Microsoft to buy Minecraft parent company Mojang for US$2.5 billion

The rumor about Microsoft buying the company in charge of the popular Minecraft game has become a reality. Earlier today via its website, Minecraft developer Mojang announced it has been bought by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. The announcement has also been made by Microsoft via its press site and Xbox Wire, but the posts at Mojang’s website and at the creator’s personal site do offer a more thorough explanation.

While Microsoft has been interested in the popularity and success of the game, game creator Markus Persson has been looking at new projects not connected to the successful franchise he created.

Persson said: “A relatively long time ago, I decided to step down from Minecraft development. Jens was the perfect person to take over leading it, and I wanted to try to do new things. At first, I failed by trying to make something big again, but since I decided to just stick to small prototypes and interesting challenges, I’ve had so much fun with work. I wasn’t exactly sure how I fit into Mojang where people did actual work, but since people said I was important for the culture, I stayed.”

There are some important facts this transaction brings:

• Mojang will continue with development for the PC/Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Vita, iOS, and Android versions of the game.

• Mojang predicts most or all company employees will continue to work.

• It is still unknown what will happen with other Mojang projects such as Scrolls.

• The acquisition can help bring the popular game to Windows Phone.

Markus Alexej “Notch” Persson, owner of Majong along with co-founders Carl Manneh and Jakob Porser, will say goodbye to the company once Mojang becomes property of Microsoft. About his plans after leaving the company, Persson also said: “As soon as this deal is finalized, I will leave Mojang and go back to doing Ludum Dares and small web experiments. If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I’ll probably abandon it immediately.”

“‘Minecraft’ is one of the most popular franchises of all time,” said Phil Spencer at Xbox. “We are going to maintain ‘Minecraft’ and its community in all the ways people love today, with a commitment to nurture and grow it long into the future.”

The acquisition will be closed late this year.

[Sources]: Notch.net: I’m leaving [http://notch.net/2014/09/im-leaving-mojang/]; Mojang: Yes, we’re being bought by Microsoft [https://mojang.com/2014/09/yes-were-being-bought-by-microsoft/]; Microsoft: Minecraft to join Microsoft [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/sept14/09-15news.aspx]; Xbox: Minecraft to join Microsoft [http://news.xbox.com/2014/09/games-minecraft-to-join-microsoft].