Home Gaming Is Minecraft creator Notch a sellout?

Is Minecraft creator Notch a sellout?

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Notch

People seem to despise success. Whenever anybody becomes famous or successful – whatever the reason – they end up being the target of hate, vitriol and general chagrin. Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson is wildly successful, – and for good reason. Minecraft has become a phenomenon, a sensation that’s changed the way people look at games. And since being bought out by Microsoft, Persson has been regularly accused of “selling out.”

Asked by a fan (via Gamespot) if he thought he was a “sellout” for agreeing to sell to Microsoft, Persson replied on Twitter saying that: “I kinda feel like I am, but I still feel like I made the right choice. I guess some things always come at a cost.”

Microsoft officially acquired Mojang last year in November for a staggering $2.5 billion. That’s not selling out – that’s making very smart, informed decisions. It’s not like Notch was working on Minecraft any more anyway; he left that in the capable hands of the rest of Mojang long ago.

Stuck betwixt a rock and a hard place, Notch says that had he continued with Minecraft, he’d be seen as a one trick pony. The other option is to be seen as a sellout.

Persson said: “The one-trick pony thing was hard to deal with. Matching the insane success of Minecraft would be impossible. I’m OK with it now.”

He’s back to doing what he wants to. He’s making prototypes for games for the hell of it; prototypes that he doesn’t intend to show to the public – relinquishing the fear of public appraisal of things that could never hope to match the success of his block world builder.

That’s not selling out. That’s making your dreams a reality.

Last Updated: February 19, 2015

85 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief

    February 19, 2015 at 09:09

    I agree, definitely NOT a sellout.

    Doing what he loves (and with a hefty bank balance), is admirable (I do so love that word)

    Reply

    • Rock789

      February 19, 2015 at 09:20

      The Admiral is admirably admirable… 😉 🙂

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        February 19, 2015 at 09:20

        Awwww shucks

        Reply

    • Gerhard Davids

      February 19, 2015 at 09:20

      So modest.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        February 19, 2015 at 09:21

        Indeed, the modesty is quite…admirable

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          February 19, 2015 at 09:34

          It’s one of the chief virtues?

          Reply

    • Mark Treloar

      February 19, 2015 at 10:42

      Except he is a sellout. You cant say you won’t support Minecraft on Windows 8 because its becoming a walled garden then support it on the Xbox which is a walled garden.

      Reply

  2. HvR

    February 19, 2015 at 09:14

    Ugh, some people should rather stick to siting in their lonely bedrooom “waxing their diamond swords” than communicate with the outside world.

    Notch made the best decision possible, he is a creator not a business/sales guy.

    Reply

  3. Umar

    February 19, 2015 at 09:14

    Too many people think money is the most important thing in the world. What value does it hold if you’re not happy?

    Reply

    • HvR

      February 19, 2015 at 09:26

      I will prefer to be rich and happy like Notch.

      Reply

      • Umar

        February 19, 2015 at 09:27

        Being happy is more than enough for me…

        Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      February 19, 2015 at 09:30

      Trust me he’s happy! I’d also be happy if Selena Gomes, Rihana and then likes were partying at my multi million $ mansion every weekend….????

      Reply

      • Umar

        February 19, 2015 at 09:31

        A few friends + couch coop + snacks > Rihana

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          February 19, 2015 at 09:33

          Amen

          Reply

        • Pieter Kruger

          February 19, 2015 at 09:35

          You make me very sad….????????????

          Reply

        • Lardus-Resident Perve

          February 19, 2015 at 09:48

          Actually, stale cinema popcorn > Rihana. Selena…now that is a bit more difficult to compare…if it was Katy Perry…impossibru!

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            February 19, 2015 at 09:49

            Dat KP!

          • Lardus-Resident Perve

            February 19, 2015 at 09:53

            One of the very few celebs or “pseudo-celebs” I would like to meet some day. Another one is Eliza Dushku (born same day same year, plus Faith in Buffy!)

          • Admiral Chief

            February 19, 2015 at 09:55

            DAT ELIZA!!!

