Microsoft pays $2.5bn for Minecraft maker Mojang By Joe Miller Technology reporter, BBC News
Microsoft has acquired Mojang, the Swedish firm behind the popular video game Minecraft, for $2.5bn (PS1.5bn).
The game that has sold more than 54 million copies, lets players to build structures with Lego-like blocks, as well as explore the vast map and fight other players.
The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.
Mojang the company, whose three founders will leave the company, assured the public that "everything is going to be OK".
Analysts believe that the deal meant to increase Microsoft's Windows Phone users.
This acquisition comes one year after Microsoft purchased the Finnish mobile phone company Nokia's handset and devices division.
Minecraft is one of the most popular apps on both the Apple iOS store and and Android's Google Play, and has recently been released for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, further boosting sales.
Last month, it was the third most-loved console game, according to market research firm NPD Group, despite being on sale for a while.
The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, has made over $100m in profit in the last fiscal year, and employs about 40 people.
Microsoft announced that the Mojang team would join its game studio, which is responsible for titles like Halo, Forza, and Fable.
The chief executive of the tech giant, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than an amazing game franchise. It's an open-world platform powered by a vibrant community that we cherish and brimming with exciting opportunities for that community and for Microsoft."
Opposition to sale
Markus "Notch", Mojang's founder has previously criticized Microsoft and told Reuters that there was a niche market for Windows phones and it was not worthwhile to develop applications for.
Minecraft has a large and enthusiastic cult following Many of them have expressed their anger at what they perceive as the corporate takeover of a communally-spirited independent company.
"Makes me sick, and sad," wrote one user on a renowned Minecraft forum. EvilBatsu wrote, "It would kill off the gaming community."
Others expressed concern about the possibility of their talents being shown by their fans.
"It will not just cost more to play the game, but it will also cost people their jobs." Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as a way to earn money however, if Microsoft takes over there will be copyright issues."
Some gamers suggested that Microsoft could invest more money on expansions to the game and improvements.
In a statement, Microsoft said it would continue to maintain Minecraft across all its existing platforms, with a "commitment to nurture and grow it into the future".
It stated that the acquisition was anticipated by the end 2014
In an announcement confirming the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, declaring: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and you - the community - are crucial to everyone involved. Let this be the main thing you take away from this article.
With regard to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only few potential buyers who have the capacity to expand Minecraft on the scale it is deserved."
The firm also stated that "Notch" had made the decision that he "doesn't want the responsibility of owning an organization of such global significance".
Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:
"I've become an icon. I do not want to be a significator, responsible for something huge that I am unable to comprehend, that I don't want to work on, that is always coming back to me. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive."
You can read his complete statement here
Why Minecraft?
James McQuivey of analytics firm Forrester has stated that "Minecraft is among the most significant gaming properties around the globe".
"Not only is it profitable but it continues to increase in terms of profits even after its launch, largely because of the ardent community of fans who invest in building out their own Minecraft worlds.
"That helps explain the reasons Microsoft would like Minecraft and would want to ensure it is always available on Microsoft's gaming platforms.
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Professor Mark Skilton from Warwick Business School said that the acquisition was about building a strong customer base for Microsoft.
"The online gaming industry is rapidly moving from niche collective enthusiast to mass market , and Minecraft is a natural progression as big business follows the traffic numbers in the digital world."
In November, Amazon bought Twitch, an online platform that allows users to watch other people play video games, for $970 million (PS597m).
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