Why pay Microsoft 2.5 billion for a Lego game? – NRC Q

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Why did Microsoft 2.5 billion dollars (1.9 billion euros) on the Swedish software developer Mojang

Mojang became familiar with the popular PC game Minecraft, the digital version? Lego: players build objects in a virtual world, and have used square blocks & hellip;

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Why did Microsoft 2.5 billion dollars (1.9 billion euros) on the Swedish software maker Mojang.?

Mojang became familiar with the popular PC game Minecraft, the digital version of Lego: players build objects in a virtual world, and have used square blocks. They create their own world.

It is not the first time that Microsoft has a game company takes over in the past, bought it include Lionhead Studios (2006) and Rare (2002). But $ 2.5 billion is a lot of money for a company with about 40 employees. What are the reasons for the purchase?

1. Minecraft is a keeper

In the game world, the trends change rapidly. One moment everyone is playing Farmville, the next moment Flappy Bird’s favorite. But Minecraft has a solid fan base. But there are a few titles that score well for years. See the success of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Clash of Clans, League of Legends). In that group Minecraft past:. A game with a huge loyal community, which continues to grow

It is a game that is often a lot and played for years, especially by young children. It is used in classrooms all over the world. Hence the comparison with Lego, the Danish toy with an educational twist.

2. Microsoft needs a boost

So far there are 54 million copies of Minecraft sold and a total of 100 million people play Minecraft, especially on mobile phones and tablets. The software stores of Apple and Google Android is a big hit, but there are also versions for Xbox and PlayStation.

Minecraft works on every conceivable computing platform except Windows Phone from Microsoft. According to the creators of Minecraft Windows Phone is too small (less than 3 percent share of the smartphone market) to make effort to stabbing. Think so many app developers about it – and why Microsoft does everything to convince them to the contrary. For example, by sponsoring the development of apps or – as now – pulling the purse and buy a huge amount of the most popular mobile app of the moment

At the same time fits Minecraft – a game. Largely through servers played – well with Microsoft’s Xbox platform. The new console, the Xbox One, relies heavily on the online experience. The Minecraft community would be able to play their game. Variety of devices via a Microsoft account So let Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella young users acquainted with the Microsoft environment.

3. A foreign company is fiscally useful

In addition, it is not bad that Mojang is a Swedish company. For example, Microsoft could use its foreign cash reserves that can be. Not transferred to the United States because of tax reasons The Finnish Nokia – Microsoft’s last major purchase of $ 7.2 billion – was a foreign takeover

Nokia was largely dismantled after the takeover

The Swedish developer Markus Persson, nickname <. em> Notch , is the creator of Minecraft. He will leave the company, along with several others. Most Mojang employees continue to work under Microsoft flag

Microsoft made this summer a reorganization announced that 18,000 jobs will cost -. 14 percent of the 127,000 employees. This is mainly at the expense of Nokia employees which are incorporated in February. Microsoft is considering no longer be used for its mobile phones. Nokia brand The term ‘Phone’ could disappear as a symbol for the intended merger of the fixed and mobile versions of Windows.

With the cooperation of Niels’ t Hooft and David Nieborg the name Windows Phone