Microsoft is reportedly in discussions about paying $2 billion to buy Swedish video game developer Mojang, the creator of the hit videogame Minecraft.
People with knowledge of the discussions said on Tuesday that the Remond, Wash.-based tech giant is looking to make sure that fans can access the game on their biggest platforms, according to The New York Times. One of the people, who asked to remain anonymous, said that details still need to be worked out and that there is a possibility that the acquisition may not work out.
Markus Persson, co-founder of Mojang, has been against selling the company and receiving outside investment. Persson, a programmer and game designer, is also known by his gamer name, Notch.
Minecraft was initially released in 2009 and has gained popularity for allowing players to build anything they want, The Wall Street Journal reported. The game is set in a blocky, Lego-styled word that includes zombies and other enemies for players to fight.
Mojang has sold more than 50 million copies of Minecraft since its debut. The game, along with merchandise, brought in $100 million for the company last year. Fans can currently play Minecraft on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PCs and smartphones.
One of the sources said Microsoft first approached Mojang about three months ago about buying the company, The New York Times reported. Both companies would later have more serious discussions, with Mojang hiring more advisors last month for the talks.
The person added that the discussions are still going on and that the companies could reach an agreement by the end of the month.
Microsoft's purchase of Mojang would be its first acquisition under Satya Nadella, who became the company's CEO in February, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The potential deal comes as Minecraft begins to spread into other areas, such as education, with its school edition that teaches children architecture, languages and other subjects. Mojang has also signed a licensing deal with Warner Bros. to make a feature film based on the game.
