WSJ: ''Mojang to be bought by Microsoft'

I doubt even Sony has put over 1 billion USD into the Vita, so to think that MS is parting with 2 billion USD because of something related with the Vita is just putting to much value into what already is a dying product

Nah. This isn't very likely. Vita doesn't mean squat to Microsoft, it's not a market they want into.

It was a joke, obviously :).

More than likely MS will loose significant money from this deal unless they go crazy with microtransactions and things like that. Wouldn't be the first time for Microsoft to make a stupid decision.
 
I actually see them making a Minecraft 2 that is the same across all platforms (PC, Xbox, Mobile). It matches the vision they have right now.

I mean paired down as in smaller worlds and such much like the current versions of Minecraft across all platforms. Course Minecraft 2 would not be running on Java so it might not be an issue with the sequel.
 
It was a joke, obviously :).

How was that a joke?

I mean paired down as in smaller worlds and such much like the current versions of Minecraft across all platforms. Course Minecraft 2 would not be running on Java so it might not be an issue with the sequel.

I'm not sure they'd be down for that, truth be told. Their whole kick right now is for everything to work the same cross-platform, no matter what. So it can't be like how Minecraft is right now; the only thing I could see them limiting would be the world size, but everything else would probably be fair game.
 
Notch and his team might have lost interest in game development. After all the second Mojang game was cancelled after a long time in development doldrum. Why not cash out to the tune of hundreds of millions and use that money for something else? At this point Minecraft isn't game development any more. It's a game as a service. Which isn't all that exciting. And Notch has been milking Minecraft hard himself. Thing is expensive
Actually, it's more like just Notch. Jeb, Dinnerbone and the other developers are supporting the cash cow.

I think Notch is feeling the pressure of producing a follow-up game which is why 0x10c hit a creative block and he hasn't publicly announced anything else since. (Remember, he was the only one working on that)

The rest of Mojang is building out Minecraft Realms and Scrolls. They could easily expand into a bigger studio and pump out other games, but they've always wanted to stay small.
 
You know, I'm wondering... Was this leaked in the hope that the community would spontaneously crowdfund a counteroffer of some sort? There's been at least one report that the rest of Mojang doesn't want to be bought.
 
How do you crowdfund two billions ? It would be completely crazy. If such a thing was possible, I think there would be much more important things to fund than prevent the purchase of a small Swedish company...
 
You know, I'm wondering... Was this leaked in the hope that the community would spontaneously crowdfund a counteroffer of some sort? There's been at least one report that the rest of Mojang doesn't want to be bought.

Crowdfund 2 billion dollars? Every person who bought Minecraft (approx. 54 million) would have to pay up $37 for that to work out.

Edit: Doesn't take into account people who bought more than one copy, but you get my point.
 
I don't see where Java is a negative for it..

For one thing, Java is a huge vector for malware. If you are a Windows user, you are far safer not having Java installed at all. Oracle has to patch that shit constantly, and every time you update it they try to trick you into installing extra bullshit you do not need. I hate when anything requires it.
 
You know, I'm wondering... Was this leaked in the hope that the community would spontaneously crowdfund a counteroffer of some sort? There's been at least one report that the rest of Mojang doesn't want to be bought.

Nah, stuff is usually 'leaked' (reported as not final/possible?) to gauge the reaction or outcry, allow the announcement to have the appropriate tone, and so that when it is announced it isn't shocking.
 
Crowdfund 2 billion dollars? Every person who bought Minecraft (approx. 54 million) would have to pay up $37 for that to work out.

Edit: Doesn't take into account people who bought more than one copy, but you get my point.

I'll pony up for two copies, hell I'll pay $100 each just to keep it out of Microsoft's hands and to stay with Mojang. I just don't foresee good things coming from this deal if it happens. I'm just not a fan of Microsoft's choices when it comes to gaming, but I would love to be proven wrong.
 
