Microsoft to buy Minecraft maker Mojang for $2.5 billion

Microsoft is expected to complete its acquisition of Swedish game company Mojang for $2.5 billion. Mojang is the company that developed the game Minecraft. Minecraft can be played on any platform including PC, smartphones/tablets and video game consoles (Xbox and PlayStation etc).

With this acquisition, Microsoft is showing serious determination towards digital games across all platforms. The acquisition will be the largest acquisition for the current new CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella.

“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,” Nadella said in a statement.

What Nadella said about Minecraft is true. The game that sold over 50 million copies worldwide offers a unique type of gameplay which allow the players to create anything they desire.  There are no milestones or particular goals set in the game that the players have to complete.

With this acquisition, Microsoft can utilize Minecraft in many ways to lure down customers into purchasing Microsoft devices by offering exclusive content for people who own an Xbox or a device powered by Windows.

Besides Minecraft and Mojang, Microsoft is also planning to acquire Gears of War franchise from Epic. Epic is the company that first developed the game and is also responsible for producing its sequels since its release in 206. GoW sold more than 22 million copies worldwide since the date of its release.

With Halo already a major success for Microsoft, selling over 50 million copies since 2001 and Minecraft also becoming a part of Microsoft, the acquisition of Gears of War franchise will definitely put Microsoft in a very commanding position in the video gaming industry.