Just reading some news articles stating that Microsoft is close to sealing a deal to buy Mojang for +$2 billion. This is certainly gonna change things, I suspect.
My prediction is M$ will wrap up PC updates within a year, allowing the console editions to also catch up and come to a close. Then Minecraft 2. We can also expect M$ to launch their own servers for multiplayer, both on Xbox Live and PC. In addition, I would excpect changes to the PC version so they can sell official texture, skin and map packs.
My prediction is M$ will wrap up PC updates within a year, allowing the console editions to also catch up and come to a close. Then Minecraft 2. We can also expect M$ to launch their own servers for multiplayer, both on Xbox Live and PC. In addition, I would excpect changes to the PC version so they can sell official texture, skin and map packs.
Strong possibility; but Microsoft could pull a 180 and this may mean a more open console environment in the long run. Whichever way Microsoft turns with this... it's gonna be an interesting ride, I think.
* I'm really glad I bought a One.
* MC2? Bring it on.... now! Bout time!
* What if Sony was buying MC? Do you think Sony would keep MC going (and provide updates) for MS consoles?
IF this happens, I think Urban's take is as good as any. (Who knows, really?)
But if you own a Sony console- well, let the whining begin.
4J Studios are the developers, but that doesn't mean that the development occurs independent of Mojang. 4J Studios was contracted by Mojang to port Minecraft onto the Xbox; and I'm quite sure that, in so doing, they (i.e. Mojang) retained a say in what 4J could and could not do regarding development of the console edition.. At Minecon 2012, the situation was described as a "partnership" among Mojang, Microsoft, and 4J Studios. Microsoft buying Mojang will have an impact... It could mean that 4J gets "removed" as the developer of the game and whole thing gets pulled into Microsoft. Conversely, Microsoft could also keep Mojang merely as an independent holding and allow it to operate much as it has in the past. IGN has an article discussing the various possibilities.
I was not aware of that thread when I opened this one. However, since this is in the Xbox section of the forums, I would expect discussion here to take on a different perspective than the PC players are discussing. For example, a good question is indeed how might this affect 4J Studios and future updates of the console edition.
* I'm really glad I bought a One.
* MC2? Bring it on.... now! Bout time!
* What if Sony was buying MC? Do you think Sony would keep MC going (and provide updates) for MS consoles?
IF this happens, I think Urban's take is as good as any. (Who knows, really?)
But if you own a Sony console- well, let the whining begin.
I believe that if Sony purchased Minecraft they would provide updates for Microsoft however it would be for a substantial price.
I'm hoping that if the deal does go through, Microsoft decide to keep Sony involved and continue with the updates for for Playstation edition. This is not because I am a Sony fan but because I think it's only fair that they purchased the game just like Xbox users and are entitled the updates just like the rest of us.
* The hope that "Microsoft decides to keep Sony involved" is wishful thinking. MS helping to support Sony? That's like Ford starting to carry Chevy parts. Not happening.
* True, Sony people purchased the game. It won't stop working. Sony people can play their version as long as their console still works. But "entitled" to updates? No. Updates (for any version) isn't a "right"- they're given freely to us out of Mojang's/4J's good will.
Read the Terms of Service (EULA), Upgrades: "We might make upgrades and updates available from time to time, but we don‘t have to. We are also not obliged to provide ongoing support or maintenance of any Game. Of course, we hope to continue to release new updates for our Game, we just can‘t guarantee that we will do so."
I would think that IF (it's still a big if) MS buys MC, there will be continued updates, DLC, etc..... just not for Sony people. Hopefully MS kinda leaves it alone (doesn't upset the cart) and lets it carry on like it has.
But 4J's job will get a lot easier!
Notch himself tweeted on June 17, 2014: "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig."
And on December 18, 2012: "Anyway, my price is two billion dollars. Give me two billion dollars, and I'll endorse your crap." http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/09/11/microsoft-buying-minecraft-wont-somebody-think-of-the-children/
So he's not worried about anybody- much less Sony people.
We're talking 2 billion dollars here.
That's 2,000 million!
I wouldn't blame him!
* The hope that "Microsoft decides to keep Sony involved" is wishful thinking. MS helping to support Sony? That's like Ford starting to carry Chevy parts. Not happening.
* True, Sony people purchased the game. It won't stop working. Sony people can play their version as long as their console still works. But "entitled" to updates? No. Updates (for any version) isn't a "right"- they're given freely to us out of Mojang's/4J's good will.
Read the Terms of Service (EULA), Upgrades: "We might make upgrades and updates available from time to time, but we don‘t have to. We are also not obliged to provide ongoing support or maintenance of any Game. Of course, we hope to continue to release new updates for our Game, we just can‘t guarantee that we will do so."
I would think that IF (it's still a big if) MS buys MC, there will be continued updates, DLC, etc..... just not for Sony people. Hopefully MS kinda leaves it alone (doesn't upset the cart) and lets it carry on like it has.
But 4J's job will get a lot easier!
Notch himself tweeted on June 17, 2014: "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig."