I'm not saying I think it could or even should happen, but I keep thinking about the fact that someone wanted us to know about this before it was finalized. Like it's the community's last chance to show Notch the love he's looking for and change his mind or something

(If so, I say screw him. Minecraft wasn't even his idea in the first place, he's always made it very clear that everything he does is for his own amusement alone, and now thanks to his infamous poor impulse control, a truly special thing is going to disappear from the world. Because there's no way that Minecraft as we know it will still exist after this. Microsoft will have to monetize it beyond recognition to make good on their investment.)
 
I'm not saying I think it could or even should happen, but I keep thinking about the fact that someone wanted us to know about this before it was finalized. Like it's the community's last chance to show Notch the love he's looking for and change his mind or something

(If so, I say screw him. Minecraft wasn't even his idea in the first place, he's always made it very clear that everything he does is for his own amusement alone, and now thanks to his infamous poor impulse control, a truly special thing is going to disappear from the world. Because there's no way that Minecraft as we know it will still exist after this. Microsoft will have to monetize it beyond recognition to make good on their investment.)

lol, I read your first part really positive like "lets change Notch's mind with good will", then the second paragraph made me think "actually I get why he want's to get away from this community"

People love the game to much, they take everything to personal and feel like an investor rather than a consumer. We're not owed anything. I'd love a game developer to always put me first but they have their own goals and ambitions. If Microsoft screw up Minecraft something else will pop up and take it's place.
 
lol, I read your first part really positive like "lets change Notch's mind with good will", then the second paragraph made me think "actually I get why he want's to get away from this community"
He IS away from this community though. That's what I don't get. He hasn't been involved with Minecraft in ages. If he wants out, which I totally understand, why can't he just go? He really seems to want it both ways when out comes to whether the game is "his" or not. Right now, at least if the rumors are true of course, he's selling it out from under the people who are actually working on it, just because he can.
 
He IS away from this community though. That's what I don't get. He hasn't been involved with Minecraft in ages. If he wants out, which I totally understand, why can't he just go? He really seems to want it both ways when out comes to whether the game is "his" or not. Right now, at least if the rumors are true of course, he's selling it out from under the people who are actually working on it, just because he can.

Couple things here:

He still owns Minecraft, yes? So he can't just go. Mojang would still need to pay him the hundreds of millions of dollars a year to have it.

They're buying Mojang, not Minecraft. All the employees there will likely get stacks on stacks on stacks, it doesn't all go to him.

And the most important part here: WSJ are rock solid as hell on these things. Deals can fall apart, sure, but they don't report dumb shit, for the most part.
 
He IS away from this community though. That's what I don't get. He hasn't been involved with Minecraft in ages. If he wants out, which I totally understand, why can't he just go? He really seems to want it both ways when out comes to whether the game is "his" or not. Right now, at least if the rumors are true of course, he's selling it out from under the people who are actually working on it, just because he can.

Well there was an article earlier describing how he got into heated discussions via Twitter with people reacting negatively to different positions he had or changes to the Minecraft terms of service. That article assumed that it had an effect on its (supposed) decision to get rid of the company.
 
He IS away from this community though. That's what I don't get. He hasn't been involved with Minecraft in ages. If he wants out, which I totally understand, why can't he just go? He really seems to want it both ways when out comes to whether the game is "his" or not. Right now, at least if the rumors are true of course, he's selling it out from under the people who are actually working on it, just because he can.

He is the sole rights owner of the Minecraft IP, which this is about selling. There's no two ways about it.
 
You know, I'm wondering... Was this leaked in the hope that the community would spontaneously crowdfund a counteroffer of some sort? There's been at least one report that the rest of Mojang doesn't want to be bought.

I'm pretty sure you can't have millions of people mutually own one IP, which would leave the property still possible to buy. Who would be the new owner? What would they have to do to ensure it doesn't reach the hands of another company?
 
More perspective. ...This is more than the entire market cap of Take-Two.

Minecraft > GTA franchise + RDR + civilization + Bioshock + NBA 2Kn + X com + evolve + mafia + all those studios + etc.

Really?

TTWO is stable, but not growing and also not in a growth sector of the market (i.e. AAA console games). Companies like Mojang are less stable, but growing rapidly and in a section of the market which is also growing rapidly and is simultaneously much more profitable.

