Mojang Studios is a Swedish video game developer founded in 2009 by Markus Notch Persson, Carl Manneh, and Jakob Porser. It is best known as the creator of Minecraft, one of the most popular and influential video games of all time.

1. Founding and Early Years (2009-2011):

Mojang was initially a small independent game studio. Markus Persson, also known as Notch, had already created a small indie game called Minecraft, which quickly gained a cult following. The games success led to the formation of Mojang as a company, with Persson focusing on the development and expansion of Minecraft.

In 2010, the games alpha version was released to the public. It was initially a simple, sandbox-style game with a unique pixelated art style and block-building mechanics. The game grew in popularity through community feedback, frequent updates, and engaging mechanics like crafting and survival mode.

2. Acquisition by Microsoft (2014):

As Minecraft grew, Mojang saw significant success, attracting millions of players worldwide. However, in 2014, the company was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Despite this acquisition, Mojang continued to operate as an independent studio within Microsoft, with the Minecraft franchise remaining a core part of its portfolio.

After the acquisition, the team expanded further, and Mojang continued to develop new content for Minecraft, including additional game versions, spin-offs like Minecraft Dungeons, and major updates to enhance the gaming experience.

3. Post-Acquisition Era (2014-present):

Post-Microsoft acquisition, Mojang maintained its focus on Minecraft and expanded into new platforms, mobile devices, and collaborations with external developers.

Mojang Studios also focused on enhancing the community and player creativity, maintaining the open-world, sandbox-style gameplay that allows players to build and create freely. The studio also worked on expanding Minecraft through partnerships, such as with LEGO for Minecraft LEGO sets and educational tools.