Markus Persson, commonly known by his online alias "Notch," is a Swedish video game designer, programmer, and entrepreneur, best known for creating the sandbox video game Minecraft.
Markus Alexej Persson was born on June 1, 1979, in Stockholm, Sweden. He developed an interest in programming at a young age, teaching himself coding through various resources. Persson did not pursue formal education in computer science; instead, he honed his skills through self-study and practical experience.
Before Minecraft, Persson worked for several companies in the game development industry. His professional career started at King, a company known for casual games like Candy Crush Saga. He then moved to jAlbum as a programmer, where he worked on software for creating web photo galleries.
In 2009, Persson released the alpha version of Minecraft, which quickly gained popularity due to its unique concept of allowing players to build and explore in a procedurally generated world. The game's success led Persson to form Mojang in 2010 with colleagues Jakob Porser and Carl Manneh. Minecraft continued to grow, eventually becoming one of the best-selling video games of all time.
In September 2014, Persson sold Mojang to Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Following the sale, he announced his retirement from the gaming industry, citing a desire for more personal freedom and time to pursue other interests. This decision was influenced by the overwhelming attention and pressures that came with Minecraft's success.
After retiring, Persson has engaged in various activities:
Markus Persson's impact on the gaming industry through Minecraft is significant. The game has influenced game design, particularly in the sandbox and survival genres, and has inspired numerous mods, spin-offs, and educational tools. His approach to game development, particularly the use of an alpha funding model, has also set precedents for indie game development.
Persson's post-retirement life has not been without controversy. His outspoken nature on social media has led to public spats and debates over various issues, which has sometimes overshadowed his contributions to the gaming world.