Take Two's catalog are considered known properties without much room for significant growth or profit. Minecraft is a less known property, which therefore still has the potential to fall on its face but also has the potential to grow and create even greater revenue and streams at significant profit margins.

As an investor, would you rather put your money in Cottonelle or Twitter? Toilet paper isn't going anywhere, but it's also a market that's maximized its audience and which isn't very profitable. Twitter is still growing and has a far greater potential for profit, but is also much more likely to fall on its face and collapse than the toilet paper industry is. Both have their upsides. The same basic logic applies to Take Two and Mojang; in that case, people value the upside and profitability of Mojang more than they value the stability of Take Two.
 
This is what I'm not seeing: how is Microsoft going to expand the number of game users?

They won't and they know that. If Mincraft becomes a cog in MS machine, it will be used to support the machine. It will be restricted to MS devices and used to push MS services.

Windows is the same way. They don't make the best OS they can, they make the OS that will make them the most money; and to do that, Windows has to support the other areas of their business.

That is why giant conglomerates are inefficient and make less competitive products. Product design is usually compromised.
 
Not quite: https://twitter.com/jnkboy/status/509768171281465344

Junkboy said:
I requested a framed photo of David Hasselhoff when I booked my hotel in Shanghai. As a joke. They delivered.

BxMPcs4CcAAJdXo.jpg:large
http://a.pomf.se/vdknph.webm
 
They won't and they know that. If Mincraft becomes a cog in MS machine, it will be used to support the machine. It will be restricted to MS devices and used to push MS services.

Windows is the same way. They don't make the best OS they can, they make the OS that will make them the most money; and to do that, Windows has to support the other areas of their business.

That is why giant conglomerates are inefficient and make less competitive products. Product design is usually compromised.

Except they put Office, Skype, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Bing/MSN Apps, etc. on competing platforms. They've moved or are moving a lot of their software to the cloud. There are more reasons to believe Minecraft would be widely available than reasons to bet on Windows exclusivity. Maybe not Playstation availability though.

That said, there will probably be some bells and whistles for the Windows versions.
 
Except they put Office, Skype, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Bing/MSN Apps, etc. on competing platforms. They've moved or are moving a lot of their software to the cloud. There are more reasons to believe Minecraft would be widely available than reasons to bet on Windows exclusivity. Maybe not Playstation availability though.

That said, there will probably be some bells and whistles for the Windows versions.

As I don't know what their strategy is long term, your comment is fair. It still stands though that maximum number of users and game quality take a backseat to company health and profits.

& yeah, playstation aint getting shit.
 
Why does he need to do anything? This is a business. Minecraft is huge, Mojang made it, they can do whatever they want with it. He owes nobody anything.

you seem to miss the part where I said "in my eyes". This meant the comment was to do with my perception of notch. this has nothing to do with "this is a business" defence crap.
 
you seem to miss the part where I said "in my eyes". This meant the comment was to do with my perception of notch. this has nothing to do with "this is a business" defence crap.

@ The Bolded: It's not crap, or defense. That's reality. I missed nothing.

They tried to make Psychonauts 2 work, and the money was too much for him at the time. Who says they even want to make it now? And don't even get me started on 'incredibly slightly'...
 
For one thing, Java is a huge vector for malware. If you are a Windows user, you are far safer not having Java installed at all. Oracle has to patch that shit constantly, and every time you update it they try to trick you into installing extra bullshit you do not need. I hate when anything requires it.

Yep. A guy I know is the IT guy for a private school that gives all the middle-schoolers and high-schoolers their own Mac laptops. He say his number one headache is Minecraft because the kids install mods that have malware and other crap in them.

Note: This was before the move to resource packs. I don't know how it has been for him since then.
 
@ The Bolded: It's not crap, or defense. That's reality. I missed nothing.

They tried to make Psychonauts 2 work, and the money was too much for him at the time. Who says they even want to make it now? And don't even get me started on 'incredibly slightly'...

you are still completely missing my point.
 
