Minecraft is one of the most iconic video games in history. But many fans still ask, who owns Minecraft today?
The answer involves one of the biggest tech giants in the world. Let’s explore the full history, ownership, shareholders, financials, and competitors of the company behind Minecraft.
History of Minecraft
Minecraft was first created by Markus Persson, also known as Notch, a Swedish game developer. He started working on the game in 2009 and released the first public version in May of that year. The game quickly grew in popularity because of its open-world sandbox design and player freedom.
In 2010, Persson founded Mojang, a Swedish video game company, to develop Minecraft further. Over the next few years, Minecraft became a global sensation. It sold millions of copies and built a loyal community.
The game’s success attracted the attention of large tech companies.
In 2014, Microsoft purchased Mojang marking a major shift in Minecraft’s ownership and future development.
Who Owns Minecraft?
Today, Minecraft is fully owned by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft bought Mojang, the studio that developed Minecraft, in September 2014. The acquisition cost $2.5 billion. Since then, Microsoft has held 100% ownership of Minecraft, including its development rights, trademarks, and revenue.
Microsoft’s purchase was led by its Xbox division, aiming to grow its gaming portfolio. The acquisition also gave Microsoft a strong presence in the sandbox gaming genre. As a result, Minecraft is now part of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios.
Minecraft Shareholders
Although Minecraft itself is not an independent company, its parent company, Microsoft, is publicly traded. So the shareholders of Microsoft indirectly own Minecraft.
Below are the major shareholders of Microsoft:
| Shareholder | Approx. Ownership of Microsoft | Type | Role / Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Group | 8.5% | Institutional Investor | Largest shareholder; votes on governance issues; passive investment strategy |
| BlackRock Inc. | 7.5% | Institutional Investor | Major passive investor; supports ESG governance policies |
| Steve Ballmer | 4% | Individual Shareholder | Largest individual shareholder; former CEO; not involved in operations |
| State Street Corporation | 4% | Institutional Investor | Passive investor; votes in shareholder meetings |
| Satya Nadella | <1% | Individual (CEO) | Microsoft CEO; strategic control of Minecraft; owns small stake |
| Capital Research & Management | 2% | Institutional Investor | Active fund manager; invests in long-term tech growth |
| Fidelity Investments | 1.5% | Institutional Investor | Long-term investor through mutual and retirement funds |
| Geode Capital Management | 1.5% | Institutional (Vanguard Affiliate) | Passive index fund manager; participates in voting |
| T. Rowe Price | 1% | Institutional Investor | Research-focused long-term investor |
| Northern Trust Corporation | 0.5–1% | Institutional Investor | Manages assets for large institutions; passive role |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | <1% | Institutional/Wealth Manager | Invests on behalf of high-net-worth clients and institutions |
| Bank of America (Merrill Lynch) | <1% | Institutional/Wealth Manager | Holds Microsoft shares for client portfolios |
| Citadel Advisors LLC | <1% | Hedge Fund | Active trader; financial investor with no strategic influence |
| Norwegian Government Pension Fund | <1% | Sovereign Wealth Fund | Long-term investor; publicly known for ethical investing |
| Canada Pension Plan Investment Board | <1% | Pension Fund | Institutional investor with global tech exposure |
| CalPERS (California Pension Fund) | <1% | Pension Fund | Long-term shareholder focused on stability and governance |
Vanguard Group – Approx. 8.5% Ownership
The Vanguard Group is the largest shareholder of Microsoft. It holds roughly 8.5% of Microsoft’s total outstanding shares. Vanguard is a major institutional investor and asset management firm. It manages trillions of assets across global markets.
As a passive investor, Vanguard does not interfere with Microsoft’s daily operations. However, it has voting power in shareholder meetings and influences corporate governance. Vanguard’s ownership gives it a strong voice in strategic decisions such as board elections and executive compensation. Through its stake in Microsoft, Vanguard also indirectly owns a large portion of Minecraft.
BlackRock Inc. – Approx. 7.5% Ownership
BlackRock is the second-largest shareholder of Microsoft. It holds around 7.5% of shares. Like Vanguard, BlackRock is a global investment management corporation with a long-term, passive investing approach.
Although it doesn’t control operations, BlackRock participates in key shareholder decisions. It supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in company leadership. BlackRock’s indirect stake in Minecraft mirrors its investment in Microsoft’s broader gaming strategy.
