Microsoft’s Addictive Video Game ‘Minecraft’ Reaches China
Microsoft ( MSFT ) has signed a deal with NetEase ( NTES ) to distribute the wildly popular video game “Minecraft” in China. Under the five-year deal, Chinese online services firm NetEase will introduce versions of the sandbox, or world-building, game for personal computers and mobile devices in China. “Minecraft” already has more than 100 million registered players worldwide. “We are excited to bring Minecraft to Chinese audiences, and expect our large online community to embrace this pre-eminent game,” NetEase founder and CEO William Ding said in a statement . Microsoft bought “Minecraft” developer Mojang for $2.5 billion in September 2014. Tencent Eyes Supercell Investment In other gaming news, Chinese Internet company Tencent Holdings ( TCEHY ) is in talks with SoftBank ( SFTBY ) to buy the Japanese telecom giant’s majority stake in Supercell, the Finland-based maker of some of the world’s most popular mobile games, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday . SoftBank owns 73% of Supercell, which last year was valued at $5.25 billion, the Journal said. Supercell is best known for its combat games “Clash of Clans” and “Clash Royale.” Tencent is a leader in PC games thanks to its purchase of U.S.-based Riot Games, maker of “League of Legends.” And last year, it bought minority stakes in mobile game publishers Glu Mobile ( GLUU ) and Pocket Gems. RELATED: Britney Spears Game Lifts Glu, But Big Publishers Winning