[ALL] Report: Microsoft Closes In On Deal To Purchase Minecraft Developer For $2 Billion

[Handleit_44]

According to the Wall Street Journal, Mojang is close to becoming a part of the same studio family as Rare, Lionhead, and 343 Industries.

The newspaper claims that the deal could be worth nearly $2 billion and could be done within the week.

The deal would go some way to bolstering Microsoft's first-party lineup for the Xbox One, which is notably thin at the moment. Minecraft has already sold more than 50 million copies across PC, iOS, Android, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Vita, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. It remains to be seen if Microsoft would pull the versions from other platforms. This would seem to be a folly given that the game made $100 million just last year.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/09/09/report-microsoft-closes-in-on-deal-to-purchase-minecraft-creator.aspx?utm_content=buffer010eb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[Swarley]

[Steel Mamba]

2 bil wtf. I still don't even know what that game is about.

[Nucking Futs]

Game is addicting. I have about 4-5 friends that have been non stop playing it since it launched on XB1. Just building random shit and exploring. Lol. Ridiculous.

[SethMode]

It's an amazing game, but hasn't Notch effectively retired? Does Mojang even have any other games currently planned? I don't see what MS is buying here other than the rights to a game that the world pretty much already owns.

[Twigg4075]

It's an amazing game, but hasn't Notch effectively retired? Does Mojang even have any other games currently planned? I don't see what MS is buying here other than the rights to a game that the world pretty much already owns.

If they're paying that ridiculous amount of money you better believe they'll milk every ounce of that IP. You also need to understand that there is a ton of merchandise surrounding that game. Lunch boxes, clothing, etc.

[MrBill]

If they're paying that ridiculous amount of money you better believe they'll milk every ounce of that IP. You also need to understand that there is a ton of merchandise surrounding that game. Lunch boxes, clothing, etc.

Exactly. The merchandising will be 2nd to Halo.

[Handleit_44]

UPDATE: Notch initiated buyout and will leave once complete, source says.

UPDATE 10/9/14 9.55am: Minecraft creator Markkus "Notch" Persson instigated talks with Microsoft to sell developer Mojang, a new source has claimed, and will leave the company for good when the deal is complete.

That's according to a new Bloomberg report, which claims that Persson was attracted to the idea of a deal after striking up a close relationship with recently-promoted Xbox chief Phil Spencer.

The positive experience of working with Microsoft on the hugely successful Xbox versions of Minecraft is also said to be a factor.

But Minecraft is also now available on PlayStation 4 and PS3 and a Vita edition is also due for release. It's unclear what would happen to the ongoing development of the game on Sony's platforms in the event of a Microsoft buyout.

Both parties have so far declined to comment on the reports.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-09-microsoft-to-buy-mojang-for-usd2-billion-report?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialoomph

[SethMode]

If they're paying that ridiculous amount of money you better believe they'll milk every ounce of that IP. You also need to understand that there is a ton of merchandise surrounding that game. Lunch boxes, clothing, etc.

I get it. My point is that it is a singularly-focused video game that has already been a huge success outside of video games. It seems like a lot of money for something that will probably never be as popular as it already was. I don't doubt that they have plans, I just have a hard time imagining it living up to their expectations.

[Guest]

If they're paying that ridiculous amount of money you better believe they'll milk every ounce of that IP. You also need to understand that there is a ton of merchandise surrounding that game. Lunch boxes, clothing, etc.

I also imagine a ton of DLC or other additional add-ons to the game. I can also see Microsoft seeing this as their version of The Sims, where they release a game every few years or so with new themes. I've never played Minecraft, so I don't know if this is something that is possible, just spitballing a reason why.

[Nucking Futs]

Well they offer different Texture Packs. Cartoon Themed, Skyrim Themed and different skins for your character. Costs ranging from $0.99 to $2.99.

There's opportunity there.

[Twigg4075]

What is it with MS and the $2 billion mark? Isn't that what they bought Skype for?

[MrBill]

What is it with MS and the $2 billion mark? Isn't that what they bought Skype for?

It's a nice round number I guess

[Twigg4075]

MS be like...

[img] http://giphy.com/gifs/y8Mz1yj13s3kI[/img] You can have two billion dollars! YOU can have two billion dollars! You can have two billion dollars!

[Handleit_44]

Reuters reporting that Microsoft/Mojang deal will announce on Monday for $2.5 billion

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/12/us-mojang-microsoft-idUSKBN0H72EV20140912