Microsoft has bought Mojang/Minecraft for $2.5Bn {UPDATE}

[Nationes Pii Redivivi]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

[The Rich Port]

I don't think you understand just how big this game is.

It's a pioneering effort in MMOs, not to mention it has a genius design.

It's like this generation's Mario Bros. or Doom or Pac-Man, and those licenses are making millions even after decades.

Guess I didn't think about the merch angle, but still, that's a hell of a lot of t-shirts, blocky toy swords, cardboard box heads, and so on!

Yup. 10 years down the line, the developers will be very wealthy.

MOICHANDISIN'

[The Rich Port]

We need competition, and Microsoft is trying to form a monopoly on software and hardware.

"Trying?"

It's been their modus operandi since the 1990s.

For once, you're right.

[Geanna]

"Trying?"

It's been their modus operandi since the 1990s.

For once, you're right.

Indeed - the only thing I'd find more suitable for Microsoft is following the route of Atari and jumping off a building in a drunken rage.

Microsoft: ''Our new entertainment system, the Xbone 2.0''

*Ooo Ahh*

Microsoft: ''Just kidding it's shit''

Was the original modus operandi however now we can add this to the equation and still bang our heads against a grenade.

''You want to play Minecraft? Sign up for Micorosft shit this, Microsoft shit this, and buy an Xbox you lazy bum''

How about I refuse to update the game - or strangle it in its sleep and bury the damn thing in the backyard before you decide to fuck with my sanity even further Microsoft. It'd be analogous at least to ripping out the bad ending of a book up to the point where you reach a good point in the story and saying it was a good game before it decides to throw you in for a spin, beat you for your cash, and leave you rotting in a dark alley somewhere.

[Shaggai]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

I really, really don't get the point of this sort of post. If you actually don't care, why are you reading the thread? More to the point, why are you posting in it? Some sort of "I'm too cool for you people, and I feel the need to inform everyone about how amazingly cool I am by insulting your choice of games. Furthermore, I am so cool that, despite specifically going into the thread and posting a reply, I still somehow don't care" mentality?

[The Rich Port]

For once, you're right.

Indeed - the only thing I'd find more suitable for Microsoft is following the route of Atari and jumping off a building in a drunken rage.

Microsoft: ''Our new entertainment system, the Xbone 2.0''

*Ooo Ahh*

Microsoft: ''Just kidding it's shit''

Was the original modus operandi however now we can add this to the equation and still bang our heads against a grenade.

''You want to play Minecraft? Sign up for Micorosft shit this, Microsoft shit this, and buy an Xbox you lazy bum''

How about I refuse to update the game - or strangle it in its sleep and bury the damn thing in the backyard before you decide to fuck with my sanity even further Microsoft. It'd be analogous at least to ripping out the bad ending of a book up to the point where you reach a good point in the story and saying it was a good game before it decides to throw you in for a spin, beat you for your cash, and leave you rotting in a dark alley somewhere.

I've been thinking people should start backing it up before something bad happens.

I personally don't know how to do that, but I'll be happy to spread it around.

It's free to access with an online connection after you buy it. Or at least, that was what the Mojang contract stipulated.

[Lemanrussland]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

I really, really don't get the point of this sort of post. If you actually don't care, why are you reading the thread? More to the point, why are you posting in it? Some sort of "I'm too cool for you people, and I feel the need to inform everyone about how amazingly cool I am by insulting your choice of games. Furthermore, I am so cool that, despite specifically going into the thread and posting a reply, I still somehow don't care" mentality?

But cowadooty has better graphics and innovative FPS mechanics!

[Geanna]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

I really, really don't get the point of this sort of post. If you actually don't care, why are you reading the thread? More to the point, why are you posting in it? Some sort of "I'm too cool for you people, and I feel the need to inform everyone about how amazingly cool I am by insulting your choice of games. Furthermore, I am so cool that, despite specifically going into the thread and posting a reply, I still somehow don't care" mentality?

The bold practically outlines the job description for a Game Critic Though, I can agree - I don't see the point in the comment at least outside of trying to bait someone - unless narcissism is out in the air this season - Though if the latter was the case I'd be more feverish with my own narcissistic tendencies. *Feels pulse* Which doesn't seem to be the case.

[Cata Larga]

Well, that's capitalism for you. Just be glad Electronic Arts didn't get them first.

[Gauthier]

I really, really don't get the point of this sort of post. If you actually don't care, why are you reading the thread? More to the point, why are you posting in it? Some sort of "I'm too cool for you people, and I feel the need to inform everyone about how amazingly cool I am by insulting your choice of games. Furthermore, I am so cool that, despite specifically going into the thread and posting a reply, I still somehow don't care" mentality?

