Microsoft is nearing a deal to buy Mojang AB, makers of the Minecraft video game franchise, according to a new report. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal would value Mojang at more than $2 billion and could be signed as soon as this week.
Microsoft and Mojang declined to comment to the Journal. As the Journal notes, the move would be surprising given that Mojang founder Markkus "Notch" Persson, is a darling of the indie gaming scene who has avoided taking venture capital. He has also criticized Microsoft's Windows 8 for potentially being "very, very bad for indie games."
Update: Bloomberg reports that the deal is more likely to be wrapped up next week. According to Bloomberg, talks between the companies began when Persson reached out to Microsoft a few months ago to explore the possibility of a sale. Microsoft believes it can make Minecraft more profitable by increasing its user base and doing more licensing agreements for toys and movies, the report said. Perhaps of greatest interest to Minecraft fans is that Persson will stay with Mojang through its transition to Microsoft but plans to leave beyond that, according to Bloomberg.
Read the full story at The Verge, and the original report at The Wall Street Journal (paywall).
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