I think that Microsoft's purchase of Minecraft was smart. The tricky part is for them to find a way to make Minecraft the face of Microsoft and Xbox the same way that Mario is for Nintendo--with cameos in dozens of games--without upsetting the hardcore indie crowd that made Minecraft popular. I'd love to see more Minecraft spinoffs, including a really solid 2D version that is similar to Terraria, and integration into Project Spark too.
I normally oppose Microsoft Studios supporting competitors' platforms (such as how they inexplicably release games for Steam), but in this case, considering the game is already on so many platforms, I'd fully support them bringing it to even more--Windows Phone and Windows 8/RT with cloud-sync and Xbox achievements, obviously, but also to Wii U, 3DS, Vita, and Oculus Rift (imagine an Oculus Rift version paired up with Kinect!).
However, the bigger question is what to do with future iterations of the franchise, including spinoff games (Mine Kart, anyone?) and, more importantly, the inevitable sequel, Minecraft 2. Do they continue bringing Minecraft to other platforms but then make Minecraft sequels and spinoffs exclusive to Xbox? Permanent exclusives or just timed exclusives? Or, do they do something unheard of in gaming history and make Minecraft 2 completely multiplatform like Minecraft 1? Do they bring it to all platforms but give exclusive features and DLC to the Xbox versions? Or, perhaps, give it away for free or at a cheaper price on Xbox platforms?
Personally, I'd bring Minecraft 1 to every platform and then make Minecraft 2 exclusive to Microsoft platforms: Xbox One, Windows 9, and Windows Phone 9, all with cross-sync play. I'd see how that plays out for at least a year and then, if necessary, port it to other platforms, first with iOS and Android (ugh), and then the Wii U 2 and new 3DS, but I probably wouldn't bring it to Playstation at all.
I normally oppose Microsoft Studios supporting competitors' platforms (such as how they inexplicably release games for Steam), but in this case, considering the game is already on so many platforms, I'd fully support them bringing it to even more--Windows Phone and Windows 8/RT with cloud-sync and Xbox achievements, obviously, but also to Wii U, 3DS, Vita, and Oculus Rift (imagine an Oculus Rift version paired up with Kinect!).
However, the bigger question is what to do with future iterations of the franchise, including spinoff games (Mine Kart, anyone?) and, more importantly, the inevitable sequel, Minecraft 2. Do they continue bringing Minecraft to other platforms but then make Minecraft sequels and spinoffs exclusive to Xbox? Permanent exclusives or just timed exclusives? Or, do they do something unheard of in gaming history and make Minecraft 2 completely multiplatform like Minecraft 1? Do they bring it to all platforms but give exclusive features and DLC to the Xbox versions? Or, perhaps, give it away for free or at a cheaper price on Xbox platforms?
Personally, I'd bring Minecraft 1 to every platform and then make Minecraft 2 exclusive to Microsoft platforms: Xbox One, Windows 9, and Windows Phone 9, all with cross-sync play. I'd see how that plays out for at least a year and then, if necessary, port it to other platforms, first with iOS and Android (ugh), and then the Wii U 2 and new 3DS, but I probably wouldn't bring it to Playstation at all.