It's Official Microsoft Buys Mojang and the Minecraft Franchise

Microsoft announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Mojang, the game's developer based in Stockholm, and iconic franchise "Minecraft" Company.

Team Mojang will join Microsoft Studios, which includes studies behind franchise "Halo", "Strength", "Fable" and more. Microsoft says that its investments in cloud and mobile technologies will allow players to "Minecraft" to benefit from the richer and faster, more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect with the community worlds "Minecraft".

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire Mojang for $ 2.5 billion. Subject to customary closing conditions and any regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2014.

Available on multiple platforms, "Minecraft" is one of the most popular games in history, with over 100 million downloads, PC only, by players since its launch in 2009, "Minecraft" is one of the top PC games of all time, the most popular online game Xbox, and the top paid app for iOS and Android in the United States .The community "Minecraft" is one of the most active and passionate about the industry, with more than 2 billion hours played on Xbox 360 only in last two years. Amateur "Minecraft" are loyal, with almost 90 percent of the customers pay on the PC after you have signed in the last 12 months.

"The game is an activity that involves top devices from computers and consoles, tablets and mobile, with billions of hours devoted to each year," said Satya Nadella, CEO, and Microsoft. "Minecraft is a great game franchise -. Which is an open platform in the world, led by a vibrant community that we care deeply, and full of new opportunities for the community and for Microsoft"

"The players 'Minecraft' took the game and turned it into something that exceeded all our expectations. Acquisition by Microsoft brings a new chapter to the incredible story of 'Minecraft'," said Carl Manneh, CEO, Mojang. "As the founders passed new projects, we believe that the high level of creativity of the community will continue the success of the game in the future." The founders are emerging Notch, Carl and Jakob.

Microsoft plans to continue to do so "Minecraft" which is available on all platforms where it is available today: PC, iOS, Android, Xbox and PlayStation.

"'Minecraft' is one of the most popular franchises of all time," said Phil Spencer, head of Xbox. "We hold 'Minecraft' and community in all the ways that love today, with a commitment to care for and grow long into the future." You can see Spencer talk about the acquisition in the video below.