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[JackAubrey]

Folks still making Rare comparisons and wondering about Mojangs future under MS or another buyer.

Forget that, Minecraft IP ownership is the goal. You can then have any of your studios work on it.

And as others have said viewing this through silly Xbox vs PlayStation rivalry is missing the big picture and how much bigger Minecraft is and could be.

 

[rothbart]

These rumors get misinterpreted all the time: Mojang might be selling but it might not be MSFT buying

Remember Twitch.

Google to buy Amazon for one MEELION dollars! Who's laughing now?

 

[WhiskerFrisker]

You need to let GAF mods know when you're joking and referencing a post if it's not a well known one: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115797713&postcount=1267

You let them know by pm?

On topic: This is an insane amount of money to spend. If this is true, Microsoft better hope the series does not start to decline. By that time, Notch would make it out like a prince and be long gone.

 

[DrKelpo]

I just don't think notch is the person who would sell what he built from scratch to be tied to a larger company afterwards.

When you watch the minecraft documentary and see what kind of person he is, it just doesn't fit.

That said, it's absolutely possible to happen.
Money can change people.

I would be a little disappointed though..

 

[funkystudent]

So is 2 Billion really worth

• Minecraft updates eventually cut off on PlayStation.
• Minecraft on Windows Phone.

Because thats all I see changing from today.

 

[Vilam]

Ridiculous valuation for a one hit wonder.

I'll enjoy watching him weasel around the decision to sell after all his high brow bullshit twitter comments over the years about the game industry.

 

[Broank]

They would pretty much be buying it just for the IP/merchandising. I mean the game is already on everything and Notch isn't going to make any games that take more than a week to put together, even more so if he sells the company.

Is having Creeper and Steve as mascots worth 2 billion? Maybe.

 

[Cipherr]

Welp this could be huge. They are clearly talented. And I would have to say in terms of possible potential, one of MS's best pickups thats for sure. MS's first party is in DIRE fucking need of the kind of games I think Mojang will make. No more gritty fucking nonsense, they have enough of that already.

Here's what i think:
1. It should be worth more than $2bil
2. Microsoft trying to screw everyone because they know they're losing the console war. Minecraft will now only be exclusive to Xbox One...that sucks.
3. If i am Sony, I will buy it for more than $2bil just to screw Microsoft.

Lord have mercy, you are very rapidly becoming my absolute favorite poster. I am dying laughing over here.

 

[Metallix87]

And as others have said viewing this through silly Xbox vs PlayStation rivalry is missing the big picture and how much bigger Minecraft is and could be.

Exactly. Microsoft cares very little about the current generation war in this case. Acquiring Mojang and, more importantly, the Minecraft IP is a HUGE gain that will be beneficial for years to come, and could potentially tilt the next war in their favor.

 

[Skilotonn]

It's kinda late if true.

Wall Street Journal wouldn't put this up for nothing though.

 

[7DollarHagane]

seems like an odd move.

Why would notch sell the company

and why would microsoft buy it?

The game already sells a ton on xbox, it's not like they're gaining much.

 

[Wickerbasket]

So you would rather have the C# form?

That's pretty much the same thing, but if it ran better I wouldn't complain.

 

[chubigans]

Folks still making Rare comparisons and wondering about Mojangs future under MS or another buyer.

Forget that, Minecraft IP ownership is the goal. You can then have any of your studios work on it.

"MS announces Minecraft 2 by Black Tusk Studios, previous game on hiatus."

 

[Amir0x]

If I were Notch I'd sell. Minecraft is a tough act to follow and developing Minecraft 2 would be a PITA, it would never match expectations.

I'd use that money and invest into hundreds of smaller indie devs, giving them the chance people gave him with Minecraft. Basically a VG angel investor.

Me too.

My thought would be

"Hey, I love making unique games!"
"Here's 2 billion dollars for your company and your last unique game franchise!"
"Wow, amazing! I will now open a new game studio and start developing a new unique game series! I will offer positions to some of my old pals at Mojang if they like!"
"Ok..."
"Now I am two billion dollars richer AND I am still making unique games! Hurray!"

 

[immortal-joe]

After the Minecratf moneyhat paid off BIG TIME, MS would have done the same for every future Mojang release.

This skips all of that while also making them own the Minecratf name for branding purposes (think about the children). Buy what's established, don't build. Fits their MO.

 

[timetokill]

Me too.

My thought would be

"Hey, I love making unique games!"
"Here's 2 billion dollars for your company and your last unique game franchise!"
"Wow, amazing! I will now open a new game studio and start developing a new unique game series! I will offer positions to some of my old pals at Mojang if they like!"
"Ok..."
"Now I am two billion dollars richer AND I am still making unique games! Hurray!"