            Yeah, had (have) a big crush on her since Buffy

          • Guest

            February 19, 2015 at 10:44

            Is this how you drive in your RX-8? 🙂

          • Lardus-Resident Perve

            February 19, 2015 at 11:20

            That was brilliant! But no haha

          • HvR

            February 19, 2015 at 10:47

            Is this how you drive around in your RX-8?

          • Lardus-Resident Perve

            February 19, 2015 at 11:22

            Haha, sometimes a lot more swearing involved, and my music of choice in the car includes Classic FM, 3 Katherine Jenkins CDs, 2 Peruvian flute music CDs, and 1 Sarah Brightman CD. Sometimes Boeremusiek and sometimes Rammstein 🙂 But no singing…maybe

    • Spaffy

      February 19, 2015 at 09:31

      Something something cry in my BMW than on a bicycle something

      Reply

      • Rock789

        February 19, 2015 at 10:16

        Ol’ Flavio… Yeah, he’s had more Supermodel girlfriends than any man should rightfully expect… Wonder why?! 😉

        Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      February 19, 2015 at 09:40

      But the more money you have the better person you are, because you’ve been reward with it, obviously!

      Reply

      • Umar

        February 19, 2015 at 10:24

        THAT is so illuminati lol

        Reply

  4. RinceThis

    February 19, 2015 at 09:17

    So he isn’t a sellout for $2.5 billion, but Occuls is for their selling to Facebook? Double standards. #GG

    Reply

    • Gerhard Davids

      February 19, 2015 at 09:19

      I think that is because Minecraft became something, a product that did what it “said on the box” if you will. Ocu was a kickstarter, where backers had expectations, even before it is actually out there serving the people it get’s sold to a company with not even remotely the same direction the original team had (which is what the backers bought into). So not really double standards.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        February 19, 2015 at 09:19

        ^This

        Reply

      • Umar

        February 19, 2015 at 09:21

        Yup.

        Reply

      • HvR

        February 19, 2015 at 09:21

        Not really only the first dev kit was a Kickstarter and they were one of the few companies that fully delivered on their Kickstarter promises.

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          February 19, 2015 at 09:21

          Damn you, was just about to say that.

          Reply

        • Gerhard Davids

          February 19, 2015 at 10:31

          Look I agree that they did not sell out either. I’m simply trying to convey that the two situations are vastly different and OR is a much more complex case. As such, that is where the witch hunt about it arose from. A lack of information/understanding by the vocal lot.

          I’m in the industry and know what these guys go through. It’s a hell of a ride trying to make even a tiny product go into full-scale production.

          Reply

      • RinceThis

        February 19, 2015 at 09:21

        But the backers have more from their backing now.

        Reply

        • Gerhard Davids

          February 19, 2015 at 10:25

          Arguably. No one knows what is going to happen with the product, what direction it’s going to take. If I want a petrol fueled car and get a top of the range tesla instead, I would be pissed. Sure it’s worth a hell of a lot more and is technologically superior, but now it is not usefull to me because I don’t have the facility. This is one possibility of what could happen to backers if the direction of the projects changes dramatically which has, and continues to be, been a very real possibility.

          Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 19, 2015 at 09:19

      Well to be fair, Oculus has not even released properly, whereas Minecraft is a successful enterprise

      Reply

    • HvR

      February 19, 2015 at 09:24

      Also not a sellout, only way to make a product like Occulus Rift successful past the prototype/initial stage is with the backing of a big international corporate. Lots of people with opinions and Twitter accounts that know sweet fuckall about what is takes to take a product to market.

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 19, 2015 at 09:24

      *Occulus

      Reply

      • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

        February 19, 2015 at 09:32

        Thank you.

        Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    February 19, 2015 at 09:22

    $2.5 billion, they can have my soul as well.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 19, 2015 at 09:24

      Rince is out of luck

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        February 19, 2015 at 09:31

        Not really, he’d end up with trillions from selling out others souls.

        Reply

      • RinceThis

        February 19, 2015 at 09:34

        Le sigh?

