mrfe :

Sony won't remove Microsoft from their console, the backlash they'd get from users who purchased the game already would be immense. Sony can't take the PR hit.

Sony has to be pissed at Mojang though, if they weren't made aware of this impending sale before they released Minecraft on PS3.

This is pretty much the best case scenario for Microsoft, as was foreshadowed in my last post.

Penny Arcade put it very well here.

"I think that Sun Tzu would say that True Victory means being indispensable on your competitor’s platforms."

At this point, Sony can't remove Minecraft for fear of backlash. As such, Microsoft is indispensable on the PS3/4.

It's a good power move from Microsoft. If you can't win the Console War, you may as well take a shot at Sony's pride.

legacyme3 : I definitely agree. It's a brilliant move for Microsoft. My main concern is paid updates at this point. I doubt Microsoft will risk angering Minecraft's very critical fan base, so paid updates aren't a given by any means. I've also heard that Dinnerbone will stay with the project, so his influence should help ensure that Minecraft doesn't get ruined.

legacyme3 :
I think you over estimate the effect on Sony.
You assume this gives microsoft some control over sony, but in actual fact, customers would be as angry with microsoft for 'politicising' the game, so to speak.
Plus, its a successful title, they dont want to ruin it.

Plus, Sony wouldnt remove any product owned my microsoft, why would they? That makes it a console exclusive, which is damaging for consoles that dont have said titles.

This isnt new, Microsoft have been trying to branch out for years, diversify so to speak. They tried to buy Facebook multiple times,as well as several other bizzare company's and products. They even have a small stake in facebook, which is how they manage to get so much positive advertisement on the thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft

Its nothing to them, they could lose money for 5 years straight and still be fine.

thenumberone :

Where did I say Microsoft gains control on Sony? I simply said they are presently indispensable on Sony's current platforms (which they are, since Sony isn't about to remove the game and tell the people who bought it "tough s***").

People would be angry at Microsoft for the wrong reasons. Microsoft is willing to let this stay on Sony's platform and have all but said that publicly.

The ball is in Sony's proverbial court. They can accept (which they should do) or they can decline (which I think would be very very bad).

If Sony removes the game, people aren't going to say "This is Microsoft's fault for buying Mojang."

They are going to say "This is Sony's fault for being prideful." or "This is Sony's fault for not willingly working with Microsoft."

You say I overestimate the affect on Sony. I say you overestimate people in general.

legacyme3 :
Being indispensable through an owned service is a position of control. But its not one they have here.

"People would be angry at Microsoft for the wrong reasons. Microsoft is willing to let this stay on Sony's platform and have all but said that publicly."
I was saying if Microsoft removed it, customers would be annoyed. To point out that microsoft does not actually have a position of power over Sony on this.

"The ball is in Sony's proverbial court. They can accept (which they should do) or they can decline (which I think would be very very bad)."
Accept what? They dont need to do anything.

"If Sony removes the game, people aren't going to say "This is Microsoft's fault for buying Mojang." "
Im aware, thats the point im making. Neither one will act differently towards the titles on a platform basis, because it will antagonise customers. Companys spend a fortune on PR. If one annoys customers in an attempt to better there position, they then have to spend that money courting the customers back to their products.

Sony will not touch minecraft.
At all.

I am not overestimating anyone, or under estimating them. Im just dealing with the fact that both sony and Microsoft are corporate companys. They dont deal in pride, they deal in money. Neither will gain money by turning minecraft into a war zone between two console platforms.

Both are publicly listed companys too, if their own shareholders feel they are making poor choices, their company value can plummet, even if their profits dont.

thenumberone :

I think you are missing my point entirely.

"I was saying if Microsoft removed it, customers would be annoyed. To point out that microsoft does not actually have a position of power over Sony on this."

I never said in the past couple of posts that Microsoft would even consider removing it. I think the plan all along was to purchase Mojang, something that will become indispensable on Sony's platform (and you can't make the point Minecraft isn't indispensable, it's basically the game of the generation as much as we all hate the thought of that being true)

"Accept what? They dont need to do anything."

Accept that Microsoft has a popular game on their platform. They have the power to say "no" and remove Minecraft from PS3/4, but they won't do that. They don't need to, and shouldn't do anything, but they have the power to say no. It's just saying no would result in a backlash, so I don't think they could do anything if they wanted to.

"Im aware, thats the point im making. Neither one will act differently towards the titles on a platform basis, because it will antagonise customers."

Then why are you arguing this point with me? I think the difference is that I think Microsoft is in the clear at this point, because they've already basically given the go ahead for the game to continue appearing on Sony consoles. The only people yet to really comment are Sony's represenatives. At this point, Sony is in a position where they have to accept that Microsoft will have a small foothold on their current platforms, through the purchase of Mojang. It's not altogether uncommon, and the effect isn't to be overstated, but it's still there.

My point is that because Sony won't remove Minecraft, it is indispensable on a Sony platform (the definition of indispensable is "absolutely necessary"). At this point, it can be argued that Minecraft is absolutely necessary on Sony's platforms, because they have already been announced and released. Ergo, Microsoft has an indispensable IP on a Sony platform.

"Sony will not touch minecraft.
At all."

We both agree on this completely. This is not the argument.

https://mojang.com


Well, its official. I wish I wasn't wrong with what I had said earlier.

I really hope they do a good job with this.

At least the other versions will continue to get full support, and Mojang will still be on other platforms like PC and PlayStation.

Davideo7 : Well, yeah, I really don't like Microsoft and their ways, but I may change my mind and become an OP once again. Just let me think about this first. If I really want to be OP still or not. Mrfe told me that it won't be so bad, so give me a week to think about it and I'll let you know asap.

Can't say I am surprised that Microsoft bought out Minecraft officially. It was the 2.5 Billion dollar price tag that surprised me. I am interested in seeing how Minecraft + other platforms works out. This should be quite interesting to see what news is released in the coming days. 
Quite interesting, indeed. 

I think Microsoft would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did something to the game that didn't make fans happy. A couple million people own one version or another of the game, which is a pretty big userbase. Anything negative could get Microsoft on the bad side of the millions of players, which could prevent new users buying the game and convince shareholders to back out. All of that would doom Microsoft from making a return on their rather large investment. In other words, this game is a pretty big deal, and any rash decisions could be anything but good for Microsoft. If they handle Minecraft with care, Microsoft's nearly unlimited access to technology and manpower could seriously improve the game...

...or they can be Microsoft and ruin everything good.

Davideo7 : Hey David, I have already let you know, but I wanted to say this again, I'll give Microsoft one more chance. I can see if I can reinstate my OP rank once again, but if Microsoft does screw up Minecraft, then I'll resign from the OP position.

geeogree : I personally hate the idea, as Microsoft does very little with their games but rip off games I find better. Even their controllers are rip offs! The only original series that wasn't a rip off of something else that I know of was Halo. The things they will probably do is turn updates with DLC.