a group of people are going to be filthy rich?
WSJ: ''Mojang to be bought by Microsoft'
- Thread starter Thomper
- Start date
a group of people are going to be filthy rich?
Disaster Nebraska
Banned
If true, this really makes me sad. Yet another instance of Microsoft buying stuff instead of adding value to the game industry on the whole.
Note how the Bloomberg highlights:
Which is fine, if that's the case. Hopefully Microsoft doesn't go into the corner with its ball, a ball that it neither created nor popularized.
But then
Yep. Just another Microsoft move by Microsoft. It's the branding that's important to them. Microsoft - historically - is just plain awful at fostering a good community with their products. Has been that way for decades. I don't see an acquisition by Microsoft improving Minecraft in any way, shape, or form.
Note how the Bloomberg highlights:
Which is fine, if that's the case. Hopefully Microsoft doesn't go into the corner with its ball, a ball that it neither created nor popularized.
But then
Yep. Just another Microsoft move by Microsoft. It's the branding that's important to them. Microsoft - historically - is just plain awful at fostering a good community with their products. Has been that way for decades. I don't see an acquisition by Microsoft improving Minecraft in any way, shape, or form.
I could see Microsoft pumping tons of money into it and making the Minecraft world much bigger. whether or not that would work out well...I mean probably not, but if they try, we'll see.
Ingueferroque
Banned
It's so strange because Notch has always been so outspoken about 'not selling out'. And now this? I guess he really just wants out of the industry?
This is terrible as a Minecraft fan, not because the XB1 hardware will limit what defines Minecraft 2, but because they have been so open in communication and incredible when it comes to free content, features, and updates.
This is terrible as a Minecraft fan, not because the XB1 hardware will limit what defines Minecraft 2, but because they have been so open in communication and incredible when it comes to free content, features, and updates.
funkystudent
Member
Minecraft is kind of already done. Well at the very least it has peaked.
Mojang has no 2nd golden goose in the works and in terms of Minecraft updates they have just been fiddling with it for years.
I highly doubt Minecraft has 2 billion left in it with the current set up. Maybe MS get milk some money out of that cow Mojang wouldnt do. Microtranactions etc....
Notch is a smart man and knows all this. And he probably doesn't want to be stuck with the shadow of updating Minecraft hanging over him forever.
Sell it off and move on. Buy a small moon.
Dude can always start another studio or work solo after a long contractually obligated vacation.
Yeah, this is my issue with it. Microsoft has this weird thing where they buy out stuff to extinguish competitors. People say that they're 'good business moves' on MS's part but this it's a bad thing on the consumer end.
WooHooAlex
Member
There are 54+ million copies of Minecraft out there, none of which they're making any money off of. Obviously they have future sales and the Minecraft toys ect... that will make a lot of money, but not enough to recoup 2 billion dollars.
So basically, one of two things has to happen happen... right?
They will release Minecraft 2 on Xbox, Windows Phone and Windows Games, which will piss off a lot of fans, but will force many to switch to that ecosystem to play Minecraft 2.
They will update the existing Minecraft across all devices to include micro-transactions, then release DLC and expansions exclusively on their platforms, piss off a lot of fans, but make boatloads of money.
So basically, one of two things has to happen happen... right?
They will release Minecraft 2 on Xbox, Windows Phone and Windows Games, which will piss off a lot of fans, but will force many to switch to that ecosystem to play Minecraft 2.
They will update the existing Minecraft across all devices to include micro-transactions, then release DLC and expansions exclusively on their platforms, piss off a lot of fans, but make boatloads of money.
Prototype Viktor
Member
Notch will throw 1 billion back to Square to help them finish ff15
TheExecutive
Member
Do we expect a saturation point for this game? Seems late to the party like when Montana went to the Chiefs.
Pseudo judo
Member
You could fund "hundreds of games" and never catch lightning in a bottle the way Minecraft has.
Disaster Nebraska
Banned
Would you say that Microsoft has a pattern of acquiring established IPs and not only pumping money into them but improving them? The only instance I can think of is Halo.
On the other hand, I can think of numerous instances where Microsoft acquires an IP and then it dies, not even including all of the internal studios and internal IPs that Microsoft has sent to the grave.
Since a lot of indie hits in the last 5 years were made with small dev teams with small budgets, it's actually very logical to fund "hundreds of games" in the hope of finding a few hits. It would also give your ecosystem variety, something that the Xbox platform currently lacks (at least in perception, if not in reality) compared to its competitors.
TheExecutive
Member
Probably both scenarios. 2 billion is a hefty price tag for the name alone. There are so many ways to improve upon the minecraft formula for so much cheaper.
uncredited male
Member
You mean the first couple chapters?
makingmusic476
Member
That's pretty much the point. Minecraft already happened. Why bet 2 billion that the developer can capture lightning in a bottle a second time when you can spread that across many developers and projects.
Steverulez
Member
If Notch really did approach MS, they would be crazy to say no, really. Especially based on a couple of other things in the Bloodberg article, you wouldnt really let Minecraft go to a third party (or another first party) if you're Phil Spencer and could avoid it with a few calls to Satya. It might not necessarily be a wholly Microsoft Studios/Xbox related transactions but he seems to have been key to the deal happening and will be in-charge of the most important part of the business.
