Microsoft has confirmed that it has reached an agreement to acquire Swedish game developer Mojang for $2.5bn.
Mojang is most famous for Minecraft, a game that has achieved worldwide recognition for its crude and blocky graphics. It is one of the most popular video games in history, with more than 100 million downloads on PC alone since its launch in 2009.
Mojang posted on its blog that Notch, the creator of Minecraft and the majority shareholder of the company, had decided “that he doesn’t want the responsibility of owning a company of such global significance” and the “pressure of owning Minecraft became too much for him to handle”.
The Mojang team will join Microsoft Studios, which includes the teams behind global blockbuster franchises Halo, Forza, and Fable.
Microsoft claimed that its investments in cloud and mobile technologies will enable Minecraft players to benefit from “richer and faster worlds” and “more powerful development tools”, as well as “more opportunities to connect across the Minecraft community”.
The software giant added it expects the acquisition to be break-even in FY15 on GAAP basis.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said: “Minecraft is more than a great game franchise – it is an open world platform, driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about, and rich with new opportunities for that community and for Microsoft.”
Carl Manneh, chief executive at Mojang, added: “The Minecraft players have taken the game and turned it into something that surpassed all of our expectations. The acquisition by Microsoft brings a new chapter to the incredible story of Minecraft.”
Subject to customary closing conditions and any regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to close in late 2014.
The news follows rumours that Microsoft will publicly reveal its new Windows 9 OS, following invitations being sent out for an event taking place on September 30.
Laura Bracher, London
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