The IWG Games Team
Microsoft created some controversial waves last month when they announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be a 'holiday exclusive' for Xbox One when it releases in Christmas 2015. At first the announcement received a mixed reaction, but eventually the company gave in and revealed that the exclusivity of the title was timed (and that the game would eventually see the expected multiple platform release). That puts Microsoft toe-to-toe with Sony once again, only Sony have Uncharted 4: A Thief's End in the wings, which is a complete exclusive (since Sony owns the developer Naughty Dog). So to get ahead, Microsoft certainly need to get some more exclusives. Halo and Gears of War simply won't cut it anymore.
Microsoft created some controversial waves last month when they announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be a 'holiday exclusive' for Xbox One when it releases in Christmas 2015. At first the announcement received a mixed reaction, but eventually the company gave in and revealed that the exclusivity of the title was timed (and that the game would eventually see the expected multiple platform release). That puts Microsoft toe-to-toe with Sony once again, only Sony have Uncharted 4: A Thief's End in the wings, which is a complete exclusive (since Sony owns the developer Naughty Dog). So to get ahead, Microsoft certainly need to get some more exclusives. Halo and Gears of War simply won't cut it anymore.
Microsoft might be about to make a serious move in the battle to gain more exclusives against its rivals. Reports suggest that Microsoft has its eyes (and a $2 billion dollar pay-cheque) directed firmly at Mojang, the indie developer which achieved international fame when it released Minecraft a few years ago for the PC.
Since its launch Minecraft has spread across the world like wild fire, with gamers flocking to take part in the blocky, simplistic virtual world unique in that it does not have a traditional storyline, or much of a storyline at all, and it simply requires you to use your imagination in terms of what you can build using the resources it presents you with. The game is popular for this reason, and for the fact that each world generated is completely distinct for that player. There are different mountains, different oceans, different elements and different possibilities waiting in each new world. You can bet that any acquisition of Mojang will cause a backlash from Minecraft fans, especially as the game's fan-base now runs far and wide on every platform imaginable (even iPads!). But this isn't the first time Microsoft have made a move on a much beloved company.
Console war veterans will be eerily familiar with the tale of Rare Ltd. The developer which had been made famous by its world-renowned contributions to the Nintendo 64 era, including such classics as GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark and Conker's Bad Fur Day. However the company was purchased in 2002 by Microsoft and from then on was made to develop games solely for Microsoft's original Xbox system, but the move also saw Rare lose much of its fan base (who had stuck with Nintendo), thus the company never achieved the same success again.
We can only hope that, should Microsoft move forward on this plan, Minecraft will still be as know and love it today with its core gameplay and mechanics thoroughly unchanged. A report from Kotaku indicates that Notch, the creator of both Minecraft and Mojang, will most likely not stay with the company should the purchase go ahead. However, the potential that a possible Minecraft 2 has as an exclusive for Xbox One could be disastrous for both Nintendo and Sony.
Since its launch Minecraft has spread across the world like wild fire, with gamers flocking to take part in the blocky, simplistic virtual world unique in that it does not have a traditional storyline, or much of a storyline at all, and it simply requires you to use your imagination in terms of what you can build using the resources it presents you with. The game is popular for this reason, and for the fact that each world generated is completely distinct for that player. There are different mountains, different oceans, different elements and different possibilities waiting in each new world. You can bet that any acquisition of Mojang will cause a backlash from Minecraft fans, especially as the game's fan-base now runs far and wide on every platform imaginable (even iPads!). But this isn't the first time Microsoft have made a move on a much beloved company.
Console war veterans will be eerily familiar with the tale of Rare Ltd. The developer which had been made famous by its world-renowned contributions to the Nintendo 64 era, including such classics as GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark and Conker's Bad Fur Day. However the company was purchased in 2002 by Microsoft and from then on was made to develop games solely for Microsoft's original Xbox system, but the move also saw Rare lose much of its fan base (who had stuck with Nintendo), thus the company never achieved the same success again.
We can only hope that, should Microsoft move forward on this plan, Minecraft will still be as know and love it today with its core gameplay and mechanics thoroughly unchanged. A report from Kotaku indicates that Notch, the creator of both Minecraft and Mojang, will most likely not stay with the company should the purchase go ahead. However, the potential that a possible Minecraft 2 has as an exclusive for Xbox One could be disastrous for both Nintendo and Sony.
SssssssssSSSsssssssssssSSS .... BOOM.
Whilst buying Mojang would certainly be lucrative for Microsoft and the Xbox One, one thing we can all agree on is that Mojang (unlike Rare) should be given free creative reign to pursue and develop their projects as they see fit. The worst thing Microsoft can do is franchise Minecraft and milk it for all it's worth.
Either way, big things might be happening.
Would you like to see this transaction happen? Or would you rather Mojang remain separate? Let us know in the comments below, or come find us on Twitter or Facebook!
Either way, big things might be happening.
Would you like to see this transaction happen? Or would you rather Mojang remain separate? Let us know in the comments below, or come find us on Twitter or Facebook!
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