Mojang Selling Out

[owsf2000]

That subject probably says it a bit more harsher than I really intend it but no matter how I try to word it, it's all the same.

Apparently Microsoft is close to closing a deal to buy Mojang for 2 billion.

Apparently this has been in the works for a few weeks now. That's long enough to cover the whole bukkit shakedown and the GPL DMCAing going on for bukkit to help ensure it comes to a halt. I wonder if these guys knew about the deal... And I wonder if that's the main reason for the sudden intention for Mojang to start enforcing the eula.

So I guess I'll make a few predictions.

1. Minecraft popularity will likely begin a headlong crash.

2. There will probably be a move away from java into windows-specific programs.

3. I will start to become more productive again as my interest in the game starts to dwindle with the loss of bukkit plugins and a large, diverse plugin/mod community.

In all honesty I see a major clampdown on all mods and plugins in the future.

Regardless of their other games, Mojang is basically Minecraft. They're shooting themselves in the foot in the long run (Some ACs on Slashdot appear to be claiming to be on the inside, thus posting as AC, and seem to indicate that the devs are basically being let go when this goes through. Something about Microsoft not being interested in amateur indie java programmers.)

Oh well. 2 Billion for Notch and a couple others. I hope Notch plans on retirement because I honestly don't think he'll be able to repeat this kind of success or even produce anything to hold a candle to it.

Comments

[kane-magus.livejournal.com]

Just about the only good thing I can say about this is: "At least it's not EA that's buying them." But then, that's kind of like saying it's better for someone to piss up your nose than to shit up it. The end result will essentially be identical, i.e. the death of Mojang and the destruction/whoring out of Minecraft into a soulless husk of its former self, so when all is said and done it really won't matter either way, I guess.

[kane-magus.livejournal.com]

"If Microsoft Buys Mojang, Notch is 'Unlikely' to Remain at Company" (http://nichegamer.net/2014/09/if-microsoft-buys-mojang-notch-is-unlikely-to-remain-at-company/)

I wonder if that's because he'd be leaving of his own accord, or because they'd be kicking him to the curb.

[kane-magus.livejournal.com]

Got into a drunk argument with @Bopogamel (https://twitter.com/Bopogamel) about at what price I would sell out, and @PoiPoiChen (https://twitter.com/PoiPoiChen) got a bit worried.

— Markus Persson (@notch) December 18, 2012 (https://twitter.com/notch/status/281139274051633154)

Anyway, my price is two billion dollars. Give me two billion dollars, and I'll endorse your crap.

— Markus Persson (@notch) December 18, 2012 (https://twitter.com/notch/status/281139739304800256)

[kane-magus.livejournal.com]

In any case, I expect a Notch blog (http://notch.net/) post to come relatively soon, in which I predict he will do either one of two things. He'll either be super conciliatory and faux apologetic, hemming and hawing about how this is actually somehow a good thing. Or he'll just straight up don the black hat entirely and tell everyone to fuck right off, he's got his. At this point, I'm honestly not sure which will be more likely.