| Net Worth | Salary | Birthdate | Birthplace | Gender | Height | Profession | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.9 billion | N/A | June 1, 1971 | Stockholm, Sweden | Male | N/A | Video game developer | Swedish |
Markus Persson AKA Notch Net Worth
Markus “Notch” Persson is a Swedish video game developer who has amassed a net worth of $1.9 billion. He is best known for creating the immensely popular sandbox crafting video game Minecraft, which has attracted over 100 million players worldwide and generated nearly $300 million in revenue in 2013 alone. After Minecraft’s success, Markus founded the video game company Mojang in 2009.
Highlights
– Markus “Notch” Persson has a net worth of $1.9 billion.
– He is the creator of the widely popular game Minecraft.
– Minecraft has over 100 million players worldwide and generated nearly $300 million in revenue in 2013.
– Persson founded the video game company Mojang in 2009.
– Mojang was acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014.
Early Life
Markus Alexej Persson was born on June 1, 1971, in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up in Edsbyn and started programming at the age of seven. By eight, he had already created his own text-based adventure game. Persson has mentioned that his family faced financial difficulties during his upbringing, and his father struggled with substance abuse issues.
Career
Notch initially worked as a game developer for the company King and later joined another company called Jalbum in 2009. During this time, he helped co-found Wurm Online. In 2011, Markus created Minecraft, a survival sandbox game with a strong focus on crafting. He left his full-time job as a developer to dedicate himself to completing Minecraft.
By early 2011, Minecraft had sold millions of copies worldwide. Mojang, Minecraft’s parent company, continued to expand by hiring new team members and releasing versions of the game for various gaming consoles. Notch has also created other games like “Caller’s Bane.” In 2014, Microsoft acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion, significantly increasing Persson’s net worth.
Personal Life
Markus Persson has gained attention for his controversial comments on social media. He has made statements that drew criticism, such as considering feminism a “social disease” and advocating for a heterosexual pride day to counter gay pride celebrations. Persson has apologized for some of these remarks, but his statements have led to a distancing between him and Microsoft, the company that acquired Mojang.
Net Worth Over Time
As of 2020, Markus Persson’s net worth is estimated to be $1.9 billion. His wealth significantly increased when Microsoft acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014. Prior to the acquisition, Persson held a 71% stake in Mojang, which means he potentially received about $1.7 billion from the deal.
Components of Net Worth
Markus Persson’s net worth primarily comes from his ownership stake in Mojang and the success of Minecraft. He receives an annual royalty of 42% of Mojang’s profits, allowing the company to market, develop, and sell Minecraft. In 2011, Mojang generated revenues of over $133 million, resulting in royalties of more than $56 million for Persson. In 2012, Mojang’s revenues increased to $220 million, translating to $101 million in royalties for Notch. By 2013, Mojang broke its previous records, generating revenues of over $309 million and providing Persson with $130 million in royalties. These three years alone earned him $287 million in royalties.
Markus Persson’s net worth has made him a notable figure in the video game industry, but his controversial statements and behavior have also led to his exclusion from Minecraft events and a distancing from Microsoft. Despite this, his name still appears in the game’s credits.
As of 2020, Markus Persson continues to enjoy his significant wealth and has invested in luxurious real estate, including a $70-million mansion in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. This mansion features extravagant amenities, such as a car elevator, an infinity pool, an 18-seat home theater, and bathrooms equipped with high-end toilets.
In conclusion, Markus Persson, also known as Notch, has achieved great success as a video game developer through the creation of Minecraft. With a net worth of $1.9 billion, his wealth has been amassed through the tremendous popularity and commercial success of the game. Despite controversies and conflicts with social media comments, Persson’s contributions to the gaming industry and the Minecraft phenomenon have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the gaming world.