Microsoft buying Mojang (Makers of Minecraft) for 2.5 Billion

[Wyndru]

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/9/61...e-buying-the-maker-of-minecraft-for-2-billion

This might be a repost, is a couple days old. If so please lock it up.

I'm worried about the direction ms would take mc in. I like the current state of it and the mods for this game are phenomenal. I hope this doesn't change.

They mention the purchase may be related to a windows phone release, but it's already on Xbox (and sucks on that console), so I don't see the point.. I'm hoping they aren't going to make it subscription based.

Update, it's official (thanks for the link thedosbox)
https://mojang.com/2014/09/yes-were-being-bought-by-microsoft/

 

[JumBie]

I hope they purchase it, currently Mojang has no fing idea what to do with it. The game needs a new engine, period. Hopefully Microsoft can push it in the right direction, Notch is too busy with his game thats already been beat to market by Hearthstone.

 

[Wyndru]

I guess they would be buying that game too then. I wonder what they plan on doing with all of the lesser known mojang projects.

Maybe notch is just throwing in the towel and cashing out. Another indie Dev bites the dust.


And regarding the game engine, if you mean visually and you are playing Minecraft for the graphics, you might be missing the point of the game.

 

[Wyndru]

I just read another article that speculates that it's about exclusivity more than anything else. Being Minecraft is the top selling app on android and iOS and has been for some time... They are likely going to make the mobile version of the game only available on windows phone. That makes more sense why they would be so interested. Apparently mojang had no original intention of making a version for windows phone because the market was so small.

I'm just surprised the deal is for the whole company acquisition, and not just licensing to the mobile version of mc.

 

[JumBie]

I guess they would be buying that game too then. I wonder what they plan on doing with all of the lesser known mojang projects.

Maybe notch is just throwing in the towel and cashing out. Another indie Dev bites the dust.


And regarding the game engine, if you mean visually and you are playing Minecraft for the graphics, you might be missing the point of the game.

No I mean they need to rewrite the whole engine in C++ or C#.

 

[IGemini]

It's a really weird time for Minecraft...specifically the development for Bukkit. I was helping to run a small server with a nice multiverse setup: seven different maps (The End, Nether, a sky world, a hub world plus four regular worlds), realtime maps, and a rather extensive portal network. Once Mojang took over bukkit, there was so much lag in recommended build releases that we put the server on hiatus. I really want to revive that server to eventually integrate it into our current maps, but now I seriously doubt that'll happen.

Within the past few weeks the lead dev for bukkit tried shutting down the project from stagnation, only to have Mojang step in and take over. The problem is Mojang had almost no involvement in development since the buy, and a large chunk of their dev team left en masse for varying reasons ever since.

I can't say if this will be good or bad. Maybe MS' money will pull enough of a dev team to get updates going effectively again, or they could end up changing the game content for the worse. It remains to be seen but the takeover is all but certain at this point.

 

[Wyndru]

The bukkit releases before Mojang took over were really lagged too. Recommended didn't even come out many times until after a new release was out from the mojang team. I think people just hoped that by it being taken over by mojang it would basically make them instant releases which unfortunately didn't happen.

I'm just hoping that the open code model they have now continues. Feed the beast has been the main focus on my servers starting with 1.6.4 and I really hope the auth server continues letting people into these older builds after MS take over. I get the strange feeling that this "anything goes" model for mod devs might change, and I just can't go back to vanilla after seeing what this game is really capable of.

 

[mizzou]

mojang is a pretty worthless company. they delivered a SOLID game, but it was a one hit wonder. from a artistic, technical, and imaginative level, they havent done anything notable. So far all they can do is add textures.

What microsoft values that is beyond me.

I would looooooooove to see a minecraft 2 that is done professionally and stays to the core a moddable sandbox.

 

[Kalmah]

I wish Lego would buy Minecraft and turn everything into lego pieces. Let me build moon bases, space ships, city scapes, pirate ships... you know everything that's lego. Then maybe add some kind of simulation mode... like a RTS. Or an expansion pack to make an RPG mode... or whatever.