        Reply

    • Draco Lusus

      February 19, 2015 at 09:33

      There isn’t much on this planet I wouldn’t do for that much cash. Just imagine the amount of strippers, drugs and shit you can buy…I mean, how many people you could help with that money.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        February 19, 2015 at 09:35

        They wouldn’t get through varsity otherwise. You’re a saint.

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        February 19, 2015 at 09:36

        Screw people, SPCA.

        Reply

        • Draco Lusus

          February 19, 2015 at 09:42

          I would tend to agree with you, Rhino action group, Wetnose, Ark animal centre etc. But just think how many single moms you could put through school, all the while having a roaring good time?

          Reply

          • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

            February 19, 2015 at 09:43

            That thing that’s wrong with you… It’s not a small thing.

          • Hammersteyn

            February 19, 2015 at 09:43

            Hahahaha okay, you sold me to the idea

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            February 19, 2015 at 09:44

            And their kids could become veterinarians. Circle of life.

        • HvR

          February 19, 2015 at 10:12

          SPCA spending millions trying to introduce stupid laws (ie banning pigeon racing) instead of actually helping animals rather support local independent animal welfare groups.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            February 19, 2015 at 10:16

  6. Rock789

    February 19, 2015 at 09:25

    Yeah, that’s called good business – not selling out. Those same people calling him a sellout would, guaranteed, be calling him an idiot if news of him turning down the MS offer surfaced.

    I’m sorry, but someone offers you enough money for you to:
    a. Never worry about cash again.
    b. Now have the ability to work on what you’re passionate about instead of the same thing over-and-over because that’s ‘what everyone else wants’.
    Yeah, that’s called a fine-ass business decision! He ain’t a sellout. And good for him!

    Reply

    • Draco Lusus

      February 19, 2015 at 09:33

      Give me $2.5 BILLION and I would “sell out” too. People are just haters.

      Reply

  7. Blood Emperor Trevor

    February 19, 2015 at 09:26

    I think very few people hate it when someone else becomes successful without being an arsehole about it. From everything I’ve read over the years, that’s exactly what he did. So I’m glad for his success, and think it’s great that he’s able to be free to do as he chooses.

    Also don’t think he’s a sellout for moving on. That’s the indie double standard – if you start small you have to stay small. Rubbish.

    Reply

  8. Ross Woofels Mason

    February 19, 2015 at 09:27

    I see nothing wrong with selling out to be honest.

    People are on this planet to survive, and if someone is willing to offer you an ass ton of money for something you made and you are happy to let it go, then fecking good for you.

    You are winning at life =p

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 19, 2015 at 09:32

      100%

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 19, 2015 at 09:33

      “Ass ton of money”

      Sign me up for one of those please

      Reply

      • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

        February 19, 2015 at 09:33

        Always knew you liked ass.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          February 19, 2015 at 09:34

          Indeed, I can’t keep my hands off my wife’s one

          Reply

          • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

            February 19, 2015 at 09:37

            I’d feel sorry for her, but if she hasn’t noticed by now…

            http://cdn.elitedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_m0h9wpbdU21rqfhi2o1_500.gif

          • Admiral Chief

            February 19, 2015 at 09:41

            Was that an attempt at humour?

          • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

            February 19, 2015 at 09:43

            I’m not dumbing it down so you can understand it. Just think for a while. You might get it. One day.

          • Admiral Chief

            February 19, 2015 at 09:45

            I see you are out in full-idiot mode again today, so we’ll talk again tomorrow

          • Tosh "Did he just say that?"

            February 19, 2015 at 09:48

          • Rock789

            February 19, 2015 at 10:18

            Sarcasm. 😉

          • Rock789

            February 19, 2015 at 10:18

            Sarcasm? 😉

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            February 19, 2015 at 09:42

            Me neither. I mean… er… LOOK OVER THERE! *run*

          • Admiral Chief

            February 19, 2015 at 09:44

            Huehuehue

      • Ross Woofels Mason

        February 19, 2015 at 09:48

        Hahaha I could use one too =p

        Reply

  9. Wraith

    February 19, 2015 at 09:29

    “One-trick pony”. He must be referring to cliff horse!

