Microsoft is overhauling its 500-acre campus in Redmond, Washington for 2022. The new campus will include 18 additional buildings (Microsoft already has more than 100), alongside cricket and soccer fields and retail shops. While work is set to start on the buildings this fall, Microsoft has commissioned Blockworks to create a Minecraft version of its new headquarters for employees to explore.
CNBC reports that Blockworks, a company that specializes in building Minecraft versions of real-world projects, created the version for Microsoft’s annual hackathon in July. Blockworks has also created virtual Minecraft versions of Disney, Museum of London, and Warner Bros. buildings. Anyone with the Minecraft: Education Edition can now explore Microsoft’s new campus, and the company plans to update it over time.
Microsoft acquired Mojang, the developer of Minecraft , four years ago today for $2.5 billion. While it was originally seen as a boost to Windows Phone and Xbox, Microsoft has gradually been improving the Education Editions of Minecraft and partnering with Nintendo to offer cross-play. The software giant also promoted its Minecraft boss to the head of the company’s games studios earlier this year. Matt Booty’s new role sees him oversee Microsoft Studios, as one of the top game executives reporting to Microsoft’s games chief Phil Spencer.
Read more online: https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/6/18068604/microsoft-minecraft-headquarters-campus-redmond