Forbes reports that Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts, among others, came forward, expressing interest in pursuing a deal. Discussions with Activision "petered out," the report says. Persson wouldn't talk specifics about what happened with EA, a company he has been critical of in the past. But he did say that Mojang ruled out would-be buyers "who did gameplay in a way we didn't like."
Microsoft's 2.5 billion offer, however, proved to be the most alluring. Sale terms included Mojang's three founders getting a "clean break" from the company and the promise that there would be no layoffs at Mojang. Forbes notes that with only 47 total Mojang employees, layoffs were unlikely to happen anyway.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer orchestrated the deal on Microsoft's side. Though Mojang's business boss Carl Manneh took point on sale terms, Persson and other Mojang founder Jakob Porser spent time with Spencer "over herb-flavored Swedish liquor arguing with them about the direction of the gaming industry," according to Forbes.
Interesting.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-ea-tried-to-buy-minecraft-report/1100-6425648/
