Yes, Microsoft did Buy Minecraft, Here's Why

There has been a lot of rage on the internet about Microsoft’s purchase of Minecraft—and don’t pretend to not know what I’m talking about, the rumors have been circulating for days and even before the official announcement (which was today) both parties pretty much confirmed it was an actual thing.  The idea that Mojang, a little indie developer with big dreams, would “sell out” has been a blow against the dreams of gamers and developers even though—let’s be honest—there’s not a lot any of us wouldn’t do for 2.5 billion dollars.   I would murder my own father for 2.5 billion dollars. 

While Microsoft’s press release has been fairly standard—praising Minecraft and Mojang and talking about how great it is they’ll be working for Microsoft—the more interesting response to the whole controversy has come from Mojang and its founder, Notch.  With the purchase of Mojang, Notch, Carl, and Jacob, the three founders of the company, will be leaving to do their own things… which makes this the official “Divorce” between Notch and his multi-billion dollar baby.

And the reason he sold the company and surrendered the rights to Minecraft wasn’t actually out of greed or to betray his public, as many people have feared: Notch was overwhelmed and is honestly not interested in being the icon people wanted him to be.

On his personal blog, Notch explained the sale in some very human terms:

“I don't see myself as a real game developer. I make games because it's fun, and because I love games and I love to program, but I don't make games with the intention of them becoming huge hits, and I don't try to change the world. Minecraft certainly became a huge hit, and people are telling me it's changed games. I never meant for it to do either. It's certainly flattering, and to gradually get thrust into some kind of public spotlight is interesting.

“I was at home with a bad cold a couple of weeks ago when the internet exploded with hate against me over some kind of EULA situation that I had nothing to do with. I was confused. I didn't understand. I tweeted this in frustration. Later on, I watched the This is Phil Fish video on YouTube and started to realize I didn't have the connection to my fans I thought I had. I've become a symbol. I don't want to be a symbol, responsible for something huge that I don't understand, that I don't want to work on, that keeps coming back to me. I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a CEO. I'm a nerdy computer programmer who likes to have opinions on Twitter.

“As soon as this deal is finalized, I will leave Mojang and go back to doing Ludum Dares and small web experiments. If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I'll probably abandon it immediately.

“I love you. All of you. Thank you for turning Minecraft into what it has become, but there are too many of you, and I can't be responsible for something this big. In one sense, it belongs to Microsoft now. In a much bigger sense, it's belonged to all of you for a long time, and that will never change.”

So he’s pulling a Phil Fish, except instead of leaving out of anger and frustration he’s simply tired of all the attention.  It’s hard to blame him for that, and heck, he could retire comfortably with all the money he’s earned from Minecraft and Microsoft right now, so who can begrudge him a comfortable life doing what he loves without all the stress of owning the biggest indie game of all time?

Besides… maybe he’ll miss the spotlight and return to his people once more…. well, we can always dream, right?  In the meantime, the one and only Minecraft is in Microsoft’s hands…