Activision Almost Bought Minecraft for $1.5 Billion in 2014
Bobby Kotick revealed Activision's 2014 attempt to purchase Minecraft from Mojang for $1.5 billion, ultimately lost to Microsoft's $2.5 billion offer.
Activision nearly acquired Mojang and Minecraft in 2014 for $1.5 billion, as revealed by former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.
Key facts
- Activision offered Mojang $1.5 billion in 2014 to purchase Minecraft.
- Bobby Kotick spent five days in Stockholm negotiating the deal.
- Markus 'Notch' Persson, Mojang's creator, was considering quitting.
- Microsoft ultimately acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion.
- Minecraft has been under Microsoft's ownership for over ten years.
Kotick explained that Notch was planning to leave Mojang along with some leadership, raising concerns about managing a smaller company. Despite Activision's interest, Microsoft, led by Phil Spencer, successfully secured the acquisition with a $2.5 billion offer.
Impact / What's next
Under Microsoft's ownership, Minecraft has expanded significantly over the last decade. Matt Booty, praised by Kotick, has overseen the game's development since the acquisition. As Minecraft continues to grow, its transition from an indie favorite to a major Microsoft title marks a crucial chapter in gaming history. With Activision out of the picture, Minecraft remains a cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming ecosystem.