Steve Ballmer – Approx. 4% Ownership
Steve Ballmer is the largest individual shareholder in Microsoft. He owns approximately 333 million shares or about 4% of the company. Ballmer served as Microsoft’s CEO from 2000 to 2014. During his tenure, he helped shape Microsoft’s software and hardware strategies.
Even after stepping down, Ballmer retained his ownership stake. This makes him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. While he is no longer involved in management, his financial interest gives him a large indirect stake in Minecraft through Microsoft.
Satya Nadella – Less than 1% Ownership
Satya Nadella is Microsoft’s current CEO. He owns less than 1% of Microsoft’s shares. While his personal stake is small, Nadella plays a crucial role in controlling Microsoft’s operations, including all decisions related to Minecraft.
Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and became CEO in 2014—the same year Microsoft acquired Mojang. Under his leadership, the company has expanded Minecraft’s reach across platforms and into education, enterprise, and global gaming.
State Street Corporation – Approx. 4% Ownership
State Street is the third-largest institutional shareholder of Microsoft. It holds about 4% of total shares. Like Vanguard and BlackRock, it manages index funds and retirement portfolios. State Street plays a passive but important role in corporate governance and policy influence.
Its stake gives it indirect ownership of Minecraft, aligned with its investment in Microsoft’s long-term value.
Capital Research & Management – Approx. 2% Ownership
Capital Research & Management Company is a division of Capital Group, one of the world’s largest investment firms. It owns around 2% of Microsoft shares through mutual funds and institutional portfolios. The firm invests in growth-oriented tech companies.
Its stake represents a vote of confidence in Microsoft’s gaming division, including Minecraft.
Fidelity Investments – Approx. 1.5% Ownership
Fidelity is another large institutional investor that holds Microsoft stock through its mutual funds and retirement products. Its stake in Microsoft is about 1.5%, giving it indirect exposure to Minecraft. Fidelity doesn’t influence Microsoft’s management but participates in shareholder votes.
Geode Capital Management – Approx. 1.5% Ownership
Geode Capital Management is a Boston-based investment firm that operates closely with Vanguard. It acts as the sub-advisor for many of Vanguard’s index funds. Geode holds approximately 1.5% of Microsoft’s shares.
Its strategy is largely passive, tracking indices like the S&P 500. Although Geode does not influence Microsoft directly, its voting power in shareholder meetings contributes to decisions such as executive pay, board elections, and ESG proposals. Through its Microsoft holdings, Geode owns a small but significant indirect share of Minecraft.
Northern Trust Corporation – Approx. 0.5–1% Ownership
Northern Trust is a financial services company that provides asset management to institutional clients, including pension funds and corporations. It owns just under 1% of Microsoft’s stock.
Northern Trust’s focus is long-term investment and capital preservation. Like other institutional holders, it doesn’t take part in day-to-day decisions but does vote on major governance matters. Its stake gives it modest exposure to Minecraft as part of Microsoft’s growing gaming portfolio.
Bank of America (Merrill Lynch) – Less than 1% Ownership
Bank of America, primarily through its Merrill Lynch wealth management division, holds Microsoft shares for client portfolios, including high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. Its direct ownership in Microsoft is generally below 1%, but its influence comes from representing thousands of investors.
Bank of America is not involved in Microsoft’s corporate decisions. However, its holding reflects confidence in Microsoft’s growth strategy and product ecosystem, which includes Minecraft.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. – Less than 1% Ownership
JPMorgan holds a small percentage of Microsoft shares through its asset management and private banking divisions. Like Merrill Lynch, it invests on behalf of clients in diversified portfolios. Its direct voting power is limited but still present.
Although JPMorgan does not control or manage Microsoft’s operations, its holdings align with a long-term investment in Microsoft’s technology and gaming businesses, including Minecraft.
Citadel Advisors LLC – Less than 1% Ownership
Citadel is a hedge fund known for active trading and short-term strategies. It occasionally holds Microsoft shares depending on market conditions. While Citadel’s stake fluctuates, it’s usually under 1%.
Unlike traditional asset managers, Citadel focuses on capitalizing on market volatility. Its involvement in Microsoft is financial rather than strategic, and it holds no operational influence over Minecraft or its parent company.
T. Rowe Price – Approx. 1% Ownership
T. Rowe Price is a global investment management firm with long-term stakes in large-cap companies. It owns about 1% of Microsoft shares across its various mutual funds and institutional portfolios.
T. Rowe Price has a research-driven approach and supports companies with strong fundamentals. Its investment in Microsoft signals confidence in ongoing innovation across cloud computing, AI, and gaming. Minecraft, as part of that ecosystem, benefits from this investor backing.
