Microshaft Buys "Minecraft" For $2.5 BILLION -- Founders Quit!

how long before this goes down the toilet...

http://online.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-agrees-to-acquire-creator-of-minecraft-1410786190

Microsoft Corp. MSFT +1.19% is hoping a cult videogame built around virtual blocks will help fix the company's real-world problems, even if the brains behind the brand aren't sticking around.

The software giant's $2.5-billion deal to buy Mojang AB, maker of the "Minecraft" videogame, gives Microsoft an entertainment property whose devoted fans dress up like game characters, pack YouTube with how-to guides and rush to sign up for "Minecraft"-themed summer camps.

Microsoft, which had tried before to buy Mojang, moved quickly to secure a deal as other potential suitors expressed interest, said a person familiar the matter. The two companies signed an exclusivity agreement in July, this person said, when it became clear that Mojang's founders were open to selling.

Microsoft is betting the popularity of "Minecraft," which lets people use Lego-like blocks to create lush digital worlds, can lure more people to the company's struggling Windows smartphone system, and draw into its orbit a younger crop of users and software developers.

"Great content will drive the ability for Microsoft to expand the sales of its platforms, and bring it to new devices," said Kent Wakeford, chief operating officer of Kabam Inc., which makes videogames such as "Kingdoms of Camelot."

The acquisition isn't a big financial bet for a company as flush with cash as Microsoft, but Chief Executive Satya Nadella is taking a risk that "Minecraft" can have staying power and will prove bigger than a single brand.

Minecraft my little troll heart entertained for about 3 minutes and then I went back to Warcraft.

never played it. don't plan to...

MineCraft can be more than it looks - if they design like Apple and innovate the content

My son plays it. I told him once they take over he probably won't play it much longer.

They will either screw the game up or charge for everything!

The founders quitting weren't too big of a surprise for me, they had refused outside investments many times in the years before the sale to Microsoft. Sold it probably to get into a new venture of their own.

Never enjoyed the game that much though, tried it once and was done with it in 15 minutes

It only entertains 10 year olds and fat kids with no social skills.

That's a lot of people.

how long before in game purchases pop up in Minecraft???

How to say, not a bad game but with less elements you will be bored when u playing it some times.

Waiting for microsoft to announce next minecraft game it is mandatory you buy a kinect.

I think Minecraft could be even better with Microsoft taking the lead. If they ported it to C# the performance improvements alone would make it worthwhile for gamers, not to mention Microsoft's excellent cloud infrastructure.

They bought it because they think the phone app will drive sales of Windows phones - they want the kids to think they are cool.

That's like putting copies of the bible in a brothel because you think it will attract vicars and priests as new customers.

Trepanated said:

That's like putting copies of the bible in a brothel because you think it will attract vicars and priests as new customers.

Click to expand...

You don't need to put a bible in a brothel to attract vicars and priests though. They will go of their own accord.

"At a $2 billion purchase price, Persson would receive more than $1.4 billion before taxes if the deal was paid in all cash."

I don't see the appeal in the game, you build really nice structures, and then protect yourself from zombies at night. I notice the game is plastered all over my ps4 store now also. Could work nicely for them depending on what they do with it.

Lol, I bought it for $5

I have seen a bunch of 12-14 year olds playing it, and none of em are the cool kids.

Microsoft has no f'in clue.

MS will content lock this game lol

I think I'd quit too tho, lol