Mojang Studios
Corporate brand
UnclaimedSwedish video game developer best known for creating and operating the Minecraft franchise.
Last updated October 7, 2026
Overview
Mojang Studios is a Swedish video game developer headquartered in Stockholm and operating as part of Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios organization. The studio is internationally associated with Minecraft, a block-based sandbox and survival game that grew from an independent project into one of the world's most influential and commercially successful games. Mojang began in 2009 under the name Mojang Specifications, when independent programmer Markus Persson started developing Minecraft. The project initially drew on the creative and technical ideas of earlier independent games, but developed its own identity through procedurally generated worlds, resource gathering, construction, exploration, combat, modifiability, and an unusually open-ended relationship between the game and its community. After Minecraft gained early commercial traction, Persson and former colleague Jakob Porsér incorporated Mojang AB in September 2010. Carl Manneh became chief executive, while Daniel Kaplan, Markus Toivonen, and Jens Bergensten were among the important early employees. Mojang used the revenue generated by Minecraft to expand development without relying on venture capital or a public listing. The company released the full version of Minecraft at the first Minecon convention in November 2011, and Bergensten assumed the game's lead-design role from Persson shortly afterward. During this period, Mojang broadened Minecraft across personal computers, consoles, and mobile devices, while also experimenting with other projects and publishing externally developed games. The studio's portfolio beyond the core game has included the collectible card game Scrolls, later reissued as Caller's Bane; the turn-based strategy title Crown and Council; the platform-action game Cobalt and its multiplayer spin-off Cobalt WASD; and several Minecraft-related projects. Minecraft: Story Mode was developed by Telltale Games under a partnership with Mojang. Mojang itself developed Minecraft Dungeons, a dungeon-crawling action game, and Minecraft Legends, an action-strategy title. Minecraft Earth, an augmented-reality mobile spin-off, was launched and later discontinued. The company has also used game jams and experimental releases to explore smaller concepts and support charitable initiatives. Microsoft announced its agreement to acquire Mojang in September 2014, and the transaction closed in November of that year. Mojang became part of Microsoft Studios, subsequently renamed Xbox Game Studios, while retaining substantial operational independence. The acquisition brought Microsoft's financial, technical, platform, and distribution resources to the Minecraft business, while Mojang continued to operate as a recognizable studio with a strong player-community focus. In May 2020, the company adopted the name Mojang Studios to reflect its expanded internal structure and multiple locations. Its activities now cover Minecraft development and live operations, spin-off games, licensing and partnerships, educational and community initiatives, and collaborations connected with entertainment and physical experiences. The studio operates from Stockholm with additional locations and support in markets including London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Redmond.
History
Mojang's roots lie in Markus Persson's independent programming work. In 2009, Persson began making a block-based sandbox game inspired in part by Infiniminer. He released early versions of Minecraft under the name Mojang Specifications, and the project quickly generated enough income to allow him to leave his regular employment. Persson reused the Mojang name from an earlier venture associated with his work on Wurm Online. In September 2010, Persson and Jakob Porsér incorporated Mojang AB. Carl Manneh was hired as chief executive, and the company added business, art, and programming staff including Daniel Kaplan, Markus Toivonen, and Jens Bergensten. Minecraft's development accelerated as the game attracted a large online community. Mojang created or supported versions for computers, mobile devices, and consoles, while also organizing Minecon as a dedicated community convention. Minecraft formally launched in November 2011, and Bergensten took over its lead-design responsibilities from Persson soon afterward. The company initially emphasized independence. It declined outside investment and did not pursue a public listing, using Minecraft revenue to finance its activities. Mojang announced Scrolls in 2011 and later published Cobalt from Oxeye Game Studio. It also experimented with game-jam projects, including charitable collaborations with Humble Bundle. Crown and Council, released free for Windows in 2016 and later updated for additional desktop platforms, represented a smaller internally developed project. By 2014, Minecraft's scale had made Mojang a major acquisition target. Persson, who wanted to leave the pressure of owning the company, offered his stake for sale. Microsoft announced its acquisition in September 2014, and the transaction closed in November. Persson, Porsér, and Manneh departed after the deal. Mojang joined Microsoft Studios, later Xbox Game Studios, but Microsoft kept the studio comparatively independent while supplying broader technical, financial, and platform support. After the acquisition, Mojang continued operating Minecraft while extending the franchise. It partnered with Telltale Games on Minecraft: Story Mode, released the card game Scrolls outside beta before later converting it into Caller's Bane, and developed Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Earth. Minecraft Classic was released in a browser in 2019 to mark the game's tenth anniversary. In 2020, the company became Mojang Studios, a name intended to recognize its multi-location and multi-project structure. Minecraft Legends followed in 2023. The modern studio combines game development, ongoing updates and services for Minecraft, spin-off production, publishing, education-related work, community engagement, and selected entertainment partnerships.
- 2023
Minecraft Legends released
[1]The Minecraft franchise expands into action-strategy with Minecraft Legends.
- 2020
Company rebranded as Mojang Studios
[1]Mojang adopts a new name and logo to reflect its broader studio structure.
