View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Technology
September 10, 2014

Microsoft close to acquiring Minecraft creator Mojang for $2bn

First multibillion-dollar deal under the reign of the tech major's new chief executive Satya Nadella

By CBR Staff Writer

Microsoft is reportedly in talks to acquire Swedish game maker Mojang for $2bn, with the deal anticipated to close by end of the week making it the first multibillion-dollar deal under the reign of the tech major’s new chief executive Satya Nadella.

The latest deal would bolster Microsoft’s 13-year-old Xbox videogame business, at a period amid augmenting competition in the global video game console market.

Mojang would be the first multibillion-dollar acquisition by Microsoft’s chief executive, Satya Nadella, since he was named to the top job in February. It would also be an unexpected plunge by him as he has signalled Xbox isn’t a core business for Microsoft.

Since being originally launched in 2009, Mojang has sold over 50 million copies of ‘Minecraft’ and made over $100m in profit in 2013 from the game and merchandise, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In addition, the game maker expanded brand beyond videogames by signing licensing deals with Scholastic for handbooks, Lego for toys and Warner Pictures for making a feature film.

Minecraft is already offered on Xbox, as well as on Sony’s PlayStation, PCs and smartphones.

Last month, researchers at Microsoft developed a speculative execution system for mobile cloud gaming dubbed ‘DeLorean’, which is claimed to predict your next move.

Content from our partners
How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline
How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape
Green for go: Transforming trade in the UK

Mainly targeted at enhancing cloud-based gaming capabilities, the new system works by produces speculative rendered frames of potential possible results and can cover up to 250ms of network latency.

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU