Microsoft has purchased Minecraft creator Mojang for $2.5 billion. Logo/Mojang
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]inecraft, the virtual world construction game with retro graphics, has a new home in Redmond, Washington.
In the confirmation of last week’s rumored acquisition talks, Microsoft has confirmed its purchase of Mojang, Minecraft’s Sweden-based developer. The $2.5 billion transaction will close by the end of this year.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Minecraft is an important addition to the company’s gaming portfolio.
“Gaming is a top activity spanning devices, from PCs and consoles to tablets and mobile, with billions of hours spent each year,” said Nadella. “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.”
Minecraft currently boasts 100 million downloads on PC since it launched in 2009. It’s also the top paid app for the U. S. on iOS and Android.
Microsoft said it plans continued support for all platforms currently supported by Mojang including Xbox, PC, PlayStation, iOS and Android.
Mojang’s founders plan to move on to other projects, something that’s not terribly surprising given past public statements.
“The ‘Minecraft’ players have taken the game and turned it into something that surpassed all of our expectations,” said Carl Manneh, CEO of Mojang. “The acquisition by Microsoft brings a new chapter to the incredible story of ‘Minecraft.’ As the founders move on to start new projects, we believe the high level of creativity from the community will continue the game’s success far into the future.”