- 2019
Minecraft Classic released in browser
[1]Mojang makes a browser version of Minecraft's early public alpha available for the game's tenth anniversary.
- 2018
Scrolls becomes Caller's Bane
[1]Following the end of the original online service, the game returns under a new name and free-to-play model.
- 2016
Crown and Council released
[1]Mojang releases Henrik Pettersson's free turn-based strategy game for Windows.
- 2014
Microsoft announces Mojang acquisition
[1]Microsoft agrees to acquire Mojang for its Microsoft Studios gaming organization.
- 2014
Acquisition closes
[1]Mojang becomes a Microsoft Studios subsidiary; its three principal shareholders subsequently leave the company.
- 2011
Minecraft reaches full release
[1]Minecraft formally launches at the first Minecon event, and Jens Bergensten becomes the game's lead designer.
- 2010
Mojang AB is incorporated
[1]Markus Persson and Jakob Porsér establish Mojang AB, with Carl Manneh appointed chief executive.
- 2009
Mojang Specifications begins Minecraft development
[1]Markus Persson starts developing and distributing early versions of Minecraft under the Mojang Specifications name.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented, globally distributed game developer centered on creativity, player expression, long-term live-game support, and the expansion of the Minecraft universe across platforms and media.
Sandbox and survival video game · 2009
Minecraft
Mojang's defining product is a procedurally generated sandbox and survival game built around exploration, construction, resource management, and player-created experiences. It is available across computer, console, and mobile platforms and has developed into a long-running service with regular updates, community creations, educational uses, and a large ecosystem of licensed and derivative experiences.
Action role-playing game · 2020
Minecraft Dungeons
A cooperative dungeon-crawling action game set in the Minecraft universe. It uses recognizable Minecraft themes and visual language while replacing the main game's open-ended construction with mission-based combat, equipment collection, and progression.
Action-strategy game · 2023
Minecraft Legends
An action-strategy spin-off that combines real-time command elements, exploration, base building, and combat in a Minecraft-inspired setting.
Augmented-reality mobile game · 2019
Minecraft Earth
A location-based augmented-reality Minecraft spin-off designed around collecting, building, and interacting with Minecraft content in the physical world. Its online service was later discontinued.
Digital collectible card game · 2014
Scrolls / Caller's Bane
Mojang's digital collectible card game, originally released as Scrolls. After development of new content stopped and the original online services ended, it was reissued under the name Caller's Bane with a free-to-play model.
Turn-based strategy game · 2016
Crown and Council
A compact turn-based strategy game developed by Mojang artist Henrik Pettersson. It was released free of charge for Windows and later received Linux and macOS support.
Action platform game · 2016
Cobalt
An externally developed action platform game created by Oxeye Game Studio and published by Mojang. The game combines platforming, shooting, movement abilities, and multiplayer-oriented mechanics.
Multiplayer action game · 2017
Cobalt WASD
A multiplayer-focused spin-off of Cobalt developed by Oxeye Game Studio and released by Mojang for Windows after an early-access period.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Games Against Ebola
Global
Mojang participated in Humble Bundle's Games Against Ebola game jam and created three additional small games.
Outcome. Completed
- 2013Mojam 2
Global
Mojang returned to the Humble Bundle game-jam format and produced three small games for a charitable bundle.
Outcome. Completed
- 2012Mojam
Global
Mojang partnered with Humble Bundle for a charity-oriented game jam in which the studio created Catacomb Snatch. The resulting bundle generated donations for charitable causes.
Outcome. Completed
Brand decisions
2020
Rebrand as Mojang StudiosStrategyBackground
The company had expanded beyond a single Minecraft development team and operated across multiple locations and projects.
Action taken
Mojang introduced the Mojang Studios name and a new logo.
Aftermath
The rebrand positioned the company as a broader multi-studio organization while retaining Mojang's association with Minecraft.
2014
Accept Microsoft acquisitionM&ABackground
Markus Persson wanted to leave the pressures associated with owning Minecraft and offered his stake for sale. Microsoft sought Minecraft as a major asset for its gaming strategy.
Action taken
Mojang accepted Microsoft's acquisition agreement, which closed in November 2014.
Aftermath
Mojang became part of Microsoft Studios, while Persson, Porsér, and Manneh departed. Microsoft maintained considerable operational independence for the studio.
Acquisition value. US$2.5 billion (announced September 2014; completed November 2014)
Recent events
- 2025
Mojang leadership changes[1]
Leadership change
Åsa Bredin stepped down as studio head and Kayleen Walters was appointed to the role.
- 2022
Minecraft Legends announced[1]
Product launch
Mojang announced Minecraft Legends, an action-strategy game set in the Minecraft universe.
- 2020
Mojang announces rebranding as Mojang Studios[1]
Other
The company introduced the Mojang Studios name and a new visual identity to signal its multi-studio structure.
- 2014
Microsoft announces agreement to acquire Mojang[1]
M&A
Microsoft announced a deal to acquire Mojang and bring the Minecraft developer into Microsoft Studios.
- 2014
Mojang becomes part of Microsoft Studios[1]
M&A
The acquisition closed and Mojang began operating as a Microsoft gaming subsidiary.
Sources2 sources
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