Typically such purchases specifically forbid this kind of behavior, just so you know.

 

[Ambition]

Oh.. so now MS will spend that money on 14 different games of GTA V's price and all 14 games would sell and be as good as GTA.

I'd rather they invest in 14 games then buy a 1 hit game studio for 2 Billion fucking Dollars.

 

[QaaQer]

Oh, I am. My questioning is coming from our gamer perspective though.

I understand the logic and where the $2 billion investment makes sense business wise across their platforms and ability to license a popular IP. The agreement to fund the studio is probably just icing on the cake to sell (who wouldn't want an agreed upon deep pocket to do whatever you want, if that's the case).

But, I still just don't like this regressive way of narrowing the field of play both in terms of competition or creative works. Personally I'd much rather companies throw everything they have at us consumers to tickle our fancy and buy their stuff, rather than buying out or blocking competition and choice.

One way we win, the other way we really don't, unless were rooting for corporations and not good, fun games and solid systems that offer us value.

The problem with giant market dominating companies is they try to destroy competition because it hurts profits, and they are powerful enough to actually do it.

I wonder how things would have evolved if George Bush II hadn't nixed the breakup of MS in 2000/2001. A company whose only goal would have been making a kick-ass OS vs what we have now.

 

[Duxxy3]

But the IPs have so much potential as money makers (exclusive games and merchandising/media).

Yes, but the game publisher's that people are mentioning likely have operating costs that equal all of microsoft gane studios (well take 2 anyhow). Microsoft's investment in xbox game studios would double overnight.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Not the wierdest, most flagrant purchase I've heard of, but close.

 

[Guevara]

Me too.

My thought would be

"Hey, I love making unique games!"
"Here's 2 billion dollars for your company and your last unique game franchise!"
"Wow, amazing! I will now open a new game studio and start developing a new unique game series! I will offer positions to some of my old pals at Mojang if they like!"
"Ok..."
"Now I am two billion dollars richer AND I am still making unique games! Hurray!"

The only downside is he'd be forced to stick around at Mojang-Microsoft for 12-24 months.

(and possibly his future games couldn't compete directly with Minecraft for a number of years)

 

[civilstrife]

Minecraft Kart
Minecraft Sports
World of Minecraft

 

[2San]

For now. But I have questions as to how MS could possibly recoup 2 billion dollars in a company that made one game.

What will drive people to buy a new version?
Has the current version already generated the bulk of the revenue that it can?
Will kids still care about Minecraft in five years? ten years?
What is to stop it from being a fad, like Neopets, pogs, and wheelies?
Will kids still think it is cool when it is a Microsoft product?

How do you recover 2 billion dollars from a game that generated almost half of its sales for $7 or less per copy?

And that's to just to break even. MS and their investors also expects an annual rate of return on investments like, for example, 6%.

 

[acksman]

Nope not really, but Microsoft may be looking at all that nice licensing money from Lego and the like and if they let Mojang be Mojang that Licensing money will still roll in.

Surprised more people are not seeing this angle.

Look at Lego and how they have marketed themselves.

Now MS can license Star Wars, Batman, etc into Minecraft and capitalize on it.

You can have a Kids friendly Windows Minecraft tablet, OS, etc.

It's a golden brand that right now has no limit.

 

[cakely]

Hopefully, not true, but if so, congratulations Mojang, you can now buy your own island and play Minecraft in RL.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Minecraft Kart
Minecraft Sports
World of Minecraft

You forgot LEGO Minecraft

 

[ZeroGravity]

Ridiculous valuation for a one hit wonder.

It's a one-hit wonder that's never stopped being a hit, and is more popular than ever.

 

[Goodacre0081]

Err... What would be the point? Minecraft has already been released on PS4.

I would guess all support for non-MS platforms would be dropped.

 

[Ambition]

Hopefully, not true, but if so, congratulations Mojang, you can now buy your own island and play Minecraft in RL.

I'd like to go to that island

 

[TomShoe]

Exactly. Microsoft cares very little about the current generation war in this case. Acquiring Mojang and, more importantly, the Minecraft IP is a HUGE gain that will be beneficial for years to come, and could potentially tilt the next war in their favor.

Depends on if you think Minecraft will be relevant 5-7 years from now.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Big get for MS if true

 

[Mengy]

Oh my god, I realized that a Minecraft 2 might mean that we'd get a PC version that isn't running on shitty java.

No, it would mean:

- the end to all updates for Minecraft
- Minecraft 2 announced as an Xbox exclusive with tons of DLC and pay for skins, no more free updates ever. And no modding allowed.

