Microsoft to announce Minecraft studio purchase today

Microsoft will reportedly announce the acquisition of Minecraft studio Mojang later today.

Reuters claims to have heard from a source close to the matter that the deal will come to around $2.5billion USD.

The report also states that Microsoft is hoping the move will attract more users to its Windows Phone platform, which only has a 2.5% share of the global smartphone market.

Currently there's no Windows Phone version of Minecraft, while last year game creator Markus Persson said it was because the market "is tiny".

Minecraft has been a smash hit since launching in 2011, going on to sell over 54 million copies across all platforms.

Microsoft are said to have big plans for the brand, with Minecraft toys and movies being discussed.