Microsoft expected to announce Minecraft deal on Monday

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Microsoft is all set to announce a $2.5 billion deal to buy Mojang, maker of Minecraft on Monday. The deal, which has been rumoured since earlier in the week, is being aimed at bringing more users to Microsoft’s mobile platform rather than the PC or Xbox, according to Reuters.

So far, Microsoft hasn’t commented on the deal, saying that they don’t like to discuss rumours, but the potential for the game on Windows Phone devices is likely to be very compelling for the company. Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson has previously stated that he wouldn’t design a Windows Phone version of the game because the market share for the OS is so small.


According to Dave Bisceglia, Chief Executive of independent game studio Tap Lab: “It seems like Microsoft is looking at Mojang and Minecraft as a way to tap into this enormous cultural phenomenon, If you look at iOS, Minecraft has been a top-grossing game for quite some time, if Microsoft could on Windows phones give players a unique and compelling experience that you can't get on the other platforms, that could be a driver to sell devices to existing Minecraft fans."

Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson has been no stranger to turning down potential business in the past, famously cancelling an Oculus Rift port of the game in March when it was revealed that Facebook had purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion. Considering how outspoken Notch has been about his displeasure for Windows in the past, when he told Microsoft to stop "trying to ruin the PC as an open platform," this deal would be an interesting divergence from his previous beliefs.

Despite these comments, Notch has not only joked about endorsing companies for $2 billion, but also asked back in July if anyone would like to buy out his shares in the company as he was fed up with the hate coming from players of the game.

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Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-expected-to-announce-minecraft-deal-on-monday

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"Microsoft expected to announce Minecraft deal on Monday" :: Login/Create an Account :: 79 comments

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NujabesPosted:

Microsoft is going to purchase Minecraft and start charging monthly fees to play it. :P !!! "Keep in mind I'm just being sarcastic when I say this... but I mean, could happen?"

vWatsoncPosted:

So does this mean they can just take minecraft away from the Playstation store because that's not cool, also Notch said the he was fed up with the hate coming from players of the game, he needs to understand that trolls are everywhere on the internet and because his game is so popular it attracts more trolls and haters so come on Notch don't use it as an excuse to be a sell out !

TTG_DIGITALPosted:

I am willing to bet that microsoft has bought out minecraft.

ipPosted:

It seems that all the large companies are buying out the smaller independent companies which I think is sad. I know that is how the world works but I also believe that MS or Sony should give them a while to show that they are capable of producing a game that everyone likes and then the company would expand and create a wide variety of other games.

HippieSabotagePosted:

i knew they would buy it, i wonder if it will still be on playstation know?

MissPosted:

They probably bought it, wouldn't be surprised at all.

R3voPosted:

well minecraft is just going to go downhill. Pc is probably not going to ever get updates and when we get updates Microsoft will make sure the xbox has all the features for 10months.

GaryPosted:

Skurt They better not keep Minecraft for only Microsoft systems and such.. and remove it off psn!


They wouldn't, 4j Studios makes the console ports not mojang directly so the ps versions should be safe.

SkurtPosted:

They better not keep Minecraft for only Microsoft systems and such.. and remove it off psn!

SkamaPosted:

Guys. Microsoft isn't going to ruin Minecraft. Microsoft isn't EA or Activision or anything like that. All they will do is make it better. Instead of waiting months for Updates to consoles they will make them quicker to catch up to the PC versions. They probably just want to bring Minecraft to the Windows Store for use on Windows Phone and Microsoft Surface Tablets.

The only thing that will make it "bad" is that Microsoft will definitely put exclusive Skins, Texture Packs, ect on Microsoft Platforms like Xbox & Windows. Also updates for Playstation may take a little longer to get there, the same way Call of Duty DLC comes first to Xbox.


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