Other Global Mutual Funds and Pension Funds
Microsoft stock is a core holding for countless global funds and national pension plans. These include:
- Norwegian Government Pension Fund (Norway’s sovereign wealth fund)
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
- California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
These institutional investors hold Microsoft shares to ensure stable, long-term returns. Their investments further extend indirect ownership of Minecraft to millions of retirees and citizens worldwide.
Who Controls Minecraft?
Minecraft is fully owned and operated under the corporate umbrella of Microsoft. However, the control of the game is distributed across different leadership levels—starting from Microsoft’s executive team down to Mojang Studios, the original game developer.
Microsoft Corporation – Ultimate Authority
At the top of the control structure is Microsoft Corporation, the parent company that acquired Minecraft through its purchase of Mojang in 2014. Microsoft has the final say on financial allocation, long-term strategy, legal oversight, and cross-platform integration. All intellectual property and publishing rights for Minecraft are held by Microsoft.
Since Microsoft is a publicly traded company, it is also accountable to its board of directors and shareholders. This adds a layer of governance to all major decisions, including those that affect the future of Minecraft.
Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft
Satya Nadella is the CEO of Microsoft and plays a key role in strategic decisions involving Minecraft. Although he does not manage the game directly, Nadella’s leadership has heavily influenced how Minecraft has evolved since 2014.
Under Nadella’s vision, Minecraft expanded its presence to non-Xbox platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, iOS, and Android. He also supported the development of Minecraft Education Edition and greenlit investments in cloud gaming and cross-platform integration.
His decisions are supported by Microsoft’s Senior Leadership Team, which oversees various business units including gaming, AI, cloud services, and more.
Xbox Game Studios – Division-Level Management
Minecraft falls under the Xbox Game Studios brand, which is Microsoft’s first-party game development and publishing arm. This division oversees game development studios owned by Microsoft, including Mojang.
The head of Xbox Game Studios is Matt Booty, who reports directly to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Booty and his team manage the high-level publishing strategy for games like Minecraft, Halo, and Forza.
Xbox Game Studios ensures that Minecraft aligns with Microsoft’s broader gaming strategy, including integration with Xbox Game Pass, cloud gaming, and cross-platform functionality.
Mojang Studios – Day-to-Day Operations
Mojang Studios is the original creator of Minecraft and remains the core development studio behind the game. While it is now a subsidiary of Microsoft, Mojang still has autonomy over creative development, feature planning, game updates, and community engagement.
The studio is led by Helen Chiang, who was appointed studio head in 2018. Chiang oversees the vision, production, and long-term roadmap for the Minecraft franchise. She works closely with teams in engineering, game design, education, and player safety.
Mojang operates like a semi-independent unit within Microsoft, benefiting from corporate support while maintaining creative freedom. This balance has helped Minecraft retain its unique identity even after being acquired.
Community and Player Influence
Though not formal decision-makers, Minecraft’s global player base significantly influences the direction of the game. Mojang and Microsoft pay close attention to community feedback through Reddit, Discord, YouTube, and Minecraft Live events.
Major updates like the Caves & Cliffs, Nether Update, and Trails & Tales were heavily inspired by community suggestions. Mojang often releases early builds and snapshots to gather feedback before final updates are rolled out.
This collaborative approach makes the Minecraft community an informal—but powerful—part of the control ecosystem.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth of Minecraft
In 2024, Minecraft generated global revenue of around $98 million
Since its launch, Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies, making it the best-selling game of all time. Its lifetime revenue is estimated to exceed $3 billion.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Minecraft added long-term value to its gaming business. Today, the game’s net worth, including branding and community assets, is estimated to be over $1.5 billion.
Minecraft Market Share and Competitors
Minecraft is one of the most successful video games in history. As of 2025, it has sold over 300 million copies, making it the best-selling game of all time. Its reach spans across PC, console, and mobile, with a strong presence in education and online communities.
Minecraft holds an estimated 15–18% share of the global sandbox and creative gaming market. It also commands around 8–10% of the wider video game market, depending on how genres are categorized.
Its biggest strengths are platform flexibility, modding support, and a loyal global player base. However, it faces competition from several major titles.
Roblox – 10–12% Market Share
Roblox is Minecraft’s closest competitor in the creative and sandbox space. While Minecraft offers a structured game world with modding options, Roblox provides a platform where users can create, monetize, and play user-generated games.