And on December 18, 2012: "Anyway, my price is two billion dollars. Give me two billion dollars, and I'll endorse your crap." http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/09/11/microsoft-buying-minecraft-wont-somebody-think-of-the-children/
So he's not worried about anybody- much less Sony people.
We're talking 2 billion dollars here.
That's 2,000 million!
I wouldn't blame him!
Good point Geneo... I wouldn't blame Notch for selling either... the reaction to the new EULA has just been brutal.
What confuses me is why Microsoft would be willing to pay that much for a company that is essentially a 1 hit wonder that is notoriously based on community involvement (which is something Microsoft has historically resisted) and when the redraft of the EULA has already essentially decimated that same community spirit. Maybe I'm short sighted, but I don't think I would be willing to pay that much for a game that may have already "jumped the shark" and continues on the PC really only because the public enjoys writing mods for the game and/or running large modded servers for it. In addition, since the public also seems to be into demanding free lifelong updates, there is really very little room for long-term revenues for Mojang from anyone who has already bought the game. It seems to me that it is the "community" that will effectively drive Mojang out of business in the long run as new sales of the game itself naturally decline and fewer and fewer new sources of Minecraft-related revenues open up.
Judging from the discussion going on in the News section, there really isn't much hope that the PC players will support a Minecraft run by Microsoft regardless of whether or not they decide to let the community to mod the PC Edition... AND they probably wouldn't support Microsoft even if Microsoft did a 180 on their previous philosophy and started to allow some form of limited modding on the consoles. IMO, it's a lot of money for Microsoft to risk just to drive Sony out of having their own servers.
Maybe the movie rights are what make this deal worthwhile for Microsoft?
Good thoughts.
Since Notch hasn't been involved with MC in a while, and he has appeared more than willing to cash out, it seems to me that as soon as someone met his price, he's outta here. The question was, who's it gonna be? MS may have been willing to put up that kind of money to not only get MC, but keep Sony from getting it (and shutting MS out). It's a win/win for MS, and a lose/lose for Sony.
MS can easily afford it, Sony...meh. (Until the ps4, Sony was losing money... except for the 3DS).
MS makes their own operating system and applications, Sony doesn't.
Of the two companies, MS is more capable of handling MC than Sony is.
Another thought- I don't think the Android/IOS people have to worry. MS already writes some of it's applications for them (ie, Office).
I seriously hope nobody buys out Minecraft. It's our minecraft, not cashcooperatecraft..
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I seriously hope nobody buys out Minecraft. It's our minecraft, not cashcooperatecraft..
Sorry, you're deluded. It's never been "our Minecraft." The basic game has always been owned by Mojang. Mod writers keep the rights to their mods only because Mojang has agreed to let them keep them (under the EULA), but they've never granted the mod writers the rights to the game itself. Also, this deal is for the company itself. If Mojang's shareholders (of which there are apparently only 3) want to sell out to anyone, they have every right to do so. Most likely the deal is actually for Notch's shares in the company (and since he is likely the majority shareholder, that would transfer control of the company over to whoever buys his shares). As stated previously, the purchaser could decide to just let the company run independently of any of their other holdings... or on the other side of the coin, they could decide to completely absorb the company (and all of it's assets) into their own... or any degree in between. Being a publicly traded company, Microsoft is more "ours" than Mojang.
Good thoughts.
Since Notch hasn't been involved with MC in a while, and he has appeared more than willing to cash out, it seems to me that as soon as someone met his price, he's outta here. The question was, who's it gonna be? MS may have been willing to put up that kind of money to not only get MC, but keep Sony from getting it (and shutting MS out). It's a win/win for MS, and a lose/lose for Sony.
MS can easily afford it, Sony...meh. (Until the ps4, Sony was losing money... except for the 3DS).
MS makes their own operating system and applications, Sony doesn't.
Of the two companies, MS is more capable of handling MC than Sony is.
Another thought- I don't think the Android/IOS people have to worry. MS already writes some of it's applications for them (ie, Office).
I agree. Still stunned at the price; but I agree with your logic. Hopefully, Microsoft can turn a profit on it... don't want the share value to suffer.;)
Strong possibility; but Microsoft could pull a 180 and this may mean a more open console environment in the long run. Whichever way Microsoft turns with this... it's gonna be an interesting ride, I think.
"Jake groaned and rolled onto his side."
The Master Roleplayer was born...
You know who found that interesting?
* MC2? Bring it on.... now! Bout time!
* What if Sony was buying MC? Do you think Sony would keep MC going (and provide updates) for MS consoles?
IF this happens, I think Urban's take is as good as any. (Who knows, really?)
But if you own a Sony console- well, let the whining begin.
Anyway, it will be very interesting to see what happens here. Maybe if Microsoft buys it, the Xbox edition will get a lot more attention and features.
