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Who this is for: Gamers curious about Minecraft’s corporate ownership and anyone interested in major gaming industry acquisitions.
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Microsoft Owns Minecraft Through Mojang Studios
Microsoft Corporation is the current owner of Minecraft as of 2023. The tech giant acquired the game through its $2.5 billion purchase of Mojang Studios (originally called Mojang AB) in September 2014, making it one of the largest gaming acquisitions in history at that time.
The Ownership Structure
While Microsoft holds ultimate ownership, the day-to-day development and management of Minecraft remains under Mojang Studios, which operates as a subsidiary. This structure allows the original creative team to maintain their development philosophy while benefiting from Microsoft’s resources and global reach.
What Changed After the Acquisition
The Microsoft acquisition brought several significant changes:
- Account Migration: Players gradually migrated from Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts for enhanced security and cross-platform features
- Expanded Platforms: Minecraft became available across more Microsoft ecosystems, including Xbox Game Pass
- Educational Focus: Microsoft developed Minecraft Education Edition, leveraging the game for classroom learning
- Cross-Platform Play: Better integration between different gaming platforms and devices
Mojang Studios Today
Mojang Studios continues to operate from Stockholm, Sweden, maintaining its creative independence while reporting to Microsoft’s gaming division. The studio handles all Minecraft updates, new features, and community engagement, ensuring the game’s distinctive character remains intact.
Financial Impact
The acquisition has proven highly successful for Microsoft. Minecraft has generated billions in revenue through game sales, merchandise, licensing deals, and subscription services. The game consistently ranks among the best-selling video games of all time, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide.
Understanding Minecraft’s ownership helps explain the game’s continued evolution and expansion across multiple platforms, making it accessible to players who want to explore this creative sandbox universe.
TL;DR
Microsoft owns Minecraft through its 2014 acquisition of Mojang Studios for $2.5 billion. Mojang continues developing the game as a Microsoft subsidiary.
