Activision Blizzard’s Missed Opportunity: Former CEO Reveals $1.5 Billion Minecraft Bid
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Microsoft’s $2.5 billion acquisition of Minecraft and its developer, Mojang, in 2014 wasn’t the only serious offer on the table. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has revealed his company came remarkably close to purchasing the sandbox phenomenon, making a bid of $1.5 billion before ultimately being outmaneuvered by Microsoft.
A Decade of Speculation Confirmed
Rumors of Activision Blizzard’s interest in Minecraft circulated a decade ago, alongside similar speculation regarding Electronic Arts. Now, Kotick has confirmed these reports in a recent podcast appearance with Ari Emanuel and Elon Musk, as first reported by GameSpot. “I almost bought it,” he admitted, detailing a five-day negotiation period with Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson in Stockholm.
The Deal That Fell Apart
According to Kotick, Activision Blizzard presented a $1.5 billion offer to Persson. However, the deal quickly unraveled when Persson announced his intention to leave the company, along with his key leadership team. “He said, ‘By the way, I’m quitting, and my top leadership guys are all quitting,’” Kotick recounted. “And they only had 30 employees at the company… Like, we can’t run your company.” Shortly after this revelation, Persson informed Kotick of a competing offer from Microsoft.
Microsoft Secures the Blockbuster
Ultimately, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, successfully secured the deal for Mojang and Minecraft at the $2.5 billion price point initially proposed to Persson. The acquisition has proven to be a significant win for Microsoft, with Minecraft remaining a cornerstone of its gaming portfolio for over ten years. Kotick acknowledged the success of Microsoft’s stewardship, praising Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty for doing “a really great job” overseeing Minecraft post-acquisition.
An Indirect Connection Through the Activision Blizzard Deal
Interestingly, Kotick pointed out an indirect link between Minecraft and Activision Blizzard, stemming from Microsoft’s eventual acquisition of Activision Blizzard itself, finalized in 2023 after a lengthy legal battle. Microsoft’s first IP crossover with Activision Blizzard is already underway, with a Minecraft spinoff being developed by the team behind Candy Crush.
Kotick’s own tenure at Activision Blizzard concluded shortly after the Microsoft acquisition, bringing an end to a 32-year career that oversaw the merger of Activision and Blizzard and numerous other pivotal shifts in the gaming landscape.
