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 that developed 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 allows players to create structures using retro Lego-style blocks. They can explore large maps as well as engage with other players.
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p>Phil Spencer, chief Xbox executive announced the deal.
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p>Mojang the company, whose three founders will be leaving the company, has assured its the public that "everything is going to be fine".
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p>Analysts speculate that the deal is meant to increase Microsoft's Windows Phone users.
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p>This acquisition comes a year after Microsoft bought the Finnish mobile phone Nokia's handset and devices division.
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p>Minecraft is one of the most popular apps on both Apple's iOS store as well as Android's Google Play, and has recently been released for the Xbox One and PlayStation? 4 and has boosted sales even more.
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p>Despite being on sale for some time however, it was still the third most-played console game in the month of March, according to NPD Group market research firm.
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p>The game's developer, Mojang, which was founded in 2009, has made over $100m in profit in the last fiscal year, and employs around 40 employees.
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p>Microsoft announced that the Mojang team would be joining its game studio, which is responsible for games such as Halo, Forza, and Fable.
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p>The tech giant's chief executive, Satya Nadella, said: "Minecraft is more than an amazing game franchise. It is an open world platform, driven by a vibrant community that we are deeply involved in and full of exciting opportunities for this community and for Microsoft."
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p>Opposition to sale
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p>Markus "Notch", Mojang's founder, has previously criticised Microsoft and told Reuters that there was a niche market for Windows phones and it wasn't worth developing apps for.
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p>Minecraft has a large and enthusiastic cult fan base Many of them have reacted angrily to what they believe is a 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. EvilBatsu? stated, "It would kill off the gaming community."
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p>Some expressed concern over how fans will be able to exhibit their skills.
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p>"Not only will it cost more money to play the game it will cost people their jobs too. Many players play Minecraft and upload it to YouTube as a way to earn money but when Microsoft takes over there will be copyright issues."
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p>However some enthusiasts pointed out that Microsoft could allocate more resources to expanding and upgrading the game.
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p>In a statement, Microsoft said it would continue to maintain Minecraft across all its existing platforms, and with a "commitment to nurture and expand in the long run".
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p>It said that the acquisition was anticipated by the end of 2014
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p>In an announcement confirming the deal on its website, Mojang reassured gamers, by saying: "Please remember that the future of Minecraft and the community you are part of are extremely important to everyone involved. If you can take one thing away from this post then let it be this."
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p>With regard to Microsoft, Mojang said: "There are only few potential buyers who have the capacity to grow Minecraft to the scale it is deserved."
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p>The firm added that "Notch" had made the decision that he "doesn't want the responsibility of running an enterprise of such global significance".
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p>Developer Notch on selling Minecraft:
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p>"I've become an icon. I don't want to become a symbol. I don't want be accountable for something I don∏t understand. That I don∏t want to work on. 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 among the most important gaming properties in the world".
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p>"Not only is it profitable, but it continues to grow in profits years after its launch, largely because of the ardent player base that invests in building out their own Minecraft worlds.
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p>"That helps to explain the reason Microsoft would be interested in Minecraft and would want to ensure it is always accessible 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 fast moving from niche collective enthusiast to mass market and Minecraft is a logical move as large businesses follow the growth of traffic in the digital world."
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p>In the last month, Amazon bought Twitch, a site which allows users to view other users play video games for $970m (PS597m).
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p>"It's all about my sanity"
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p>Microsoft is'set to purchase Minecraft'
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p>Microsoft completes Nokia phone deal
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p>Microsoft
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p>NPD Group