Perhaps they can halt the closing/sale of Xbox Entertainment Studios and get them on Minecraft pronto
Phil Spencer did say he had a blank cheque for acquiring studios last year on the IGN podcast... I guess this shows that if one of their partners is open to it and offers it they will take them up on it if they think its worth it.
Because they can, will and are doing that anyway.
Perhaps they can halt the closing/sale of Xbox Entertainment Studios and get them on Minecraft pronto
Phil Spencer did say he had a blank cheque for acquiring studios last year on the IGN podcast... I guess this shows that if one of their partners is open to it and offers it they will take them up on it if they think its worth it.
Because they can, will and are doing that anyway.
Minecraft 2?
CosmicGroinPull
Member
T-t-t-two b-b-b-billion? O_O Fuck my life
I dunno how many people would be willing to fork out $400 to play Minecraft 2.
shadowsdarknes
Member
Majong can pump their own money into expanding Minecraft.
Steverulez
Member
Realistically, Xbox One won't be $400 by then unless its already heavily in development and they're going to surprise us it'll like be a way off I would expect it'll be at a much lower price by then
If Notch feels he accomplished all he could/wanted with "Minecraft" and wants to pursue other things, I would totally sell while the brand is still hot. He could make another studio/game and MS can try to franchise and expand the Minecraft license and make use of the studios talents.
No one currently at Mojang, unless contracted, is obligated to stay anyway right?
No one currently at Mojang, unless contracted, is obligated to stay anyway right?
It will be on PC.
You don't spent 2 billion to release a game only on a console that is not living a great moment.
Rare built up and earned their reputation with title after title of incredibly high quality well done games. Mojang has one great game and their others look terrible. Mojang isn't even a fraction of what Rare was.
Go ask Nintendo what happens when you try to catch lightning in a bottle for the second time.
If I was Notch I would sell. He's already gotten most of the sales he's going to get with Minecraft and that is really the only game Mojang has that has sold in any volume. It's a waste of two billions dollars by Microsoft. I find it comical that Mojang is going to sell for more than Twitch did.
They're not buying Mojang for the development team, they're buying them for the rights to the Minecraft IP.
Minecraft is already big. Minecraft 2 and Mincraft: The Movie will be big no matter who works on them. They don't need to capture lighting twice, it's already been done and Mojang isn't doing much to capitalize on it.
funkystudent
Member
Because everyone remembers Tetris 2.
Teletraan1
Banned
It is one of the greatest selling most popular games of all time because it is available on every device under the sun. Not limited to an also ran console, an about to be put out to pasture console and one of the least popular phones.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
I doubt this alleged acquisition is about their next game. Its about controlling and extracting dollars from Minecraft.
I'd be surprised if we saw anything outside a sequel come our of this.
Excluding DLC, tie ins and spin offs of course. This is about Minecraft, not Mojang.
Prototype Viktor
Member
Just to get the early access out there. The remaining billion is to hire a gang of female bodyguards/mocap actors to lend to Ubisoft
BronsonLee
Member
Minecraft was well on its' way to becoming a hit, but the 360 version hit and spread like absolute wildfire. That comboed with the mobile versions lit that platform on fire
Hydrogen Bluebird
Member
Don't really care about Minecraft but it's pretty insane that Microsoft is possibly buying Mojang for 2 billion. MS just buying out everyone
Muskieratboi
Member
I wonder if this means they'll be able to shift Mincefraft to C, and still have mod supp-
Oh. Wait. Microsoft.
Goodbye, modding!
Oh. Wait. Microsoft.
Goodbye, modding!
shadowsdarknes
Member
Seems like Mojang would get the better deal here. There's no guarantee that the studio will continue to see future successes. Microsoft is in desperate need to put themselves in a more attractive position so it seems like a natural fit.
Microsoft can milk the IP for all its worth.
Microsoft can milk the IP for all its worth.
WooHooAlex
Member
Minecraft 2 is definitely possible, but it would be a mistake in my opinion. Imagine if Blizzard had released World of Warcraft 2 at the height of WoWs popularity. All it would have done is split the userbase, piss off fans and ultimately hurt the brand.
There are ways for Microsoft to recoup the 2 billion dollars without making an unnecessary sequel. I think exclusive DLC and expansions on Microsoft's platforms are a sure thing. I just hope they stay away from micro-transactions. That would really be a buzz kill.
Steverulez
Member
Yeh, but the Bloomberg article says that Notch was the one that approached MS, so I was looking at it from that side, especially as I find it hard to believe that he would sell if it wasn't on his terms
ArkkAngel007
Member
Honestly, Minecraft is a game that can be milked and milked and likely keep kicking, either through new iterations or DLC that probably does really well on 360. Just might be a perfect match for once.
mysteriousmage09
Member
Modding being removed would be a swift death for Minecraft.
twozerotwo
Member
Anyone else think it'd be stupid to buy Mojang at this point? Especially at that price point.
I really cannot see any way that Minecraft can keep these profits up for long enough to Microsoft to really benefit.
But, then again, I didn't enjoy the game for very long and I didn't think the Minecraft craze would last this long.
I really cannot see any way that Minecraft can keep these profits up for long enough to Microsoft to really benefit.
But, then again, I didn't enjoy the game for very long and I didn't think the Minecraft craze would last this long.
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