What if Notch never sold Minecraft?
Minecraft is one of the most popular and influential video games of all time, with over 200 million copies sold and 126 million monthly active users as of 2020. The game was created by Markus “Notch” Persson, a Swedish programmer who started working on it in 2009 as a hobby project. He released the game in 2011 as an alpha version, and gradually added more features and content until it became a full-fledged sandbox game with infinite possibilities.
But what if Notch never sold Minecraft to Microsoft in 2014? What would have happened to the game and its creator? How would the world of gaming be different today? These are some of the questions that fans have been wondering about for years, and we will try to answer them in this article.
Why did Notch sell Minecraft?
Notch sold Minecraft for $6.9 million to Microsoft in March 2014, after receiving an offer from them that he could not refuse. He said that he wanted to focus on his other projects, such as Scrolls, a text-based adventure game that he was working on at the time. He also said that he was tired of being the sole developer and owner of Minecraft, and that he wanted to share his vision with a larger audience.
However, not everyone was happy with Notch’s decision. Some fans felt betrayed by him, as they had supported him since the beginning and had grown attached to his creation. They also feared that Microsoft would ruin Minecraft by adding microtransactions, ads, or other unwanted features. Some even started petitions and campaigns to stop the sale or to keep Minecraft independent.
How did Microsoft change Minecraft?
Microsoft acquired Minecraft for $2.5 billion in June 2014, making it one of the most expensive video game acquisitions ever. They announced their plans to integrate Minecraft into their Xbox Live service, which would allow players to access their worlds across different devices and platforms. They also said that they would continue to support both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition (formerly known as Windows 10 Edition), which are two versions of the game that run on different operating systems.
However, not everyone was satisfied with Microsoft’s plans either. Some fans felt that they were losing control over their own game, as they had no say in how it was developed or updated. They also worried that Microsoft would prioritize profit over quality, or that they would censor or modify some aspects of the game. Some even boycotted Microsoft’s products or services in protest.
What are some examples of how Microsoft changed Minecraft?
Microsoft has made some changes to Minecraft since acquiring it from Notch. Here are some examples:
- Cross-play: In June 2018, Microsoft announced that players could now play together across different devices and platforms using cross-play. This feature allows players on PC, console, mobile devices (including Windows 10 Mobile), VR headsets (including Oculus Rift), and even web browsers (using HTML5) to join each other’s worlds. However, this feature has been criticized by some fans for being buggy or incompatible with certain mods or servers.
- Marketplace: In October 2017, Microsoft introduced Marketplace, a system that allows players to buy official content from Mojang Studios using real money or in-game currency called Minecoins. This content includes skins (customizing your character’s appearance), texture packs (changing your world’s appearance), maps (creating custom levels), mini-games (playing fun games within the game), animations (adding motion effects), music packs (adding sound effects), books (adding lore stories), and more. However, this system has been criticized by some fans for being unfair or exploitative.
- Education: In September 2019, Microsoft launched Education Edition, a version of Minecraft designed for teachers and students who want to use it as a learning tool in schools and classrooms. This version allows teachers to create lessons using pre-made worlds or custom ones called Classrooms; students can join these classrooms using their own devices; teachers can monitor students’ progress using reports; students can earn achievements based on their learning outcomes; teachers can also access curriculum-aligned content from various sources such as Khan Academy or Code.org; students can also access additional features such as coding lessons or STEM activities. However, this version has been criticized by some fans for being too expensive or too restrictive.
What are some possible scenarios if Notch never sold Minecraft?
If Notch never sold Minecraft to Microsoft in 2014, there are many possible scenarios that could have happened instead. Here are some examples:
- Notch continues developing Minecraft: In this scenario, Notch stays involved with Minecraft as its sole developer and owner until he dies or retires from programming. He continues adding new features and content to the game at his own pace and style; he listens to feedback from players through forums or social media
- Notch sells Minecraft to someone else: In this scenario, Notch sells Minecraft to another company or individual who offers him a better deal than Microsoft. He transfers the ownership and development rights of the game to them; he may or may not stay involved with the game as a consultant or advisor; he may or may not receive royalties or profits from the game. The new owner may change the game in different ways, depending on their vision and goals; they may improve or worsen the game’s quality, popularity, or profitability. The fans may react positively or negatively to the new owner, depending on their expectations and preferences.
- Notch stops developing Minecraft: In this scenario, Notch stops working on Minecraft altogether, either voluntarily or involuntarily. He may lose interest or motivation in the game; he may face legal or personal issues that prevent him from continuing the game; he may die or disappear unexpectedly. He leaves the game as it is, without any updates or support; he may or may not release the game’s source code or assets to the public. The game may become obsolete or incompatible with newer technologies or platforms; the game may be preserved or revived by fans or modders; the game may be forgotten or remembered as a legacy.
What are some implications of Notch selling or not selling Minecraft?
Notch selling or not selling Minecraft has some implications for the game, its creator, and its fans. Here are some examples:
- For the game: The game’s development, direction, and quality may change depending on who owns and works on it. The game may gain or lose features, content, or platforms. The game may become more or less popular, profitable, or influential. The game may face more or less competition, innovation, or controversy.
- For the creator: The creator’s life, career, and reputation may change depending on what he does with the game. The creator may gain or lose money, fame, or freedom. The creator may face more or less stress, satisfaction, or responsibility. The creator may pursue more or less projects, hobbies, or interests.
- For the fans: The fans’ experience, opinion, and loyalty may change depending on how they perceive the game and its owner. The fans may enjoy or dislike the game more or less. The fans may support or oppose the game’s owner more or less. The fans may interact or collaborate with other fans more or less.
Conclusion
Minecraft is a game that has changed the world of gaming and beyond. It has inspired millions of players, creators, and educators to express their creativity, imagination, and curiosity. It has also generated billions of dollars, awards, and records for its owners and developers.
But what if Notch never sold Minecraft to Microsoft in 2014? This is a question that has no definitive answer, as there are many possible scenarios and implications that could have happened instead. However, one thing is certain: Minecraft would not be the same game that it is today. Whether that is a good or bad thing, is up to you to decide. 🤔
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