The rumors and speculation continue. Previously we had received word of Microsoft eyeing up Minecraft developer Mojang, and now we’ve received further hints.
In a report via Bloomberg, we’ve not only gotten a second corroborating tease at the deal being finalized, but it seems like Markus “Notch” Persson remaining at his position within Mojang is simply “unlikely.”
Microsoft is reportedly in talks to outright purchase Mojang for $2 billion dollars. The Bloomberg report states that an agreement came rather quickly after Persson himself reached out to Microsoft “a few months ago”, coming from Mojang’s ongoing partnership with Minecraft on Xbox.
Apparently, both companies “quickly agreed” on a rough deal and an approximate price, and they’ve been hammering out the legalese since then. After Persson is done helping with the transition to a Microsoft studio, “he is unlikely to remain beyond that.”
Microsoft is vying to push Minecraft to other mediums like toys and movies, and—of course—to create more games in the franchise. For all of you PlayStation fans who already own or are considering buying Minecraft on Sony platforms, the Bloomberg report also said that Microsoft “will keep the game available for rival products.”