Recently a rumor has been going around that Microsoft plans to purchase Mojang for $2 billion dollars very soon. But what exactly would that mean? Would Microsoft improve Minecraft, or simply milk it for every penny it's worth? Here's our predictions.
While Minecraft is written in Java and is cross-platform and portable for the most part, it still uses libraries like LWJGL that tap into direct system resources. If Microsoft decides that maintaining Linux support is too much effort, they may drop support for it all together. When Skype was purchased by Microsoft, they maintained (but no longer developed new features for) the Linux version. It's unlikely the Mac version would be discontinued, as Mac has a substantial amount of users and almost all of Microsoft's software is available on Mac.
What if Microsoft moved Minecraft away from Java altogether? It's very possible Microsoft could just move Minecraft to another programming language. Java is fairly easy to de-compile (aka look at the source code for), so modders could make their own versions of Minecraft (even though they would get sued for it). Microsoft wouldn't be a fan of developers modifying their games. If Minecraft is moved to another language, modding would be very hard, if not impossible. It would undoubtedly spell the end of modifying Minecraft on the PC.
Why would Microsoft want to purchase Mojang anyways? Quite simply, because they value Minecraft as a game for Windows and Xbox. If Microsoft purchases Mojang, it's possible they could take development out of 4J Studios' hands (the company that Mojang hires to develop Minecraft for consoles) and develop it in-house at Microsoft Studios. If this happens, and they don't shut down development of the PS4/PS3/Vita Editions, it would be the first time Microsoft Studios has made games on those platforms.
The best explanation for why Minecraft development, especially on consoles, is so slow is because Mojang and 4J Studios are small companies. Mojang only has 40 employees 4J Studios has 18. Microsoft Studios currently has 188 employees (source), making it far bigger than both. Obviously not all of them would be working at Minecraft, and more developers doesn't always mean faster development, but it's still interesting to note. For example, the console versions of Minecraft could potentially catch up with PC Edition. That is assuming they take console development from 4J Studios.
Just because Microsoft buys Mojang, doesn't mean they will make any substantial changes to the company. It's possible they will just want the company as an additional item on their portfolio of companies they have acquired (like Skype), or gain rights to make Minecraft merchandise/other media. Mojang has a good thing going, no need for Microsoft to switch anything up.
Let us know what you think could happen in the comments below.
1. Minecraft for Linux could be in danger
While Minecraft is written in Java and is cross-platform and portable for the most part, it still uses libraries like LWJGL that tap into direct system resources. If Microsoft decides that maintaining Linux support is too much effort, they may drop support for it all together. When Skype was purchased by Microsoft, they maintained (but no longer developed new features for) the Linux version. It's unlikely the Mac version would be discontinued, as Mac has a substantial amount of users and almost all of Microsoft's software is available on Mac.
2. Minecraft could move away from Java
What if Microsoft moved Minecraft away from Java altogether? It's very possible Microsoft could just move Minecraft to another programming language. Java is fairly easy to de-compile (aka look at the source code for), so modders could make their own versions of Minecraft (even though they would get sued for it). Microsoft wouldn't be a fan of developers modifying their games. If Minecraft is moved to another language, modding would be very hard, if not impossible. It would undoubtedly spell the end of modifying Minecraft on the PC.
3. Minecraft for consoles could be taken in-house
Why would Microsoft want to purchase Mojang anyways? Quite simply, because they value Minecraft as a game for Windows and Xbox. If Microsoft purchases Mojang, it's possible they could take development out of 4J Studios' hands (the company that Mojang hires to develop Minecraft for consoles) and develop it in-house at Microsoft Studios. If this happens, and they don't shut down development of the PS4/PS3/Vita Editions, it would be the first time Microsoft Studios has made games on those platforms.
