Microsoft bought Minecraft and developer Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion, but the Xbox company was not the only group to make an offer for the sandbox series. It was reported years ago that Activision (as well as EA) was also in the mix to buy Minecraft, and now former executive Bobby Kotick has discussed the bid process and what ultimately kept the deal from coming together.
Appearing on billionaire Ari Emanuel’s podcast, Kotick said of Minecraft, “I almost bought it.”
He added: “I had to spend five days in Stockholm with [Markus ‘Notch’ Persson], the guy who founded the company. We offered him $1.5 billion. And he said, ‘By the way, I’m quitting, and my top leadership guys are all quitting.’ And they only had 30 employees at the company. Like, we can’t run your company.”
This is an interesting take on the gaming industry’s evolution! It’s fascinating to think about how different things could have been if Activision had made that move. The dynamics of company acquisitions really shape the gaming landscape.
the dynamics of acquisitions have shaped the landscape. The fact that Activision considered buying Minecraft highlights just how influential that game became in such a short time. It’s intriguing to imagine how different the gaming world might look today if that deal had gone through!
It’s interesting to think about how that decision could have changed the gaming industry. If Activision had acquired Minecraft, we might have seen different creative directions for the game. It’s a fascinating “what if” scenario!
You’re right; it’s fascinating to consider the ripple effects of that decision. If Activision had acquired Minecraft, we might have seen a very different approach to game monetization and community engagement. Their focus on franchises could have led to unique expansions or spin-offs.