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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 behind the popular video game Minecraft, for $2.5bn (PS1.5bn).

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p>The game has sold to more than 54 million copies. It lets players build structures using Lego-style blocks. They can also explore large maps and fight against other players. https://coderwall.com/p/t_jn-a/how-to-make-a-boat-in-minecraft-e8b33acb-edb8-4274-bd18-a7b1d3777ade </p>

p>Phil Spencer, chief Xbox executive, announced the deal.

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p>Mojang the company, whose three founders will leave the company, has assured its the public that "everything will be fine".

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p>Analysts believe that the deal designed to increase the number of Microsoft's Windows Phone users. https://blogfreely.net/searchturkey3/are-you-a-noob-or-not </p>

p>The acquisition comes one year after Microsoft purchased the handset and devices division of Finnish mobile phone company Nokia.

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p>Minecraft is one of the top-selling apps on both Apple's iOS store and and Android's Google Play, and has recently been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation? 4 which has further increased sales.

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p>Last month, it was the third most popular console game according to market research firm NPD Group, despite being in the market for a short time.

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p>The game's creator, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, made over $100m in profit in the last fiscal year, and employs around 40 people.

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p>Microsoft said the Mojang team will join its game studio which is responsible for titles like Halo, Forza and Fable.

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p>The chief executive of the tech giant, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than an amazing game franchise. https://canvas.instructure.com/eportfolios/1484868/Home/Heres_the_Milky_Ways_Supermassive_Black_Hole_In_Minecraft It's an open world platform, driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about 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 criticized Microsoft and stated to Reuters that there was a niche market for Windows phones, and it wasn't something worth developing apps for.

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p>Minecraft has a huge and enthusiastic cult fan base, many of whom have reacted angrily to what they perceive as the corporate takeover of an independent company that is spirited and community-oriented.

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p>"Makes me sick, and sad," wrote one user on a renowned Minecraft forum. "It would end the gaming community," EvilBatsu? added.

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p>Some expressed concern over how fans will be able to show their talents.

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p>"It will not just cost more to play the game, but it could also cost people their jobs." Many people play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube? as a way to earn money but when Microsoft is the new owner, there will for sure be copyright issues."

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p>Some gamers suggested that Microsoft could spend more resources on expansions to the game and improvements.

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p>In an announcement, Microsoft said it would maintain Minecraft across all its current platforms, and a "commitment to nurture and develop in the long run".

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p>The company added that the acquisition was expected to be completed 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 that you're part of are crucial to everyone involved. If you take one thing 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 with the resources to develop Minecraft to the size it is deserved."

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p>The company said that "Notch" had decided he didn't want to assume the responsibility of managing a business with such global significance.

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p>Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:

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p>"I've become a symbol. I do not want to be a symbol, accountable for something that I don't understand, that I do not want to work on that keeps coming back to me. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a chief executive officer.

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p>You can read the entire 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 significant gaming properties around the globe".

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p>"Not only is it profitable, but it continues to increase in profits years after its release, largely because of the huge player base that invests in the creation of their own Minecraft worlds.

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p>"That helps explain why Microsoft would want Minecraft and would like to ensure that it's 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 strong customer base for Microsoft.

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p>"The online gaming industry is quickly moving from niche collective enthusiast to mass market and Minecraft is a natural progression since big business is following the growth of traffic in the digital world."

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p>Amazon bought Twitch last month 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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