You want him to spend 40-50 million dollars to make you happy.

no. It would go some way to redeem the action, IN MY PERCEPTION, but I dont really care what he does - and it doesnt really alter my happiness. also dont pull numbers from your ass, it was ~$18m.
edit: you edited numbars.
 
no. It would go some way to redeem the action, IN MY PERCEPTION, but I dont really care what he does - and it doesnt really alter my happiness. also dont pull numbers from your ass, it was ~$18m.
edit: you edited numbars.

Yeah, I posted it and remembered how off I was budget wise. I still don't understand why doing this is a terrible act anyway. He owns it part and parcel, he can do what he wants with it. Selling it doesn't mean he should fund a multimillion dollar project to gain public perception back. He's probably pretty close to a billionaire already, and this would probably add another billion to his war chest (he wouldn't get it all, naturally). That's 'fuck you, later' money.

You have to understand, it seems he's probably not too keen on dealing with the extreme outliers in the Minecraft community that keep ragging him about stuff. Couple that with this ridiculous offer/worrying about a potential followup game not cutting the mustard, and he'd be very foolish not to take it, everybody else be damned.

Edit Part Deux: The Editing - Since apparently you're more concerned with YOUR PERCEPTION etc etc etc than discussing the bigger picture, I think we've derailed this topic enough, no? Call it square.
 
Yeah, I posted it and remembered how off I was budget wise. I still don't understand why doing this is a terrible act anyway. He owns it part and parcel, he can do what he wants with it. Selling it doesn't mean he should fund a multimillion dollar project to gain public perception back. He's probably pretty close to a billionaire already, and this would probably add another billion to his war chest (he wouldn't get it all, naturally). That's 'fuck you, later' money.

Public? no, again, IN MY PERCEPTION. mine. also I never said anything about the sale, so for all you know I view him negatively and that would be unchanged by the sale, but the money gained would make funding psychonauts 2 far easier.
edit: yeah square. was originally meant to be an off-comment
 
One of the most toxic communities I've ever seen is finally scared for its life?




PS: No that isn't going to happen. Neither is that. Nope, not that either. Really you can stop panicking now. No, that's fine. And that. I don't even think Microsoft is going to care...? Okay now you're just reaching.
 
TTWO is stable, but not growing and also not in a growth sector of the market (i.e. AAA console games). Companies like Mojang are less stable, but growing rapidly and in a section of the market which is also growing rapidly and is simultaneously much more profitable.

Take Two's catalog are considered known properties without much room for significant growth or profit. Minecraft is a less known property, which therefore still has the potential to fall on its face but also has the potential to grow and create even greater revenue and streams at significant profit margins.

As an investor, would you rather put your money in Cottonelle or Twitter? Toilet paper isn't going anywhere, but it's also a market that's maximized its audience and which isn't very profitable. Twitter is still growing and has a far greater potential for profit, but is also much more likely to fall on its face and collapse than the toilet paper industry is. Both have their upsides. The same basic logic applies to Take Two and Mojang; in that case, people value the upside and profitability of Mojang more than they value the stability of Take Two.

Well when they cost the same, I'd put my money in a company with a solid IP portfolio & many great studios instead of a 1-hit wonder.

TTWO can grow with the rest of the market including the expansion into China which the entire videogame market should enjoy. And they can create new IP.
 
Instead of spending 2 billion dollars on Minecraft, why not give out 5 million Xbones.

They would certainly take the lead in America and tie the PS4 worldwide.

Flawless plan, yes?
 
This might not mean a whole lot but someone posted this on /v/ a couple days before the news broke on WSJ. They posted some irc log with people saying it's a done deal. naturally, everyone piled on calling bullshit and the thread died.
 
I doubt even Sony has put over 1 billion USD into the Vita, so to think that MS is parting with 2 billion USD because of something related with the Vita is just putting to much value into what already is a dying product

I can't believe someone believed Microsoft spent $2 billion to combat the Vita...
 
Well when they cost the same, I'd put my money in a company with a solid IP portfolio & many great studios instead of a 1-hit wonder.

TTWO can grow with the rest of the market including the expansion into China which the entire videogame market should enjoy. And they can create new IP.