Roblox has over 70 million daily active users as of 2025. It’s especially popular among children and teenagers. Unlike Minecraft, Roblox operates more as a game development ecosystem. Its virtual currency (Robux) and in-game economy give creators financial incentives.
Although Roblox doesn’t sell as many copies as Minecraft, its free-to-play model, and in-game purchases have made it a dominant force in user engagement.
Fortnite (Creative Mode) – Approx. 5–6% Market Share
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, began as a battle royale game but has increasingly become a social and creative platform through Fortnite Creative and UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite).
This mode allows players to build custom maps, host events, and script gameplay—similar to Minecraft’s Redstone or modding systems. Fortnite’s integration with live events (concerts, film screenings, and brand tie-ins) has turned it into a digital entertainment hub.
Its market share is lower in terms of creative tools, but Epic’s expanding metaverse vision puts Fortnite in direct conceptual competition with Minecraft.
Terraria – Approx. 2–3% Market Share
Terraria is a 2D sandbox game often described as a side-scrolling version of Minecraft. It focuses more on exploration, combat, and crafting in a procedurally generated world.
With over 44 million copies sold, Terraria maintains a strong following among indie game fans. While its market share is smaller than Minecraft’s, its depth and content updates keep it relevant.
It appeals to players who want a mix of building and survival with pixel-art-style nostalgia.
LEGO Fortnite – Approx. 1–2% Market Share (Emerging)
LEGO Fortnite is a newer entry in the sandbox space. It combines Fortnite’s engine with LEGO’s creative building themes. Launched in late 2023, the game is still growing but has attracted a solid fanbase among younger players and families.
Its partnership between Epic Games and LEGO Group positions it as a direct Minecraft alternative—especially for those interested in cooperative building with familiar brands.
While it holds only about 1–2% of the market today, its cross-platform support and future expansions could boost its impact in the coming years.
Core by Manticore Games – Less than 1% Market Share
Core is a platform that allows players to create and share games built on Unreal Engine. It offers visual scripting tools and assets, similar to Roblox or Fortnite Creative.
Core targets older teens and adults interested in developing more complex experiences without learning full programming. While its user base is relatively small, it’s seen as a niche competitor in the “create-your-own-game” genre.
Its market share is under 1%, but it’s backed by investors like Epic Games and has potential if it scales effectively.
Other Minor Competitors
- Dreams (by Media Molecule): A Sony-exclusive game creation system with creative flexibility but limited platform reach.
- Trove (by gamigo): A voxel-based MMO with RPG mechanics.
- Mini World, Block Craft 3D, and similar mobile clones: Often mimic Minecraft’s mechanics but lack the depth and polish.
These titles collectively hold less than 2% of the market but demonstrate the genre’s influence on global gaming.
Brands Owned by Minecraft (Microsoft)
While Minecraft does not own other brands directly, Microsoft has built several brand extensions under the Minecraft name:
1. Minecraft Dungeons – A dungeon-crawler spin-off game released in 2020. It offers a new style of gameplay while retaining Minecraft’s blocky art style.
2. Minecraft Legends – A real-time action strategy game released in 2023. It expands the Minecraft universe into new game genres.
3. Minecraft Education Edition – A classroom-friendly version of Minecraft used by schools for teaching subjects like math, history, and coding.
4. Minecraft Marketplace – A digital store within the game that allows creators to sell custom skins, maps, and resource packs. It has grown into a major platform for content creators.
All these brands are managed under Mojang Studios but are fully owned by Microsoft.
Conclusion
So, who owns Minecraft? The answer is clear—Microsoft owns it entirely. After acquiring Mojang in 2014, Microsoft has expanded Minecraft’s presence across platforms, genres, and markets. The game remains a core part of Microsoft’s gaming strategy and continues to dominate the sandbox genre.
From one developer’s idea to a global phenomenon, Minecraft’s journey is a prime example of how creativity and corporate investment can turn a simple game into a billion-dollar brand.
FAQs
Who created Minecraft?
Minecraft was created by Markus Persson, also known as Notch, in 2009.
When did Microsoft buy Minecraft?
Microsoft acquired Mojang and Minecraft in September 2014 for $2.5 billion.
Does Mojang still exist?
Yes, Mojang still operates as a subsidiary of Microsoft under the name Mojang Studios.
Is Minecraft owned by Xbox?
Minecraft is part of Xbox Game Studios, a division of Microsoft, but it is available on multiple platforms.
How much money does Minecraft make?
Minecraft is estimated to earn over $500 million per year from game sales, subscriptions, and merchandise.