Markus Persson

Overview

Markus Alexej Persson, more famously known as 'Notch', is a Swedish video game programmer and designer who achieved international recognition as the creator of the sandbox video game Minecraft. This timeline outlines key moments in his life, from his early fascination with computers to his groundbreaking success and eventual departure from Mojang.

Main Milestones

Birth and Early Childhood

June 1, 1979

Markus Alexej Persson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Even from a young age, he displayed an aptitude for computers, thanks to the Commodore 128 his father brought home when Markus was just seven years old. This sparked a lifelong passion that would eventually define his career.

Early Programming Ventures

Early 1990s

During his childhood and teen years, Notch started experimenting with programming in BASIC and assembly language. He created several small games and demos, showcasing his talent and growing skills in software development. These early projects served as a foundation for his future endeavors.

Professional Programmer

2000s

Before his breakout success with Minecraft, Persson worked as a game developer for several companies, including Midasplayer (later King.com) and jAlbum. These experiences allowed him to hone his skills in Java programming and game development, providing valuable insights into the industry.

Creation of Minecraft

2009

Persson began developing Minecraft as a side project. Inspired by games like Infiniminer, he combined voxel-based graphics with sandbox gameplay, where players could build anything their imagination allowed. The game quickly gained popularity through online forums and word-of-mouth.

Minecraft's Rapid Rise

2010 - 2011

Minecraft went from an alpha stage to a full release, experiencing explosive growth in popularity. Its open-ended gameplay, coupled with a thriving online community, captured the attention of millions of players worldwide. This period marked Notch's transition from independent developer to global game icon.

Founding Mojang

2010

To manage Minecraft's burgeoning success, Persson co-founded Mojang Specifications (later Mojang AB) with Carl Manneh and Jakob Porsér. This allowed them to expand the development team and focus on further improving and expanding Minecraft.

Acquisition by Microsoft

September 15, 2014

Microsoft acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion. This deal marked a significant turning point for both Minecraft and Persson. While Minecraft continued to flourish under Microsoft's ownership, Persson decided to leave Mojang shortly after the acquisition, seeking new creative challenges.

Pursuit of New Projects

Post-Mojang

After leaving Mojang, Persson has largely stayed out of the public spotlight and worked on smaller, independent projects. He has also invested in various tech companies. This period is marked by a shift in focus from large-scale game development to exploring new avenues in technology and personal interests.