Because mobile

Wow, the Wii cost less than Shenmue.

I wonder what's the most expensive Nintendo game....

20 AAA games for sure, but then we wouldn't have any $2.5 billion joke to laugh about tomorrow.

PS. I'm a Sony fan, and from point of view of Sony I'm sure they would prefer that MS wastes it's money on Minecraft than fund 20 AAA games, but as a gamer I'd rather the industry gets stronger and think buying Minecraft is a ridiculous thing.

I'm a Ninty fan, and I'd love 20 AAA games.

I don't believe in a single system seller (ironic considering that I believe that Smash for Wii U has a lot of pulling power), but I believe in a lot of system sellers.

Besides, Minecraft isn't a system seller, considering that it's on every modern platform aside from Windows (on ARM) and Nintendo consoles.

EDIT: Or, you know, they could blow that kind of cash on a new Microsoft Flight Simulator and get enthusiasts (like me!) and actual pilots and pilot schools to buy XBOnes! Imagine the kind of potential simulating responses from air traffic control might have!

That says a lot about both products, eh?

Yup.

I don't know how microsoft is expecting to break even with this. Indies are usually one hit wonders.

I'm a big company and video games are nothing to me, and i laugh at people who bought my console, so why i would spend this money for AAA ?

It's Minecraft. They're buying a massively successful game that is still relevant and still has legs.

I'm personally not a Minecraft fan, but this game is huge and buying it is a much smarter move than acquisitions like Draw Something or Angry Birds. Those are total flash in the pan type games.