang

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojang

 

Following a paid trip and employment offer from Valve Corporation in early September 2010, Markus Persson founded Mojang alongside his best friend Jakob Porsér, with Carl Manneh later brought in as a CEO

 

He founded it, he does not own it.

[xox]

Microsoft could port it to C# which would run faster (C-based language + DX12) would make the game run smoother. Also their experience with servers would be helpful to hopefully stop stuttering/lag during online play.

 

But I also wouldn't want to see ads in my game I paid for... See: Skype.

Exactly, it would be so much better if it wasn't in Java (which let's face it, isn't designed for 3D shizzle anyways)

[TheKDub]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojang

 

He founded it, he does not own it.

 

Owners:

Notch Enterprises 

 

Founders:

Carl O. Manneh

Markus A. Persson

H. Jakob Porsér

 

Key people:

Markus Persson

Chairman of the Board

Carl Manneh

Chief executive officer

Vu Bui

Chief operating officer

Jonas Mårtensson

Vice president

[miyabwah]

[TheKDub]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojang

 

He founded it, he does not own it.

 

Also

 

http://notch.net/about/

Real name: Markus Persson

Job: Founder of Mojang

[EChondo]

Well there goes support for PS4 and PC! /s

 

I highly doubt this is true, but you never know...

[AlexGoesHigh]

Microsoft could port it to C# which would run faster (C-based language + DX12) would make the game run smoother. Also their experience with servers would be helpful to hopefully stop stuttering/lag during online play.

 

But I also wouldn't want to see ads in my game I paid for... See: Skype.

getting rid of java, all of my yes, but lets me realistic in here, if they bought it, they cease to support other platforms that isn't the xbox (unless mojang has some sort of legal binding to support a platform MC is on), maybe they keep pocket edition, (or just kill it and re made it for WP only) and i expect there's would be a chance to end support for the PC version, and they can do all of this simpling making MC2

 

we know microsoft, has a very shitty history with pc games in the last 10 years

[Nineshadow]

 

I think it's a little late for that.

[monstercameron]

notch has no where to go but down, If true he should sell mojang and live life like a deranged millionaire[perhaps even billionaire].