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p>Microsoft plans to buy Minecraft's developer Mojang According to reports by Leo Kelion Technology desk editor

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p>According to reports, Microsoft is in negotiations to purchase Minecraft's video games studio.

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p>It has been suggested that Mojang could sell for more than $2 billion (PS1.2bn).

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p>The Swedish studio claimed it had sold 54 million copies of its world-building game in June. It's been released on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 since then, thereby increasing sales.

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p>Markus "Notch", the creator of Mojang has previously been openly critical of Microsoft. https://mooc.elte.hu/eportfolios/1089150/Home/Minecraft_10_7_Apk_Free_Download </p>

p>He said that Microsoft was trying to "destroy the Windows 8 operating platform as an open platform" by certifying third-party titles prior to the release of Windows 8.

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p>He was also a fervent advocate of independent studios. In 2012, he declared that: "The more studios can be free of the publisher system the more games will be made out love rather than profit."

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p>But, according to Bloomberg news agency, it was Mr Persson who "reached out" to Microsoft in the last few months.

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p>It said that a source suggested if the deal went through Persson would be a part of the deal. Persson would be able to assist with the transition, but was likely to leave the company afterward.

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p>The New York Times also reported that a person who was briefed on the talks had revealed that Mr. Persson was scheduled to depart within six months, but added that Mojang was keen to hold the younger developers.

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p>Microsoft spokesperson said that they do not comment on speculations and rumours.

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p>Mojang declined to respond to. Mr Persson did not respond to BBC's questions.

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p>Virtual world

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p>Minecraft was first released in the year 2011. It has since grown into a cultural phenomenon and is now the third most popular game in the world.

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p>The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has hosted a night which explored the culture of design, Lego has made spin-off toys, Ordnance Survey has created an island version of mainland Great Britain within the game and Denmark's government constructed an accurate model of their country.

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p>The game is set in a virtual universe composed of cubes of various substances, including dirt and rock. These cubes can be used to construct blocks or be converted into usable raw materials.

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p>The blocks can be used to build shelters or even weapons to defend themselves against the zombies and other creatures that are in the game.

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p>They can also participate in huge construction projects to flex their creative skills.

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p>One extreme recent example was the creation of a functioning virtual hard drive.

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p>Mojang has worked on a variety of titles, but they have either failed to meet the standards of Minecraft's popularity - for instance, the role-playing game (RPG) Scrolls - or been put on hold until completion - such as 0x10c, a space-themed game that Mr Persson was working on until last year.

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p>'Worried gamers'

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p>The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on negotiations between Mojang and Microsoft and Microsoft, stating that the deal could be concluded this week.

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p>It was also noted that this would be the first multibillion-dollar acquisition by Microsoft's chief executive, Satya Nadella, since he took charge of the company.

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p>Harry Bradshaw, who interviewed Mr. Persson via Twitch and stated that a lot of gamers would be worried about the news.

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p>He noted that there have been instances in the past when big corporations took another's game and turned it into a massive flip to determine how much they could make."

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p>"Gamers will naturally be concerned about this.

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p>"It is a mystery to me why Mojang would even consider selling, considering that it is the most popular PC game ever and still sells thousands per day."

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p>One market observer said it was unlikely that Microsoft would remove existing Minecraft games off sale for the PlayStation, Mac, Android, Linux and other rival platforms.

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p>He also said that Microsoft's systems could be preferred when it comes to the future of products.

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p>"Minecraft is one the leading IPs (intellectual property) within the gaming industry that is potentially acquirable," said Piers Harding-Rolls who is the lead games analyst for the consultancy IHS.

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p>"The brand could last for the next 10 years,"

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p>"So even though it is an expensive investment It still has value for larger businesses looking to get exclusive rights to a highly-engaged franchise."

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p>Minecraft maker shelves 0x10c game

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p>19 August 2013

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p>Twitch

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p>IHS

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p>New York Times

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p>Bloomberg

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p>WSJ

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