p>Microsoft pays $2.5bn for Minecraft maker Mojang By Joe Miller Technology reporter, BBC News
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p>Microsoft has bought Mojang, the Swedish firm that developed the popular video game Minecraft for $2.5bn (PS1.5bn).
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p>The title that has sold more than 54 million copies, lets players to build structures using Lego-like blocks and also explore the world's largest map and fight other players.
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p>The deal was announced by Xbox chief Phil Spencer.
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p>Mojang the company's founders promised that their fans that everything would be perfectly.
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p>Analysts believe that the deal is intended to boost Microsoft's Windows Phone users.
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p>The acquisition comes one year after Microsoft bought the handset and devices division of Finnish mobile phone firm Nokia.
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p>Minecraft is among the most popular apps on both the Apple iOS store as well as Android's Google Play, and has recently been made available for the Xbox One and PlayStation? 4 and has boosted sales even more.
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p>Despite being available for a while however, it was still the third most played console game in the month of March, according to NPD Group market research firm.
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p>The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, has made over $100m in profit in the last fiscal year, and employs approximately 40 people.
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p>Microsoft announced that the Mojang team would join its game studio, which is responsible for titles like Halo, Forza, and Fable.
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p>The tech giant's chief executive, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than a great game franchise. It's an open world platform, driven by a lively community that we are deeply involved in and brimming with exciting opportunities for this community and for Microsoft."
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p>Opposition to the sale
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p>Markus "Notch", Mojang's founder, has previously criticised Microsoft and told Reuters that there was a niche market for Windows phones, and it wasn't worth developing applications for. https://blogfreely.net/nosevest1/how-to-create-a-kitchen-in-minecraft </p>
p>Minecraft has a huge and enthusiastic cult following who have reacted angrily to what they believe is a corporate takeover of an independent, community-minded company.
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p>"Makes me sick, and sad," wrote one user on a renowned Minecraft forum. EvilBatsu? wrote, "It would kill off the gaming community."
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p>Others expressed concerns about the ability of fans to show their talents.
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p>"It will not just cost more to play the game, but it could also affect people's jobs." Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube? as a profession but should Microsoft is the new owner, there will be copyright issues."
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p>Some players suggested that Microsoft could spend more resources on expansions and enhancements.
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p>In a statement, Microsoft said it would keep Minecraft across all its existing platforms, and a "commitment to nurture and grow in the long run".
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p>It said that the acquisition was expected by the end of 2014
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p>In a statement that confirmed the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, saying: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and the community you are part of are vital to everyone involved. If you take anything out of this article please let it be that."
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p>With regard to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only a handful of potential buyers who have the resources to develop Minecraft to the size it deserves."
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p>The company stated that "Notch" had decided that he didn't want to assume the responsibility of running a company with the magnitude of a global company.
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p>Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:
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p>"I've become an icon. I don't want to be an object of ridicule. I don't want to be responsible for something that I don't understand. That I don’t want to work on. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive officer.
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p>You can read his complete statement here
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p>Why Minecraft?
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p>James McQuivey? of analytics firm Forrester has stated that "Minecraft is one of the most important gaming properties in the world".
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p>"Not only is it profitable however, it continues to grow in revenue years after its release, largely because of the huge community of fans who invest in creating their own Minecraft worlds.
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p>"That is a reason the reason Microsoft would like Minecraft and would want to ensure it is always available on Microsoft's gaming platforms.
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p>Professor Mark Skilton from Warwick Business School said that the acquisition was about building a solid customer base for Microsoft.
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p>"The online gaming industry is rapidly moving from niche collective enthusiast to mass market , and Minecraft is a sensible choice as large businesses follow the growth of traffic in the digital world."
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p>Last month, Amazon bought Twitch, an online platform that allows users to watch others play video games, for $970 million (PS597m).
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p>"It's about my sanity."
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p>Microsoft is 'set to buy Minecraft'
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p>Microsoft completes Nokia phone deal
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p>Microsoft
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p>NPD Group
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