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.