In a recent interview with Develop, Minecraft creator Markus âNotchâ Persson discusses EA CEO John Riccitielloâs visit to the Stockholm headquarters of Mojang, saying that any acquisition hopes Riccitiello might have had were quashed by the independent studioâs vibe.
Itâs no surprise that the highly successful independent developer behind a game thatâs now sold more than three million copies has to fend off offers left and right. Venture capitalists want to give them money (âwe basically donât need itâ said Persson during the full interview), and the CEOs of large game companies come calling, as EAâs head honcho did earlier this year.
Well, EA came to see us. I think they had plans, but the picked up the vibe. Nothing has been said since â itâs all very high politics.
According to Develop, Riccitiello made a special trip to Stockholm just to visit the house of Minecraft. I contacted EA for confirmation, and was told that while EA doesnât comment on their mergers and acquisitions activity, âJohnâs trips to Sweden are more likely related to marveling at the progress DICE has made on Battlefield 3.â
Notch also confirmed the DICE visit with me. âHe was visiting DICE primarily, but spent a long lunch with us,â he said. âNobody ever mentioned anything about any M&A during that lunch, but there has been definite hints earlier from other people at EA.â
That having been said, Riccitiello doesnât seem like the sort of fellow that just stops by a ridiculously successful indie developerâs office for a sandwich. Perhaps Notch was right, and he didnât find the taste to his liking. Mmmm, Mojang vibe.