 

[Ketchup]

This is a tough one. I personally haven't gotten into it, but all my kids love it, and the same is true for several others I know/work with. It's all over youtube. So, it's huge, and Microsoft will pay a fortune, because they know they are about the only ones who can. But, how long is it going to last? If they build a new engine with all that R&D, how much is that really going to get them?

Personally, I think Microsoft should let the one-hit-wonder enjoy their day in the sun. How much do they really think they are going to get out of it?

 

[thedosbox]

But, how long is it going to last?

That's the key. I doubt they'll make back $2 Billion in licensing revenue unless the game remains popular for years to come.

 

[Chaotic42]

Didn't the founder throw a huge fit when Facebook bought the Occulus Rift?

 

[mmntech]

Rumour has it that Microsoft wants to buy Mojang to break into the mobile gaming market. Windows Phone still has a major issue getting apps, and Minecraft has been a runaway hit on other mobile platforms.

Whether that deal is worth $2 billion is a whole different animal. Sure it comes with a lot of patents and talent from the team, but they have to be more than a one trick pony to justify that kind of cash.

Didn't the founder throw a huge fit when Facebook bought the Occulus Rift?

It's amazing how quickly someone can change their tune when a butt load of money is thrown at them. Even if Notch only sees a quarter of that, it pretty much guarantees he'll never need to work again.

 

[IGemini]

Even two years ago Notch apparently put out Minecraft as a $2bil sale.

Guy still has a 71% stake in Mojang and the deal might be up to $2.5bil. He would walk away with almost 1.8.

 

[Berliner]

MS is too late to this game.

They will squeeze a few phone sales out of it, but probably not $2B worth.

I'm also sad that another person will probably betray his principles.

 

[Wyndru]

Didn't the founder throw a huge fit when Facebook bought the Occulus Rift?

Notch has always been public with his anti-corporation comments, he has even had words for Microsoft, stating that they ruined the PC platform with Windows 8 and that they wouldn't release a version of MC for windows phone. I guess money changes things. I just didn't think he would sell the the whole company and quit though.

I wonder where that leaves his devs, I hope they get to stay on if they want.

 

[bbhaag]

This is a tough one. I personally haven't gotten into it, but all my kids love it, and the same is true for several others I know/work with. It's all over youtube. So, it's huge, and Microsoft will pay a fortune, because they know they are about the only ones who can. But, how long is it going to last? If they build a new engine with all that R&D, how much is that really going to get them?

Personally, I think Microsoft should let the one-hit-wonder enjoy their day in the sun. How much do they really think they are going to get out of it?

If I have to watch one more captain sparkles vid I might lose it. My 7yo is obsessed with that guy and follows his every move on youtube.

 

[Wyndru]

MS is too late to this game.

They will squeeze a few phone sales out of it, but probably not $2B worth.

I'm also sad that another person will probably betray his principles.

I think it's still pretty popular, if the YouTube channels and twitch streams are any indication. The game has its own conference each year...although I think it was postponed this year, so maybe things are changing. I see a ton of merchandise available at stores, so the brand recognition is there.

 

[thedosbox]

Confirmed by the man himself: https://mojang.com/2014/09/yes-were-being-bought-by-microsoft/

Microsoft acquired Mojang for a smooth 2.5 BILLION dollars

 

[Wyndru]

Confirmed by the man himself: https://mojang.com/2014/09/yes-were-being-bought-by-microsoft/

Thanks for the update, I modified the thread title.

 

[thedosbox]

Someone has put up a screenshot of the announcement as the site is down:

Notch also put up an explanation of why he's doing it:

http://pastebin.com/n1qTeikM

 

[mmntech]

Damn. I wonder how Nadella sold that one to the board of directors.

 

[SunnyD]

Cool, maybe I'll be able to get it for my kids for $4.99 now instead of the ridiculous price it costs currently.

 

[BrightCandle]

There was I thinking Microsoft was mostly over its brain dead stupid phase, guess not.

 

[Jodell88]

And a prominent member of the modding scene has already said that they're done with modding Minecraft.