Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
After rumors floating around about a potential buyout for the last week, confirmation has finally arrived. Microsoft’s head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, announced in the early hours of Sept 15 that Mojang was officially joining the list of Microsoft-owned studios. This group already included 343 Industries, Turn 10 Studios, and Lionhead Studios who have developed the blockbuster franchises of Halo, Forza, and Fable respectively. With that in mind, adding Mojang to the collection seems like a no-brainer in retrospect. However this big purchase – an astounding $2.5 billion, to be exact – doesn’t come without some big changes.
About seven months ago, the creator of “Flappy Bird” decided he couldn’t handle the fame or publicity brought on by his immensely successful game and subsequently pulled it from the market in an attempt to drop from the limelight. Now, with the acquisition by Microsoft, founder and creator, Markus “Notch” Persson, says his project has grown beyond his comfort level. In an intimate letter to fans, Notch says he doesn’t believe himself to be a “real game developer” and “never meant for it” to change games. He also says that he makes games “because it’s fun”, but doesn’t do so “with the intention of them becoming big hits.” The letter ends with “It’s not about the money. It’s about my sanity.”
“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.”
This really isn’t a huge shock, as Notch actually stepped down from head developer back in December 2011. He turned the reigns over to another Swedish developer, Jens “Jeb_” Bergensten, who has lead the charge ever since. Jeb_ has also confirmed via Twitter that he will remain at the helm through this deal with Microsoft. In his departure, Notch wished the best for Minecraft and the community.
“I love you. All of you. Thank you for turning Minecraft into what it has become, but there are too many of you, and I can’t be responsible for something this big. In one sense, it belongs to Microsoft now. In a much bigger sense, it’s belonged to all of you for a long time, and that will never change.”
Mojang has confirmed that Microsoft has no ill-intent with this purchase and that development will continue on largely unaffected. The development across all platforms will continue, assuming those companies reciprocate the support. They cited their working relationship – since the launch on Xbox 360 in 2012 – as the basis for going with Microsoft over other potential buyers.
“There are only a handful of potential buyers with the resources to grow Minecraft on a scale that it deserves. We’ve worked closely with Microsoft since 2012, and have been impressed by their continued dedication to our game and its development. We’re confident that Minecraft will continue to grow in an awesome way.”
Much like Amazon’s acquisition of Twitch last month, this really only looks to benefit the studio by placing more power behind the already successful product. Although there are uncertainties about who may be developing what and where projects in limbo may end up, Mojang has no worries about a hostile takeover by Microsoft.
“Change is scary, and this is a big change for all of us. It’s going to be good though. Everything is going to be OK. <3. Please remember that the future of Minecraft and you – the community – are extremely important to everyone involved. If you take one thing away from this post, let it be that.