Microsoft Looking to Buy Mojang

A new report suggests Microsoft is preparing to buy off Minecraft developer Mojang AB.

A new article in the Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is in "serious discussions to buy Mojang AB."

According to the "person with knowledge of the matter," the WSJ writes that, "The deal would be valued at more than $2 billion and could be signed as early as this week."

Inside sources also claimed that "Microsoft will keep Minecraft available for rival products" should the deal go ahead. That would suggest, but does not confirm, that Minecraft is likely to remain on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 regardless of whether Mojang is purchased.

The same unnamed sources also claim that Markus Persson, the principal developer of Minecraft and founder of Mojang, would most likely leave the company if the deal goes through.

The deal might come as a surprise to many as last year Mojang's co-founder, Carl Manneh said "We are living the dream, really. An exit would be huge, but do we really need that money? In our case, we have the cash flow. We have more money than we need."

Minecraft is available on PC, mobile, Xbox 360, PS3, and from last week PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.