Minecraft: Microsoft buys Mojang for $ 2.5 billion update

Update: Meanwhile, Microsoft has confirmed the acquisition of Minecraft developer Mojang for 2.5 billion US dollars. In the course of the financial year 2017 the investment should have paid off. By the end of the year the deal is to be approved and concluded. There are no plans for Microsoft’s Minecraft for Windows Phone yet.


Sharing Minecraft Windows Phone?


Original message: Microsoft buys the Minecraft developer Mojang for 2.5 billion US dollars. This is reported by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. For the US group, which has cash reserves of $ 68 billion, 2.5 billion US dollars is only small money, but in the games business takeovers of this magnitude are rather unusual

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But what does Microsoft want to start with the small Swedish studio, which is so far only a one-hit wonder. For Mojang could not continue with any second game to the gigantic Minecraft success. Minecraft has so far attracted 100 million players and is one of the top paying apps on both Android and iOS: 54 million copies have been sold since the launch five years ago. Originally the title was launched as a PC game, meanwhile 40 per cent of the sold units are found on tablets and smartphones. The game hit is not available on Windows Phone.


Now is speculated that Microsoft hopes Windows Phone could benefit from the takeover. Microsoft's smartphone platform is behind the competition with a market share of 2.5 percent. Minecraft is supposed to improve its position of Windows Phone on the market as a driving horse. So far Mojang founder Markus Persson always waved off when asked about a Windows Phone version of Minecraft. The distribution of the devices is far too low for the necessary effort.


The players do not seem to worry about the availability of Minecraft. According to Bloomberg information, Microsoft does not plan a Microsoft exclusivity for Minecraft's Xbox and Windows Phone. The released iOS and Android versions are not to be taken offline. The company believes that Minecraft - similar to its in-house office products - needs to be offered across platforms in order to exploit its potential.