'Minecraft' for PS4 & Xbox One Gameplay Update: Microsoft Now Officially Owns Game After Buying Mojang
It is official: Microsoft now owns “Minecraft.” The tech giant has confirmed that it purchased Mojang, the developer that created “Minecraft,” adding it to its increasing list of video game studios.
Microsoft confirmed the $2.5 billion acquisition via Twitter, when Microsoft Game Studios CEO Phil Spencer said Mojang had been bought out.
It’s official, today we welcome Mojang to the Microsoft Studios family. We're excited for the possibilities ahead w/the Minecraft community.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 6, 2014
The company’s acquisition of the popular video game and its developer also allowed Mojang's founder, Markus “Notch” Persson, to step down, a decision he announced in September. He cited the game’s popularity in conjuction with his own new fame as reasons for leaving Mojang, saying he will continue working on small projects independently.
“It’s not about the money,” he wrote at the end of his blog post. “It’s about my sanity.”
Mojang’s acquisition adds a new studio to Microsoft’s growing list of internal studions, like “Halo” maker 343 Industries and “Gears of Wars” developer Black Tusk Studios, according to Polygon.
Microsoft has said it will not stop making “Minecraft” for other platforms like Playstation 3, Android, iOS and Windows PC.
Yet, for those that cannot get enough of “Minecraft” there is more good news. Mojang developer Johan Bernhardsson announced on Twitter that the latest build of “Minecraft Pocket Edition” would be sent to Apple on Tuesday for approval.
We have no idea why build 8 did not go out to people. One more day of testing tomorrow and then submit to Apple on Tuesday. :) — Johan Bernhardsson (@jbernhardsson) November 9, 2014
According to Pocket Gamer, the new version will include new features like the ability to build fences and a day and night cycle in the game’s creative portion.
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