That's fine if you feel that way, but the market in general does not agree. Take Two is a stagnant company that isn't making any significant money, and hasn't made significant money for the better part of a decade now. It isn't like they think TTWO is worthless, mind you; just worth less than Mojang, because there is so much more growth potential in for Mojang since their strong IP has traction on mobile. There may be some console growth in China, but I'd be very surprised if it compensates for the contraction in Japan, the US, and the UK, and production costs are still going up.
 
Twist: It's actually Amazon, not Microsoft.

Oh snap. Real twist is EA then buys it from Microsoft.

If it's true it's kind of a strange deal, Minecraft surely must be approaching saturation point. Unless they want them for the talent, though it seems to be hinted that Notch would leave after the deal is done.

Interesting to see how this plays out if it's true. I'd imagine Minecraft 2 being released by Microsoft and without Notch would put off some buyers.
 
Oh snap. Real twist is EA then buys it from Microsoft.

If it's true it's kind of a strange deal, Minecraft surely must be approaching saturation point. Unless they want them for the talent, though it seems to be hinted that Notch would leave after the deal is done.

Interesting to see how this plays out if it's true. I'd imagine Minecraft 2 being released by Microsoft and without Notch would put off some buyers.

I can say with confidence that they're not paying $2 Billion for talent. They're probably going to use the Minecraft IP in anyway possible to make money. Also, Notch doesn't even work on Minecraft anymore. He just collects checks basically.
 
TTWO is stable, but not growing and also not in a growth sector of the market (i.e. AAA console games). Companies like Mojang are less stable, but growing rapidly and in a section of the market which is also growing rapidly and is simultaneously much more profitable.

Take Two's catalog are considered known properties without much room for significant growth or profit. Minecraft is a less known property, which therefore still has the potential to fall on its face but also has the potential to grow and create even greater revenue and streams at significant profit margins.

As an investor, would you rather put your money in Cottonelle or Twitter? Toilet paper isn't going anywhere, but it's also a market that's maximized its audience and which isn't very profitable. Twitter is still growing and has a far greater potential for profit, but is also much more likely to fall on its face and collapse than the toilet paper industry is. Both have their upsides. The same basic logic applies to Take Two and Mojang; in that case, people value the upside and profitability of Mojang more than they value the stability of Take Two.

I would assume they're making the acquisition in order to increase the value of their services and hardware, and from the Xbox perspective I'd say T2 (or Capcom or Ubisoft) would be a much more valuable acquisition, as you're getting a raft of proven franchises which can become fully exclusive in order to win over new customers. On the other hand, looking at it from a Windows Phone or Surface perspective then Minecraft would undoubtedly be more valuable, as I doubt anyone really buys a phone to play XCOM or Assassin's Creed or GTA. Minecraft, on the other hand, has enjoyed massive success on mobile platforms. So I'd say there's a split decision depending on where MS's priorities lie. There's certainly more potential for their phones and tablets to increase market share, but I don't see that really happening in either regard.

Interesting to see how this plays out if it's true. I'd imagine Minecraft 2 being released by Microsoft and without Notch would put off some buyers.

I doubt most people would care. MS published Minecraft on 360 where it sold millions, and Minecraft 2 would probably continue to be published under the Mojang name at least in part from their own website or on the iOS/Windows Phone/Android marketplace.
 
Notch knows that the only way Mojang and Minecraft can go from this point is down. It was a fluke, pure and simple.

It makes sense to sell out to the bigger fool that thinks things will only get better.

Better to exit now when you can command a premium than when the weak sequels begin flopping and the brand is tarnished.
 
Oh snap. Real twist is EA then buys it from Microsoft.

If it's true it's kind of a strange deal, Minecraft surely must be approaching saturation point. Unless they want them for the talent, though it seems to be hinted that Notch would leave after the deal is done.

Interesting to see how this plays out if it's true. I'd imagine Minecraft 2 being released by Microsoft and without Notch would put off some buyers.

Notch walking away from Minecraft after a year of barely two updates was the best thing that ever happened to the game.
 
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