Microsoft is reportedly close to purchasing Minecraft creator Mojang. The Redmond-based company has been holding advanced discussions with founder Markus "Notch" Persson and company with an offer of more than $2 billion on the table according to a person with knowledge of the matter as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
A deal could be finalized as early as this week, the person said.
If true, an acquisition would certainly be a surprise as Persson has traditionally turned his nose up at outside investors and big corporations in general. For example, Persson severed all ties with Oculus VR following its acquisition by Facebook earlier this year.
At the time, he said the social network's motives were too unclear and shifting and they haven't historically been a stable platform. Persson added that there was nothing about their history that makes him trust them which makes them seem creepy.
Differences with corporations aside, there's no denying that Minecraft is an unprecedented success. Since its initial release in 2009, Mojang has sold more than 50 million copies of the game across multiple platforms. Just last year alone, the company raked in more than $100 million in profits from sales of Minecraft and related merchandise.
Bloomberg's Dina Bass said on Twitter that she's also hearing the same acquisition talks from her sources. These sources also added that Minecraft would remain a cross-platform title if a deal is indeed hammered out.