The bold practically outlines the job description for a Game Critic Though, I can agree - I don't see the point in the comment at least outside of trying to bait someone - unless narcissism is out in the air this season - Though if the latter was the case I'd be more feverish with my own narcissistic tendencies. *Feels pulse* Which doesn't seem to be the case.

Internet hipsters. Simple. "I'm showing how edgy I am by telling everyone I don't give a shit about a popular mainstream game."

[Toronina]

Welp, I'm never playing Minecraft again

[L Ron Cupboard]

I think Microsoft would get better value for money investing in developers working on games that might be a future Angry Birds or Minecraft. Games have a limited lifespan of being massively popular, so paying huge amounts of money for an already popular game things can only go downhill.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Welp, I'm never playing Minecraft again

Why not?

[Finland SSR]

Welp, I'm never playing Minecraft again

Why not?

Because goblins.

[Lordieth]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

-> Game has millions of followers
-> Massive Youtube presence
-> Is ingrained into game-culture
-> Makes hundred+ million a year
-> Massive brand awareness

Yeah. Silly Microsoft.

[Finland SSR]

The inexplicably popular ugly, 3-d Pixel game was bought by Microsoft for an inordinate amount of money because they are idiots. I really don't see why I should care.

-> Game has millions of followers
-> Massive Youtube presence
-> Is ingrained into game-culture
-> Makes hundred+ million a year
-> Massive brand awareness

Yeah. Silly Microsoft.

Yeah.
Just the honor of owning Minecraft and it's huge following is worth those billions.

[Lordieth]

-> Game has millions of followers
-> Massive Youtube presence
-> Is ingrained into game-culture
-> Makes hundred+ million a year
-> Massive brand awareness

Yeah. Silly Microsoft.

Yeah.
Just the honor of owning Minecraft and it's huge following is worth those billions.

It's a feather in Microsoft's cap. Microsoft is desperate to portray a certain image. Personally, I think this is bad news for Minecraft, but I could be wrong. If they stay faithful and let Mojang do their thing, with Microsoft's budget behind them Minecraft could benefit greatly.

I just hope beyond hope that they don't make it a subscription service. Or I'm done with it.

[Toronina]

Welp, I'm never playing Minecraft again

Why not?

Because in all likelyhood, we are gonna have to pay money for extra stuff, that should be free. We all know what big company like Microsoft are like

[Finland SSR]

Yeah.
Just the honor of owning Minecraft and it's huge following is worth those billions.

It's a feather in Microsoft's cap. Microsoft is desperate to portray a certain image. Personally, I think this is bad news for Minecraft, but I could be wrong. If they stay faithful and let Mojang do their thing, with Microsoft's budget behind them Minecraft could benefit greatly.

I just hope beyond hope that they don't make it a subscription service. Or I'm done with it.

I just hope they keep the modding and perhaps even make it easier. That's all I need from Minecraft, besides that - I don't really care. Of course, no paid subscriptions and and paywall stuff would be nice, but I have people.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Why not?

Because in all likelyhood, we are gonna have to pay money for extra stuff, that should be free. We all know what big company like Microsoft are like

Just like with Windows, Office, and Halo, right?

[Shaggai]

Why not?

Because in all likelyhood, we are gonna have to pay money for extra stuff, that should be free. We all know what big company like Microsoft are like

I would rate that "somewhat unlikely". Minecraft already makes a lot of money, and will continue to make massive amounts of money for quite a while to come. The graphics are intentionally simple, so they'll never get outdated. The mechanics will never get outdated, either, because they were never cutting-edge, so that's not going to be a reason to drop it. Plus, Minecraft has the ultimate secret weapon - small children. There's a continuous supply of new people in the right demographics. And since there's such a wide range of potential things to do, it appeals to more than just small children, making an even larger pool of potential players. They don't need to make existing players pay more. They've got enough new ones to make up for it.

(Also, can you imagine the backlash they would get over that? They're getting enough flak already just for buying Mojang. Making Minecraft pay-to-play would result in so much outrage that they would never live it down.)

[Talanzaar]

I have a feeling that this is going to go horribly wrong

[Cata Larga]

In case some people are still panicking, I'd like to remind you all that Facebook bought Oculus Rift a while back in a multi-billion dollar deal and it hasn't been fucked yet.

[Torisakia]

Well shit.

Maybe Microsoft can kick the kiddies out of the game. Take up too much server space.

I don't even play Minecraft anymore, so this doesn't really affect me. But for $2.5 billion? I would've just offered a nickel and three corn chips, Mojang will take anything.

[Ainin]

I have a feeling that this is going to go horribly wrong

Why exactly?