---
# System prepended metadata

title: "\n    Microsoft Set to Buy Minecraft's Developer Mojang, Say Reports"

---

<h1>
    Microsoft Set to Buy Minecraft's Developer Mojang, Say Reports</h1>
    <html><body><p><p><br/> Microsoft set to buy Minecraft's developer Mojang According to reports by Leo Kelion Technology desk editor<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The video games studio behind Minecraft is in talks to be bought by Microsoft, according to reports.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> According to reports, Mojang may sell for more than $2 billion (PS1.2bn).<br/></p><br/><p><br/> In June, the Swedish studio announced that it had sold about 54 million copies of its hit world-building game. Since then, the game has been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 which has further increased sales.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Mojang's founder, Markus "Notch" Persson has previously publicly criticised Microsoft.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> He claimed that Microsoft was trying to "destroy the Windows 8 operating platform as an open platform" by certifying third-party titles prior to its release.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> He was also a staunch advocate of independent studios. In 2012, he said: "The more studios can escape the publisher system, the more games will be created in love rather than for profit."<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Bloomberg news agency claims it was Mr. Persson who was the one to "reach out" to Microsoft just a few months ago.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The report said that a source suggested that in the event that the deal was approved Persson would be a part of the deal.  <a href="https://raunge.com/">What About</a> Persson could assist in the transition, but was likely to leave the company afterward.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The New York Times also stated that a source briefed on the talks had revealed that Mr Persson was scheduled to depart within six months, but added that Mojang was keen to hang on to its younger developers.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Microsoft spokesperson said that they do not comment on speculation or speculations.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Mojang declined to comment. Mr. Persson did not respond to the BBC's questions.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Virtual world<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Minecraft was first released in 2011 and has since grown to become the third-most popular game ever and has become an international phenomenon.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> London's Victoria and Albert Museum hosted an evening of exploration of the city's design culture. Lego has made spinoff toys, Ordnance Survey created a version for mainland Great Britain in the game, and Denmark has constructed an actual model.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The story is set in a virtual world comprised of cubes made of various substances, including dirt and rocks. Most of these are able to be used as building blocks, or transformed into usable raw materials.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The blocks can be used to construct shelters or even weapons to defend themselves against the zombies and other creatures that are in the game.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> They can also engage in massive construction projects to flex their creative skills.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> One extreme example was the creation of a virtual hard drive that could be used for work.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Mojang has also worked on other games, but they've either fallen short of Minecraft's success - like the role-playing game (RPG) Scrolls - or been shelved before completion - such as 0x10c, a space-themed game that Mr Persson was working on until last year.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> 'Worried gamers'<br/></p><br/><p><br/> The Wall Street Journal first reported on negotiations between Mojang, Microsoft and that they may close this week.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> It was 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 in 2003.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Harry Bradshaw, who interviewed Mr Persson via Twitch and stated that a lot of gamers would be concerned by the news.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "There are instances in the past of big corporations taking another's game and making it into a massive money-flip, just to see what they could achieve," he said.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "Gamers are naturally worried about this.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "It is mystifying to me what the reason is Mojang is able to make a profit when it is the most viewed PC game ever, and it sells thousands of copies every day."<br/></p><br/><p><br/> One market analyst said that it was unlikely that Microsoft would pull existing Minecraft games from the market for the PlayStation, Mac, Android, Linux and other rival platforms.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> However, he added that Microsoft's different systems could be preferred when it comes to future products.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "Minecraft is among the top IPs [intellectual properties] in the gaming industry that is acquirable," said Piers Harding-Rolls, lead games analyst at the consultancy IHS.<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "The brand is positioned to continue its expansion over the next ten years,"<br/></p><br/><p><br/> "So as an investment, even at a high cost, it still represents something of value to larger companies that are looking to acquire exclusivity around a highly-engaged franchise."<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Minecraft maker shelves 0x10c game<br/></p><br/><p><br/> 19 August 2013<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Twitch<br/></p><br/><p><br/> IHS<br/></p><br/><p><br/> New York Times<br/></p><br/><p><br/> Bloomberg<br/></p><br/><p><br/> WSJ<br/></p></p></body></html>
</h1>