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Microsoft announces purchase of Minecraft creator Mojang

TTUVAPOR

Banned
SEtCleT.png


Amazing

When big publishers take over studios, the creative talent leaves....every time, and the future games suffer as a result.
 
Comparatively speaking when compared with Xbox, PC, and mobile it doesn't. They'll forego that relatively small market in order to push Minecraft as Xbone console exclusive.
No, they won't. Phil Spencer out right said they won't. Also the PS userbase is growing and it's only smaller because it hasn't been around as long and with the PS4 version it will continue to grow a lot.
 

Busty

Banned
The only way a move like this makes sense to me is if MS intend to 'extend' the Minecraft brand and game into more of a pseudo Facebook style platform.

If not..., ? I really have no idea.
 
I don't blame him for doing this, I'd do the same, but it sure does come across as lame and hypocritical after how he reacted to the Oculus sale
 

Ogimachi

Member
I hate the game, but the man's a genius. Microsoft will drive the studio to the ground and never replicate the success of Minecraft, while he becomes insanely rich and gets enough money to create multiple studios and fund games like AoW III.
 

Tigress

Member
Microsoft becomes third party and publish titles on Playstation.

They are ultimately a software company. This isn't the first time. Long time ago they used to make Flight Simulator for Mac. In fact it was one of the few companies making any games for Mac. One of the very very few who made a game that could be played on the first Mac, the 128k. I know, that was my first computer as a kid (that's what I originally associated MS with, and I loved that game).

They still make office for Mac (though never as updated as the PC version) and finally conceded and made an iOS office (though with it having a sub fee forget that).

So they're not totally against making software for the competition. But in general they won't prioritize it and the non ms company get updated way later in the version.
 
So with Notch leaving, this is basically 2.5 billion for the name "Minecraft". Seems crazy.

Can someone tell me why you'd buy a company when the key talent leaves? I don't get this at all.

People keep making these posts as if Notch himself or Mojang is worth anything to MS. They're not. Microsoft is buying a brand and an audience, and even Minecraft as it exists right now is just a bonus. I'd bet real money that MS would have payed the exact amount for the IP rights alone, but Notch clearly wanted to be rid of the whole thing, and that includes Mojang.
 
When big publishers take over studios, the creative talent leaves....every time, and the future games suffer as a result.

This implies that notch was a creative talent.

The past few years all mojang has done is incorporate popular fan mods into the ever stagnant base game. Microsoft can get anyone to do that.
 

Cornbread78

Member
Originally Posted by lmbotiva
Classy as fuck MS, the fact they're still supporting the other platforms is super smart and very humbling, hats off to you Phil

If only they treated the TR franchise with such class and humbleness.


There will be a cost to all of this, they are in it to make money after all... This is no tinfoil hat theory, just the way business works, we are in for changes, they are not going to pass by this opportunity with "good-will" intentions....


MS: Yes, we will continue to support existing versions of Minecraft on all devices, however, below are some of the new terms of coverage:

- The loading screen now will include a MS logo in lime green that stays for 30 seconds.

- Additionally, patches will follow their normal schedule, however, we now charge $500,000 in certification fees for each patch.

- Furthermore, we will now charge server fees for OTHER PLATFORMS to use online gameplay in Minecraft. The fee is "modest," but non-negotiable.

- Finally, the price for Minecraft will remain at $19.99 for all copies on consoles, no cross-buy discounts. Bundled copies are nto allowed with any Playstation hardware, including VITA, and Pub fees will be renegotiated as well.



This or some variance of it will, there is no "good-will" between competing consoles like this..
 

Pain

Banned
Sure they will let Microsoft on their platfrom. Why the fuck wouldn't they? What you just said makes no sense at all.
Because they are competitors. Minecraft on Playstation benefits Microsoft more than it does Sony. Take that away and it's millions of potential sales lost.
 

Daffy Duck

Member
I think it could be fantastic for MC.

Imagine what they can go onto with the correct leadership and direction of exploiting the Minecraft brand to it's full potential.

They can throw creative minds at the base idea and build big teams for updates and push things along very quickly now.

I think this is the start of where Minecraft really starts to kick on.

Because they are competitors. Minecraft on Playstation benefits Microsoft more than it does Sony. Take that away and it's millions of potential sales lost.

Heard the phrase "cutting off your nose to spite your face"?
 
I HAVE NEVER EVER SEEN A THREAD SUGGESTING NINTENDO SHOULD GO THIRD PARTY

My point was to show how ridiculous people can be when they don't want to buy hardware from a company they "hate". People say they've outgrown Nintendo, but then beg for them to go 3rd party, so they can play Nintendo games on their platform of choice.
 

