Mojang reassures Minecraft fans about Microsoft deal
The boss of Minecraft-maker Mojang has reassured those who are worried about what will occur when Microsoft übernimms the company.
In the middle of September, Microsoft announced a $2.5bn (PS1.5bn), deal to purchase Mojang.
However, Vu Bui Chief Operating Officer of Mojang said that there was no plan in the offing to change the game or how people could do with it.
Feedback from players would still be crucial in helping to grow the game, he added.
"Nothing's really going to change," stated Mr Bui. We don't plan on anything changing and, of course I'm not able discuss the situation and I don't have all the information, but we're here, the game's still there and it's business as usual."
Open view
Mojang said that he's always attempted to keep the excitement that made the game so well-known.
He said, "Maintaining the original culture is really hard." It's a way of life that values the community and lets them play however they want to with the game.
"It is our absolute intention and always has been, to keep doing that," he told the BBC in an interview at London's Olympia exhibition center, where he was delivering a keynote address at the Brand Licensing Europe trade show.
Although Mr. Bui acknowledged that the deal was not yet being worked out however, he stated that Mojang was planning to work closely with its huge community of players.
Many fans of the block-building game have expressed concerns about what will happen when Microsoft is in ultimate control.
Minecraft creator Markus Persson, aka Notch has written about his reasons for approaching Microsoft and said He was handing it over as it had become a burden for him to run.
He wrote, "I can't take responsibility for something like this," shortly after details of the deal were disclosed.
"It's not about money," he added. "It's all about my sanity."
Bui said that there will be some changes in the near future. However, they will still be made with the input, comments and feedback from fans.
The current system, where Minecraft developers communicate what they are working on long before they add it to the game, is expected to continue.
"We don't keep our features secret," he said.
Mojang began to display the new titles they were creating even though he didn't know the specifics.
When they were ready, said Mr Bui, Mojang would let players test early versions of the game and help creators improve it and make it an actual commercial property.
MINECRAFT GAMING
A similar method was employed with Minecraft and Mojang wanted to repeat the process because it was proved to be beneficial for developers while working on a project.
It wasn't about trying to duplicate the success of Minecraft to create a new game that was equally popular. It was more about trust in the overall approach Mr Bui.
"We believe in that model," he said. "Regardless of the art form you choose, people should definitely put their energy into what they believe in, regardless of whether it will be successful.
He said, "That's a noble endeavor."
Similar to that, he said, Mojang believed that it was a mistake for anyone trying to manage or manipulate the Minecraft community and dictate what can and cannot be done with the game.
He said that it was better to move out of the way.
Mr. Bui said that people are the most creative when they are given the freedom to do whatever they want. While you need to provide them with some guidelines but they'll be able to come with more innovative ideas than we can.
Microsoft beats Sony to China launch
29 September 2014
No comments yet