Who Founded Minecraft and When
Minecraft was created by Markus Persson, a Swedish game developer often known by his online alias Notch. He began releasing early versions of the game in 2009 and formally launched the first public release of Minecraft in May 2009 under his company Mojang Specifications. Persson led the initial design and coding work while the game grew from a niche indie project into one of the most purchased and played video games in history.
The game later expanded under Mojang Studios, which became the primary development studio behind Minecraft. Mojang is the company that managed the official releases, updates, and licensing of Minecraft worldwide. Persson served as lead developer and public face of the project during the critical early years when the game's player base and revenue grew rapidly.
Mojang, Microsoft Acquisition, and Ownership Structure
In September 2014, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Mojang for 2.5 billion USD, gaining ownership of the Minecraft intellectual property and the Mojang team. Markus Persson received a large share of the proceeds and left Mojang shortly after the deal closed. Microsoft has since integrated Minecraft into its gaming portfolio and expanded the franchise through new editions, spin-off titles, and licensing partnerships.
Mojang Studios continues to operate as a Microsoft studio, handling core development and updates for Minecraft across platforms. The Minecraft brand is now managed under Microsoft Gaming, with revenue streams including game sales, in-game purchases, merchandise, licensing deals, and education editions for schools. Microsoft regularly publishes financial and operational details about Minecraft through earnings reports and official announcements.
Financial Impact and Current Scale of the Minecraft Business
Minecraft has sold hundreds of millions of copies across PC, consoles, and mobile devices, making it one of the best-selling video games ever. The game generates billions in annual revenue for Microsoft, driven by game sales, marketplace transactions, and licensing agreements with brands and media companies. Minecraft remains one of the most active and profitable gaming franchises in the industry, with a large global community of players and creators.
Markus Persson remains a notable figure in gaming and tech finance, known for his early role in building Minecraft from an indie project into a multi-billion-dollar franchise. His story is frequently cited in discussions of game development entrepreneurship and digital asset creation. The financial legacy of Minecraft continues to grow as Microsoft expands the game's reach through new platforms, content, and partnerships.