If this was coming from anywhere but a place like The Wall Street Journal, I probably would have blinked and moved on, but here we are. The publication is reporting Microsoft may finalize a deal to buy Mojang, creators of Minecraft, in a $2 billion deal this week.

Yeah. $2 billion.

The WSJ described the talks as "serious discussions." This would mean they've gone far past the flirtation stage of negotiations.

A deal like this suggests Microsoft views Minecraft as the new Lego, a product with mindshare among children for generations. It might also suggest Mojang realizes it will never make another game like Minecraft, and it's better to cash in now. It's also possible all of this could fall apart in the next few days.

This would also be slightly surprising to hear from creator Markus Persson, who has actively railed against the sale of other companies, such as Oculus. In the past, he's said he wanted to remain independent.

It's not uncommon for big companies to acquire studios after a surprise hit, though it's probably not fair to describe Minecraft that way anymore. If we're to entertain the idea of a sale, it raises some big questions about the future. Minecraft just launched on PlayStation 4, and a Vita version is on the way. The mobile versions of Minecraft have been some of the most consistent sellers on every platform. Would Microsoft really consider pulling the plug on those versions? That's hard to imagine--it'd be throwing away money.

What, then, is Microsoft's longterm plan for Minecraft? Perhaps ongoing development is stopped on the other versions, and the Xbox and Windows Mobile versions become the "superior" editions of Minecraft? A huge part of Minecraft's appeal is its modability, and its availability on platforms like the PC and Mac.

Or maybe Microsoft just leaves it alone? Hmm. It's possible. But companies love to meddle.

I'd throw my stances out the window for two billion, too. I could buy, like, A HUNDRED Giant Bombs with that sorta skrilla!

This seems out of character for Notch. I guess $2bn can sway most people though.

I think my main worry about Microsoft buying Mojang is the increased barrier of entry to low-income families.

A lot of cheap laptops can run Minecraft with an older version of Windows or a free copy of Ubuntu. If you can only get it through the Windows 8.1 app store or on an expensive console that would be a real shame. I guess 360s will only be getting cheaper though.

And a few months later Notch leaves and starts his own indie studio

Wow, this feels like it kind of came out of nowhere. Interesting to see what ends up happening.

Well, Mojang already has bajillions of dollars, why not a few bajillion more. Also, I don't know if you guys know this, but Notch has always been a hugely pretentious hypocrite. I hope he buys a private island and goes away for a while.

@august: It would be a real bummer if they do that. I see them more likely doing special things for Microsoft versions or not selling the game on any new platforms.

Or maybe they just want to make part of the profits.

This does worry me, but it seems stranger than scary to me. Minecraft was a miracle and it doesn't look like Mojang is going to put out another mega-hit like that any time soon. Surely the Minecraft market must be close to saturation by now.

I guess the big question here (if this is true) is what Notch decides to do. Minecraft is already pretty much a separate entity or company from Notch himself. As long as he keeps doing his thing, I'm ok with it.

$2 Billion.

Mojang is worth more than ALL OF TWITCH.TV. This feels like I live in crazy land where people just throw money out on the street for no reason. Can anyone explain this to me?

I imagine Notch's indie ambitions probably can be swayed by $2 billion. He can leave and start about a hundred separate studios to make whatever he can possibly dream of. Rich Uncle Notch-bags will be the indie game community's equivalent of Robin Hood, robbing from greedy Microsoft and giving it out to the indies - I can't wait to see him donate a million to a Humble Bundle or something similarly ridiculous.

2 billion for meinkraft alone seems ridiculous.

But if it's not just for the game, I don't know what else it's for.

I seem to recall Notch talking about how Mojang would exist for a while and try some stuff, then if it didn't work out he would just close the studio.

This seems like the perfect opportunity for a ridiculously huge "payout and get out".

Take the money. Don't be an idiot.

For real, just take the money.

Microsoft will see Minecraft more like a service than a game, like releasing Office and Skype on Apple and Android products

Does anyone know if Notch has ultimate veto power for this type of decision? Has he remained in control of Mojang over the last few years?

I just find this hard to believe.

2 Billion? Doesn't Minecraft make that in a blink of an eye?

It would be out of character for Notch if this sale goes through.

You know what would make Notch REALLY be able to be independent? 2 Billion dollars. Unless he's contractually obligated to stay with the company or something.

What wouldn't you sell for 2 billion dollars?

This only really bothers me in light of the big stink he made over Facebook and Oculus.

Only if part of that 2 billion goes towards Notch funding Psychonauts 2.

