Microsoft is in "serious discussions" to buy Minecraft developer Mojang AB, a new report from the Wall Street Journal claims.
Though neither Microsoft nor Mojang have commented on the potential deal, "a person with knowledge of the matter" alleges that, "The deal would be valued at more than $2 billion and could be signed as early as this week."
Minecraft is easily one of the biggest hits of this generation. Developed by a small little indie company by the name of Mojang AB (founded by Markus 'Notch' Persson), and released for PC in 2011, Minecraft has since become a gaming juggernaut, expanding onto just about every console including Xbox One and PS4.
Given the success of Minecraft, it's understandable why Microsoft would be tempted to buy the studio responsible for it. Even now, a few years after its initial release, Minecraft continues to be a best-seller. But one has to wonder if Mojang's best days are behind them. Aside from the launch of Scrolls, which hasn't nearly become the hit that Minecraft is, Mojang has seemingly been reliant on its hit sandbox-adventure. And with new reports from Bloomberg claiming that "Microsoft will keep Minecraft available for rival products," one has to wonder exactly what advantage Microsoft would have by acquiring Mojang.
I understand Microsoft's desire to gobble up one of the top indie developers in the industry, I just don't see it translating into additional Xbox One sales — unless this acquisition is about more than console sales, and perhaps Microsoft's other peripherals (tablets, smartphones, etc.).