Yokai

Member
Billions>>>>>>millions

I don't think he'll give a second thought to Minecraft after this.


IP to artists are what babies are to parents.

Maybe Walt Disney could have sold Mickey Mouse in the early days, but look where the Disney brand is now.

If you want long term money, you hold onto every IP you can, especially when they're successful.
 
The only way a move like this makes sense to me is if MS intend to 'extend' the Minecraft brand and game into more of a pseudo Facebook style platform.

If not..., ? I really have no idea.

You are along the right lines. Minecraft is going to be a platform, not an exclusive game franchise.
 
Thats exactly what minecraft is going to be morphed into, while keeping its sandbox.

I think MS works to merge the two. Combine the Dakota team with Mojang and you have an IP to back your game SDK. People already build their own pseudo-games within Minecraft. If you leave Minecraft for the most part alone and layer an SDK on top of it you may have something there.
 
THAT IS SO MUCH MONEY!!!!

I cannot even fathom the EBITDA multiple they must have used. Good for the founders though, if someone's offering it, you'd be crazy not to take it
 
The only way a move like this makes sense to me is if MS intend to 'extend' the Minecraft brand and game into more of a pseudo Facebook style platform.

If not..., ? I really have no idea.

This is exactly their idea, I believe. We're not just talking gaming/merchandising here. This is Microsoft's way to get kids into Windows. It's a dream educational platform that Mojang really accidentally made.
 

Slowdive

Banned
Because they are competitors. Minecraft on Playstation benefits Microsoft more than it does Sony. Take that away and it's millions of potential sales lost.

Sony would rather have the money than make a competitor lose out on potential sales.
 

Socat

Member
......and boom goes the dynamite.

I just hope the Vita version drops soon.

And that all non MS-platforms will be still supported.


You don't have the best reading comprehension , do you? And I'll enjoy hearing Sony complain when they have to pay MS for Minecraft content.
 

marrec

Banned
I still don't get what's the point of actually buying Mojang. Sounds like a colossal waste of money.

It's a phenomena among kids and has a staying power that Angry Birds lacks because of the ubiquity of it's presence and the continued support and development from Mojang.

When they patch Minecraft on the 360, it's all my son's class talks about. Seriously.

It is going to make MS a boat load of money at the end of the day.
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
OK MS - first step, give the game away for free on PC, but they need to sign up for a Microsoft Account. Don't monetise it just yet, but figure that part out later - could do a yearly fee.

step two - port it to something other than bloody java.
step three - official modding API, modelled as closely as possible to the current system so that modders don't have too much of a hard time bringing things across.

Aim to move 80% of the current userbase across to a C-based platform within 12 months. We're all used to the pain of major version releases so we'll live. And the increased performance will help bring it to lower end laptops in homes and schools.
 
I think MS works to merge the two. Combine the Dakota team with Mojang and you have an IP to back your game SDK. People already build their own pseudo-games within Minecraft. If you leave Minecraft for the most part alone and layer an SDK on top of it you may have something there.

Add a store function like valves where people can make Minecraft created games, giving microsoft 40% of all sales and you see where this is leading.
 
This is exactly their idea, I believe. We're not just talking gaming/merchandising here. This is Microsoft's way to get kids into Windows. It's a dream educational platform that Mojang really accidentally made.

The 2.5 billion dollar question, however, is how does microsoft incentivize that migration without committing brand assassination?

Too similar and people will stick to minecraft 1, too different and they risk losing what made it popular.
 

On Demand

Banned
I don't get Minecraft. To me the game is fucking pointless and boring. Why spend over 2 billion on this when they could of funded literally 50 first party games????? They could of paid for a Shenmue remake AND a whole new game.

The fuck?????
 

LuuKyK

Member
I am not sure I understand the point of this deal, especially at this insane price. There will be a Minecraft 2?

All and all I really dont feel affected positively or negatively by this news, as someone who really doesn't "get" Minecraft's appeal.



Heh, thats very clever. :p
 
The 2.5 billion dollar question, however, is how does microsoft incentivize that migration without committing brand assassination?

Too similar and people will stick to minecraft 1, too different and they risk losing what made it popular.

They've probably got a migration roadmap built out. At least, I hope they do. Their Skype acquisition has been...shaky?

That being said, they could iterate on this platform for years, just like Office. An education-focused version would be killer in schools and developing nations.
 
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