Who was the outlet who rumoured that Google was buying Twitch and than it ended up being Amazon. Perhaps there are discussions of Mojang being bought but Microsoft isn't the company or the only one.

@seemah: Last I saw he was still the majority shareholder but he has to think about everyone with him in a deal like this. He is not the only one that would profit from it. If they are offering that much money it would be very difficult to just say no but at the same time he is quite wealthy and their game is still making money.

Money talks

"I'd like to remain indepen...2 billion, you say?"

I can only hope that Microsoft allows them to continue supporting it on other platforms.

Like that matters in the face of two billion fucking dollars.

@rayeth said:

It's baffling to me as well. Minecraft was lightning in a bottle that's most likely already run its course. I doubt a sequel would achieve anywhere the same success as the first. Meanwhile, Twitch is a service that is used everyday by millions and only has potential to grow its userbase. We now officially live in bizzaro-world.

I see your point, but don't you think notch has more money than he could ever spend already? ... I would seem very out of character for him to sell mojang.

You know, it'd be nice if Microsoft gives the PC Minecraft official gamepad support and Xbox UI already..

My guess is that if the deal goes through, Microsoft still publishes Minecraft on the non-Microsoft platforms, where it already exists, but probably slows that train down as far as new gaming devices go. Macs are outside of this bubble, I think, and can't imagine Microsoft pulling support for Minecraft on Apple machines. I mean, they publish Office over there, why not Minecraft too; they're equally pervasive.

@kanerobot said:

At this point, with this amount of money, it'd be fucking irresponsible not to take the deal. I don't presume to know Notch's personal life, but if it's anything like mine then he's got bills, he's got dependents, and he's got to make sure their futures are secure should anything bad happen to him. The peace of mind alone one could get from such a deal is worth it.

I mean, Holy Wayne, how is this is even a debate?

holy shit, I hope this is true just because it's so insane.

I don't think it's out of the question for Microsoft to get a share of the Playstation sales as well as other platforms, and havin future installments as exclusives. This could benefit both XBox, and Windows if the game is only available through their Windows marketplace (or whatever it's called).

Yes. He prolly has way more money than he would really be able to spend without going balls crazy. Still... that's still so much money. It'd give him the ability to go beyond spending money into the realm of doing crazy shit like funding large projects out of pocket. Or maybe, larger projects than he currently can.

Yeah, why not, I mean it worked great for Nokia.

The one good thing that might come from this is that Notch would have enough to Fund Psychonauts 2.

But, it's on so many competing platforms. And is made in Java for the main version. wowowow

Minecraft 360 has been The BestSeller (or just about) nearly everywhere it's out physically or digitally since it got released, so it's not that bad of an idea.

It's just that it's a one-hit-company and Notch could go, letting whoever wants leave with him, and head out to build another team.

And that it's would be another unexplainable piece of desperate insanity from Microsoft if they were to do this.

And causing the Ferguson of gamers if they along with the acquisition demanded that all non-Microsoft platforms versions of Minecraft were to be recalled.

And you don't think he already has close to a billion dollars if not more at this point? Think about how rich this guy already is considering every copy of Minecraft ever sold in the last 4 years. He's already set for life.

Jeez. It didn't take long for Twitter to fill up with Notch bashing.

Is it just me, or does that seem like the kind of thing Notch would never do?

I mean, this is the guy who throws giant parties for their own sake and cancels deals with Oculus over twitter?

I work in a store that sells Minecraft merchandise - books, kits, figures, apparel, bobbleheads, etc. - if this deal includes all that stuff, then two billion dollars isn't a ludicrous number. To a generation of kids, Minecraft is a lot more than just a video game.

Does Minecraft still make enough money to justify spending $2 billion on a studio that's done fuck all else for five years?

Show me a game developer who wouldn't sell out for $2 billion and I'll show you a god damn liar.

WTB Money Hat joke.

Also I keep meaning to try Scrolls. Sounds like late autumn for a demo.

@luck702 said:

Maybe, maybe not. I have no idea what the profit sharing amongst the developers of Mojang is like. I personally have no interest in Mojang, Notch, or Minecraft, but when I see that much money sitting on the table, I know better than to walk away without picking up every last dollar.

Minecraft is worth 2/5ths of Star Wars.

*insert Million Dollar Man laugh here*

I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be a bit more complicated than a complete buyout if it happens. Perhaps Microsoft would get the rights to any future Minecraft games or to Minecraft as a 'franchise' but wouldn't be allowed to have control over the original Minecraft.