Remember, this is a company that was willing to end the trading of used games and force always online for everyone just to push their market place. They will monetize and control the shit out of MInecraft if they get their greedy little hands on it. This will not be any good for consumers at all because MS is not a consumer friendly company.

 

[Metallix87]

Surprised more people are not seeing this angle.

Look at Lego and how they have marketed themselves.

Now MS can license Star Wars, Batman, etc into Minecraft and capitalize on it.

You can have a Kids friendly Windows Minecraft tablet, OS, etc.

It's a golden brand that right now has no limit.

Agreed. Just picture the spin-off games: Star Wars Minecraft, The Hobbit Minecraft, Pirates of the Caribbean Minecraft, Avengers Minecraft... the possibilities are endless.

Depends on if you think Minecraft will be relevant 5-7 years from now.

Are you suggesting you believe it won't be?

 

[JP]

Genuinely don't see the benefit of this to Microsoft if this happened, it's not as if Minecraft was even made by Mojang as a company, it;s very much a game that was made by individuals and I can't imagine the individuals really having anything to do with something like this. Also, Microsoft has a pretty terrible record with buying games companies either, maybe they'll just force them to make clothes for Xbox avatars until the kill the company the same as they did with Rare.

 

[JackAubrey]

It's a one-hit wonder that's never stopped being a hit, and is more popular than ever.

Yup just like Lego. One hit that keeps on giving.

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

This would be the new King. Bad idea, MS. Short term thinking.

 

[Ferrio]

It's a one-hit wonder that's never stopped being a hit, and is more popular than ever.

Microsoft will put an end to that!

 

[Sponge]

It's Rare all over again.

 

[Phediuk]

Major coup for MS.

 

[catmario]

Nintendo gonna be sad. ;(

If this is true, MC has no chance for release at Nintendo console.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

No brainer.

Microsoft could leverage this ip in ways Notch and co. can't.

A movie. A kids cartoon. Books, clothing, toys, etc. that's one aspect. A minecraft section in universal studios.

Then a minecraft upgrade (not 2.0 yet) exclusive to pc, Xbox, windows phone. Pretty big get. Still available to a wide audience but it helps Microsoft platforms the most. Current minecraft will continue to sell of course.

Then you drop the bomb with minecraft 2.0 available for those three platforms as well. Minecraft becomes synonymous with Microsoft like Mario is with Nintendo. Just treat the ip right and you got a gold mine. Microsoft's new CEO is no fool. Chances are they will do this right.

The way you worded this makes me a believer, but perhaps I'm too easily swayed.

 

[Fox_Mulder]

$2 billion? lol

 

[Amir0x]

Typically such purchases specifically forbid this kind of behavior, just so you know.

He'll just be told he can't go anywhere else for a short amount of time. I'm sure he can bide his time for 2 billion dollars.

 

[brett2]

Could you please explain why Microsoft is a "net negative" to the gaming industry?

They use their money to buy developers and exclusives rather than create their own exclusives. This results in less games being available to gamers than otherwise. That's a net negative. During the original XBOX era these kind of tactics were understandable but still doing it over 10 years later is terrible for the industry. Sony did these same things when they launched the PS1 but they actually evolved after that.

 

[blurrygil]

Genuine question to detractors of this deal happening:

What makes you consider that Minecraft has reached its "end" or that MS is LTTP on acquiring it? Also, why do you feel (if this is applicable) that it's no longer a valuable IP?

 

[DrkSage]

Maybe Microsoft wants to mojang to make Halocraft or gears of craft or maybe just maybe Minecraft horizon.

 

[Warm Machine]

seems like an odd move.

Why would notch sell the company

and why would microsoft buy it?

The game already sells a ton on xbox, it's not like they're gaining much.

They are gaining something like an extra 70% per copy sold on their own platforms. All the while gaining 70% on all the other platforms.

MS could then jam it on Windows 8/9 and if they are feeling cheeky, Steam and leverage a nice rate.

I wouldn't worry about the staff of Mojang leaving. There is what, 9 people there? A load of the port stuff is other teams independent of Mojang.

Also let's not forget about the massive merchandising.

The game is barely leveraging its skinning possibilities.

 

[entremet]

It's Rare all over again.

Nope. Rare was mediocre during the end of the N64. Minecraft is a phenomenum.

 

[Nemecyst]

I thought the Minecraft fad would eventually die down, but Microsoft gonna mine that node till it's dry. Notch to buy a professional sports team next.....

 

[TheUnknownForce]

Nintendo gonna be sad. ;(

If Nintendo was doing anything with them, yeah. Either that or they can now go forward with trying to make a Minecraft clone themselves without angering them.