Microsoft reportedly spending $2billion on Minecraft maker

Microsoft is allegedly close to sealing a deal for Minecraft developer Mojang, all for an impressive $2billion USD.

Neither Microsoft or Mojang founder Markus "Notch" Persson have commented publicly, but The Wall Street Journal reports that the deal could be done by the end of the week.

Bloomberg has also published an article claiming Persson was the one who initiated the deal, after he became good friends with Xbox boss Phil Spencer.

Persson, according to a source, will leave the company for good once the deal is complete.

Minecraft has sold over 50 million copies since launching in 2009, with the Xbox 360 versions making up a large portion of that figure, and last year alone Mojang made $100 million USD.

It's unclear what would happen to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PS Vita versions of Minecraft should a deal with Microsoft go through.