Microsoft to Purchase Minecraft Maker Mojang in $2.5 Billion

Microsoft Corp agreed to purchase Mojang AB, software company, maker of Minecraft, a popular game, for $2.5 billion in a move to boost its mobile and Xbox businesses.

The largest software maker, Microsoft, said that Mojang would join the game studio division as founders proceed to handle other projects. The purchase is expected to be finalized later this year.

According to Bloomberg, buying Mojang will be the biggest deal since Satya Nadella stepped in as Chief Executive of Microsoft in February. This purchase gives Nadella a popular game across mobile devices, computers and consoles manufactures by Microsoft and other companies such as Apple Inc.

Nadella said, “Minecraft is more than a great game franchise, it is an open world platform, driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about, and rich with new opportunities for that community and for Microsoft.”

Microsoft will keep making Minecraft available in different software platforms, including Apple’s IOS, PCs, Android of Google Inc and Playstation of Sony Corp.

BBC reports that Mojang was founded in 2009 and earned profit of more than $100 million last year with 40 employees.

Previously, Markus “Notch” Persson, Mojang’s founder, had criticized Microsoft and commented that the Windows phones market was “tiny” and did not require the development of apps.

Minecraft has a large following, and many have reacted angrily after what they deem to be a corporate takeover of an independent company.

There are people who expressed concerns about fans having the chance of exhibiting their skills.

“Not only will it cost more money to play the game it will cost people their jobs too. Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as their career, but if Microsoft takes over there will for sure be copyright issues.”

There enthusiasts that think Microsoft will devote more resources to expand and upgrade the game.

Mojang said in regards to Microsoft, “There are only a handful of potential buyers with the resources to grow Minecraft on a scale that it deserves.”

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To contact the reporter of this story; Yashu Gola at yashu@forexminute.com