    Reply

  10. CAE9872

    February 19, 2015 at 09:32

    Nope no sellout – wise man. Even he knows Minecraft just happened to come along at the right time with right ingredients and hit gold – chances of that happening again for him is highly unlikely and by all accounts he is not a business-type. So good on him for passing it along to others that enjoy doing what he no longer did.

    Reply

  11. Lexi Micali

    February 19, 2015 at 09:40

    Woah we can all agree people hate and this is one of THEM

    Reply

  12. Lothy

    February 19, 2015 at 10:38

    omg its another minecraft post! Has CypherGate been notified yet?

    Reply

  13. Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7

    February 19, 2015 at 11:41

    So let me get this straight? Make a success of a company an you are bound by some weird ass internet law to continue with the same project for the rest of your life? PLease man. Grow up people

    Reply

  14. Guest

    February 19, 2015 at 12:56

    Hi guys, if you want there is a limited offer for Minecraft on g2a 😉 g2a.com/r/index1-html

    Reply

  15. Michelle

    February 19, 2015 at 14:19

    If I were in his shoes,I’d sell the game and buy me that $70m house just to spite JayZ and Beyonce.

    Reply

  16. Brady miaau

    February 19, 2015 at 15:24

    A winner if I ever heard of one

    Reply

  17. Sarah Cultist

    February 20, 2015 at 01:56

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    membership initiation is open to all human beings visit site now to register and

    get your problems solved. You do not need human sacrifices anymore. You do not need

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    Reply

  18. lygamnt

    February 20, 2015 at 05:36

    It’s not selling out That’s what you call “Living the dream.”

    Reply

  19. JustAnotherGamer

    February 20, 2015 at 11:19

    He’s the definition of a sellout.01

    Reply

  20. blah blah

    April 19, 2016 at 11:11

    He was delusional. His game blew up, b/c it was novel for the time and social media helped it skyrocket. He quit his job, worked fulltime on it.. then when the money really started rolling in he became more enamored with messing around then working on it. Then, the success of MC went to his head, and he thought he was the next great game developer of all time. So, he creates a game studio, furnishes it like John Romero furnishing his dev studio during the Daikatana days (ie: rich and lavish), goes on more vacations, and finally shows how little he cars about his flagship product by handing it off to someone else while hiring a bunch of other developers to crank out other things. He started and gave up on projects (eg: the one where you were in a starship and coding on a console), his studio cranked out lackluster, also-ran products like a collectible card game (whoopee… so creative). If he was really serious about being an amazing game developer, he would have thrown tons of resouces at minecraft, and had other developers revamping the code to create a 2nd version or to some how monetize it with DLC. Instead, he gave up… he gave up on MC when he rolled out that half-assed “ender dragon / end” update (which rolled it out of beta into final production, even though the game still felt very much like a beta), he gave up on it when he handed it to someone else to update it, he gave up on the studio when he realized (from the lackluster results of the other mojang games) that he WASN’T god’s next gift to gaming … so when MS came along, he wasn’t an idiot. He cashed out. Smart move on his part, but essentially this just means he went from “innovative game creator” to “guy that sells his startup and cuts his losses before they mount.” In a way I don’t blame him. The pressure was immense. He mentioned the toll it was taking on his life in tv interviews. But, I feel he caused a lot of it. Opening a dev studio based on 1 game success, hosting huge conventions based around 1 game… I think his ego got the better of him, and when he sobered up he realized he was in over his ambition… he liked the money coming in, but couldnt’ find a way to keep monetizing it, and realized he wasn’t magical and able to produce the same success MC did, and he no longer cared about MC. (He probably developed a love-hate relationship with it.. he loved it at first, but once it just became a cash cow and people complained about updates, he probably dreaded the idea of working on it… it was no longer a labor of love, it was something he was forced to do. This is what happens when your hobby becomes your job.)

    Reply

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