Table of Contents
Who this is for: Gaming enthusiasts, Minecraft fans, and anyone curious about indie game development success stories.
Ready to jump in? Play minecraft games and start building your own blocky adventures right in your browser!
Play free games on Playgama.com
Markus Persson: The Mind Behind Minecraft
Minecraft was created by Swedish programmer Markus Persson, better known by his online handle “Notch.” Born in 1979, Persson began developing what would become the world’s best-selling video game in May 2009 as a personal project inspired by games like Dwarf Fortress and Infiniminer.
From Bedroom Project to Global Phenomenon
Working from his apartment in Stockholm, Persson initially developed Minecraft in Java as an indie game. The early alpha version was released in May 2009, featuring the core block-building mechanics that would define the franchise. What started as a simple construction game quickly evolved into something much more ambitious.
The game’s development was remarkably transparent. Persson regularly shared updates with the growing community, incorporating player feedback and suggestions. This open development approach helped build a passionate fanbase even before the game’s official release.
Mojang Studios and Microsoft’s Acquisition
As Minecraft’s popularity exploded, Persson founded Mojang Studios in 2010 to handle the game’s continued development and business operations. The small Swedish studio became the official home of Minecraft, with Persson leading development alongside a growing team of programmers and designers.
In September 2014, Microsoft acquired Mojang Studios for $2.5 billion, making it one of the largest gaming acquisitions in history. Persson stepped away from active development following the acquisition, but his creative vision continues to influence the game’s evolution under Microsoft’s ownership.
The Development Team Today
While Persson created the original concept and core mechanics, Minecraft’s ongoing development involves hundreds of developers, artists, and designers at Mojang Studios. The current development team regularly releases updates that add new features, blocks, creatures, and gameplay mechanics while staying true to Persson’s original vision of creative freedom and exploration.
Key contributors over the years have included Jens Bergensten, who took over as lead developer, and Carl Manneh, who served as CEO during Mojang’s independent years. The collaborative effort has transformed Minecraft from a solo project into a platform that continues to inspire millions of players worldwide.
Understanding Minecraft’s origins helps appreciate how one developer’s creative vision became a cultural phenomenon that spans generations, and you can experience that same creative spirit by exploring various Minecraft-inspired adventures available today.
TL;DR
Minecraft was created by Swedish programmer Markus Persson (Notch) in 2009, later developed by Mojang Studios until Microsoft’s 2014 acquisition.
