Microsoft’s efforts to acquire Mojang have officially paid off according to Xbox chief Phil Spencer, who announced the news via twitter yesterday. “It’s official, today we welcome Mojang to the Microsoft Studios family,” Spencer wrote. “We’re excited for the possibilities ahead w/ the Minecraft community.”
The $2.5 billion deal was announced back in September, but has only just been closed. At the time of the announcement, Microsoft said that they would manage to break even on the purchase by the end of its fiscal year (around June 30, 2024). Minecraft players who enjoy the blocky sandbox experience on non-Microsoft devices don’t need to worry, Microsoft has no plans to restrict or remove Minecraft on any platforms (hallelujah).
Also dropped in September was the news that the company founders Markus Persson (or Notch), Carl Manneh and Jakob Porsér would be leaving the Mojang studio. Notch hadn’t actually taken the lead with Minecraft‘s ongoing development for some time, but his official departure is still of note.
Notch posted a message in his blog addressing the decision, saying that “I don’t see myself as a real game developer. I make games because it’s fun, and because I love games and I love to program, but I don’t make games with the intention of them becoming huge hits, and I don’t try to change the world. Minecraft certainly became a huge hit, and people are telling me it’s changed games. I never meant for it to do either. It’s certainly flattering, and to gradually get thrust into some kind of public spotlight is interesting.”
Notch finished the blog off by saying: “It’s not about the money. It’s about my sanity.”
Oliver Zimmerman
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