4J Studios are the developers, but that doesn't mean that the development occurs independent of Mojang. 4J Studios was contracted by Mojang to port Minecraft onto the Xbox; and I'm quite sure that, in so doing, they (i.e. Mojang) retained a say in what 4J could and could not do regarding development of the console edition.. At Minecon 2012, the situation was described as a "partnership" among Mojang, Microsoft, and 4J Studios. Microsoft buying Mojang will have an impact... It could mean that 4J gets "removed" as the developer of the game and whole thing gets pulled into Microsoft. Conversely, Microsoft could also keep Mojang merely as an independent holding and allow it to operate much as it has in the past. IGN has an article discussing the various possibilities.
I was not aware of that thread when I opened this one. However, since this is in the Xbox section of the forums, I would expect discussion here to take on a different perspective than the PC players are discussing. For example, a good question is indeed how might this affect 4J Studios and future updates of the console edition.
I believe that if Sony purchased Minecraft they would provide updates for Microsoft however it would be for a substantial price.
I'm hoping that if the deal does go through, Microsoft decide to keep Sony involved and continue with the updates for for Playstation edition. This is not because I am a Sony fan but because I think it's only fair that they purchased the game just like Xbox users and are entitled the updates just like the rest of us.
* True, Sony people purchased the game. It won't stop working. Sony people can play their version as long as their console still works. But "entitled" to updates? No. Updates (for any version) isn't a "right"- they're given freely to us out of Mojang's/4J's good will.
Read the Terms of Service (EULA), Upgrades:
"We might make upgrades and updates available from time to time, but we don‘t have to. We are also not obliged to provide ongoing support or maintenance of any Game. Of course, we hope to continue to release new updates for our Game, we just can‘t guarantee that we will do so."
I would think that IF (it's still a big if) MS buys MC, there will be continued updates, DLC, etc..... just not for Sony people. Hopefully MS kinda leaves it alone (doesn't upset the cart) and lets it carry on like it has.
But 4J's job will get a lot easier!
Notch himself tweeted on June 17, 2014: "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig."
And on December 18, 2012: "Anyway, my price is two billion dollars. Give me two billion dollars, and I'll endorse your crap."
http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/09/11/microsoft-buying-minecraft-wont-somebody-think-of-the-children/
So he's not worried about anybody- much less Sony people.
We're talking 2 billion dollars here.
That's 2,000 million!
I wouldn't blame him!
Good point Geneo... I wouldn't blame Notch for selling either... the reaction to the new EULA has just been brutal.
What confuses me is why Microsoft would be willing to pay that much for a company that is essentially a 1 hit wonder that is notoriously based on community involvement (which is something Microsoft has historically resisted) and when the redraft of the EULA has already essentially decimated that same community spirit. Maybe I'm short sighted, but I don't think I would be willing to pay that much for a game that may have already "jumped the shark" and continues on the PC really only because the public enjoys writing mods for the game and/or running large modded servers for it. In addition, since the public also seems to be into demanding free lifelong updates, there is really very little room for long-term revenues for Mojang from anyone who has already bought the game. It seems to me that it is the "community" that will effectively drive Mojang out of business in the long run as new sales of the game itself naturally decline and fewer and fewer new sources of Minecraft-related revenues open up.
Judging from the discussion going on in the News section, there really isn't much hope that the PC players will support a Minecraft run by Microsoft regardless of whether or not they decide to let the community to mod the PC Edition... AND they probably wouldn't support Microsoft even if Microsoft did a 180 on their previous philosophy and started to allow some form of limited modding on the consoles. IMO, it's a lot of money for Microsoft to risk just to drive Sony out of having their own servers.
Maybe the movie rights are what make this deal worthwhile for Microsoft?
Since Notch hasn't been involved with MC in a while, and he has appeared more than willing to cash out, it seems to me that as soon as someone met his price, he's outta here. The question was, who's it gonna be? MS may have been willing to put up that kind of money to not only get MC, but keep Sony from getting it (and shutting MS out). It's a win/win for MS, and a lose/lose for Sony.
MS can easily afford it, Sony...meh. (Until the ps4, Sony was losing money... except for the 3DS).
MS makes their own operating system and applications, Sony doesn't.
Of the two companies, MS is more capable of handling MC than Sony is.
Another thought- I don't think the Android/IOS people have to worry. MS already writes some of it's applications for them (ie, Office).
Click on this spoiler to see mods and ideas that I support!
Sorry, you're deluded. It's never been "our Minecraft." The basic game has always been owned by Mojang. Mod writers keep the rights to their mods only because Mojang has agreed to let them keep them (under the EULA), but they've never granted the mod writers the rights to the game itself. Also, this deal is for the company itself. If Mojang's shareholders (of which there are apparently only 3) want to sell out to anyone, they have every right to do so. Most likely the deal is actually for Notch's shares in the company (and since he is likely the majority shareholder, that would transfer control of the company over to whoever buys his shares). As stated previously, the purchaser could decide to just let the company run independently of any of their other holdings... or on the other side of the coin, they could decide to completely absorb the company (and all of it's assets) into their own... or any degree in between. Being a publicly traded company, Microsoft is more "ours" than Mojang.
I agree. Still stunned at the price; but I agree with your logic. Hopefully, Microsoft can turn a profit on it... don't want the share value to suffer.;)