4. Minecraft development could be quicker
The best explanation for why Minecraft development, especially on consoles, is so slow is because Mojang and 4J Studios are small companies. Mojang only has 40 employees 4J Studios has 18. Microsoft Studios currently has 188 employees (source), making it far bigger than both. Obviously not all of them would be working at Minecraft, and more developers doesn't always mean faster development, but it's still interesting to note. For example, the console versions of Minecraft could potentially catch up with PC Edition. That is assuming they take console development from 4J Studios.
5. Nothing at all
Just because Microsoft buys Mojang, doesn't mean they will make any substantial changes to the company. It's possible they will just want the company as an additional item on their portfolio of companies they have acquired (like Skype), or gain rights to make Minecraft merchandise/other media. Mojang has a good thing going, no need for Microsoft to switch anything up.
Let us know what you think could happen in the comments below.
Microsoft is pretty stupid thinking that they can buy Mojang. They should stop sticking their noses in everyone's business to rip them off and take their money. Stick with windows, Microsoft.
ReplyDeletesection 3 line 2 u say " If Mojang purchases Mojang" it should be "if Microsoft"
ReplyDeleteof course mojang will purchase itself!
ReplyDeleteFixed :)
ReplyDeleteActually, Notch approached Microsoft looking to sell it.
ReplyDeleteActually no one knows which.
ReplyDelete#1 is what worries me the most. If Microsoft DOES buy Mojang, we can say goodbye to anything but a Windows 8 app. -_-
ReplyDeleteMicrosoft will shut down PlayStation versions and have millions of angry fans to take care of. Besides, Mojang makes 2 billion in about a years work.
ReplyDeleteI'm most worried about Minecraft moving away from java, no more modding! Also what would become of Minecraft servers? It would be hard on many big servers using the Minecraft forge server software or other server modding programs. However Mojang might not want to sell at all because they just recently took over the bukkit project and (depending on what Microsoft intends to do) could kill bukkit as well as all the big servers out there, ruining there plans for their mod api. This makes me think that Microsoft probably approached Mojang and offered to buy. One reason Mojang might want to sell is this, Mojang is running out of ideas for Minecraft development, don't get me wrong I think there are still tons of good ideas of things that could be added to the game, however think to two years in the future, Mojang might have nothing left to add to Minecraft resulting in loss of popularity there for loss of sales and then loss of money. So it might be worth it to Mojang to sell, so we will just have to wait and see what comes next.
ReplyDeleteIf this happens, I'll simply just quit Minecraft. Microsoft has done so many bad things, it is not even funny. They messed up windows by trying to get MORE money with Windows live, and even got rid of or swapped all the features, ruining all traces of the origin of it. Look back at windows 3.0, for example, people loved it. It was (somewhat, at the time) easy to use, and original. It makes me cry when I think of how much it's changed. they took a swing at making an Xbox, which is not at all entertainment. It is a way to get money, with Xbox LIVE, Games that cant be done without purchases, and even designing the Xbox to break, right after the warranty expires. i'm afraid that if the buyout Minecraft, it will be the end as we know it, without having to spend in app purchases, or some other tactic to get more dough.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I really want to see is that cross platform compatibility, whether if the deal comes or not. I really would like to have the ability to play mcsg on a nice 7 in tablet, or enjoy some blockhunt on the hive on my xbox. And possibly more skin choices like the xbox platform.
ReplyDeleteThe game is now officially bought :/
ReplyDeleteIf would Microsoft change the programmimg language from Java, I'd say they'll use .NET (C# or VisualBasic). While C# is very very very similar to Java, they can reprogram it quickly and mod support isn't completly lost. They can make an interface and modding would be easier than it's now! I personaly like C# more than Java, so I'd be happy.
ReplyDeleteI think they are going to make Minecraft into what happened to Plants vs Zombies 2. Make you pay for in- app purchases. And ruin the old launcher. And all of my good stuff is on Linux. Gulp.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not true. They didn't spend $2.5 billion to completely ruin it, they know the community will be unhappy if they do something like that. They have already said they won't change the policy on making money from YouTube videos of Minecraft, for example.
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