# Markus Persson

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Swedish video game programmer (born 1979)

Markus Persson Persson at the 2016 Game Developers Conference Born Markus Alexej Persson (1979-06-01) 1 June 1979 (age 47) Stockholm, Sweden Other name Notch Occupations Video game programmer designer Years active 2004–present Notable work Minecraft Title Founder of Mojang Studios Spouse Elin Zetterstrand ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2012)​ [1][2] Children 1

**Markus Alexej Persson** ([/ˈpɪərsən/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Markus_Persson_Pronunciation_in_American_English.ogg) [*PEER-sən*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key), Swedish: [\[ˈmǎrːkɵs ˈpæ̌ːʂɔn\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Swedish) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sv-Markus_Persson.ogg); born 1 June 1979), known by the pseudonym **Notch**, is a Swedish [video game programmer](/source/Video_game_programmer) and [designer](/source/Video_game_designer). He is the creator of *[Minecraft](/source/Minecraft)*, the [best-selling video game in history](/source/List_of_best-selling_video_games).[a] He founded the video game development company [Mojang Studios](/source/Mojang_Studios) in 2009.

Persson began developing video games at an early age. His commercial success began after he published an early version of *Minecraft* in 2009. Prior to the game's official retail release in 2011, it had sold over four million copies. After this point Persson stood down as the lead designer and transferred his creative authority to [Jens Bergensten](/source/Jens_Bergensten). In September 2014 Persson announced his intention to leave Mojang, and in November of that year the company was sold to [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft) reportedly for US$2.5 billion, which made him a billionaire.

Since 2016 several of Persson's posts on [Twitter](/source/Twitter) regarding [feminism](/source/Feminism), [race](/source/Race_(human_categorization)), and [transgender rights](/source/Transgender_rights_movement) have caused public controversies. He has been described as "an increasingly polarizing figure, tweeting offensive statements regarding race, the LGBTQ community, gender, and other topics". In an effort to distance itself from Persson, Microsoft removed mentions of his name from *Minecraft* (excluding one instance in the game's [end credits](/source/Closing_credits)) and did not invite him to the game's tenth anniversary celebration.[5]

In 2015 he co-founded a separate game studio called Rubberbrain, which was relaunched in 2024 as Bitshift Entertainment.

## Early life

Markus Alexej Persson was born in [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm), Sweden, to a Finnish mother, Ritva,[2] and a Swedish father, Birger,[6] on 1 June 1979.[7][8][2] He has one sister.[2][9] He grew up in [Edsbyn](/source/Edsbyn) until he was seven years old, when his family moved back to Stockholm.[10][1][9] In Edsbyn, Persson's father worked for the railroad, and his mother was a nurse.[1] He spent much time outdoors in Edsbyn, exploring the woods with his friends.

When Persson was about seven years old,[11] his parents divorced, and he and his sister lived with their mother.[12] His father moved to a cabin in the countryside.[9] Persson said in an interview that they experienced [food insecurity](/source/Food_security) around once a month.[12] Persson lost contact with his father for several years after the divorce.[11]

According to Persson, his father suffered from [depression](/source/Depression_(mood)), [bipolar disorder](/source/Bipolar_disorder), [alcoholism](/source/Alcoholism), and medication abuse, and went to jail for robberies.[1][9] While his father had somewhat recovered during Persson's early life, his father relapsed, contributing to the divorce. His sister also experimented with drugs and ran away from home.[2]

He had gained interest in video games at an early age. His father was "a really big nerd", who built his own modem and taught Persson to use the family's [Commodore 128](/source/Commodore_128).[9][13] On it, Persson played bootleg games and loaded in various [type-in programs](/source/Type-in_program) from computer magazines with the help of his sister.[9] The first game he purchased with his own money was *[The Bard's Tale](/source/The_Bard's_Tale_(1985_video_game))*.[9] He began programming on his father's Commodore 128 home computer at the age of seven.[11] He produced his first game at the age of eight, a [text-based adventure game](/source/Interactive_fiction).[10][11]

By 1994 Persson knew he wanted to become a video game developer, but his teachers advised him to study graphic design, which he did from ages 15 to 18.[9][14]

Persson, although introverted,[2] was well-liked by his peers, but after entering secondary school was a "loner" and reportedly had only one friend.[13] He spent most of his spare time with games and programming at home.[13] He never finished high school, but was reportedly a good student.[2]

## Career

Persson started his career working as a web designer.[9][14] He later found employment at Game Federation, where he met Rolf Jansson. The pair worked in their spare time to build the 2006 video game *[Wurm Online](/source/Wurm_Online).[14]*[15][16][11] The game was released through a new entity, "Mojang Specifications AB". Persson left the project in late 2007. As Persson wanted to reuse the name "Mojang", Jansson agreed to rename the company to Onetoofree AB.[13]

Between 2004 and 2009 Persson worked as a game developer for Midasplayer (later known as [King](/source/King_(company))).[10][11] There, he worked as a programmer, mostly building [browser games](/source/Browser_game) made in [Flash](/source/Adobe_Flash).[13][14] He later worked as a programmer for [jAlbum](/source/JAlbum).[16][17][18][19]

### *Minecraft* and Mojang

Further information: [Development of *Minecraft: Java Edition*](/source/Development_of_Minecraft%3A_Java_Edition)

#### Inspiration for *Minecraft*

Prior to creating *Minecraft*, Persson developed multiple, small games. He also entered a number of game design competitions and participated in discussions on the [TIGSource](/source/TIGSource) forums, a web forum for independent game developers.[13][16]

One of Persson's more notable personal projects was called ***RubyDung***, an isometric three-dimensional base-building game like *[RollerCoaster Tycoon](/source/RollerCoaster_Tycoon)* and *[Dwarf Fortress](/source/Dwarf_Fortress)*.[20] While working on *RubyDung*, Persson experimented with a first-person view mode similar to that found in *[Dungeon Keeper](/source/Dungeon_Keeper).* However, he felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode.[21][18]

In 2009 Persson found inspiration in *[Infiniminer](/source/Infiniminer)*, a block-based open-ended mining game. *Infiniminer* heavily influenced his future work on *RubyDung*, and was behind Persson's reasoning for returning the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals to the game.[21]

*RubyDung* is the earliest known *Minecraft* prototype created by Persson.[22]

#### Release and success of *Minecraft*

On 17 May 2009 Persson released the original edition (later called *"Classic* version*"*) of *Minecraft* on the TIGSource forums. He regularly updated the game based on feedback from TIGSource users.[23][13][24] Persson released several new versions of *Minecraft* throughout 2009 and 2010, going through several phases of development including *Survival Test*, *Indev*, and *Infdev*.[18] On 30 June 2010 Persson released the game's *Alpha* version.

While working on the pre-Alpha version of *Minecraft*, Persson continued working at jAlbum. In 2010, after the release and subsequent success of *Minecraft*'s *Alpha* version*,* Persson moved from a full-time role to a part-time role at jAlbum. He left jAlbum later that same year.[20]

In September 2010 Persson travelled to [Valve Corporation](/source/Valve_Corporation)'s headquarters in [Bellevue, Washington](/source/Bellevue%2C_Washington), United States, where he took part in a programming exercise and met [Gabe Newell](/source/Gabe_Newell). Persson was subsequently offered a job at Valve, which he turned down in order to continue work on *Minecraft*.[25][6]

On 20 December 2010 *Minecraft* moved into its beta phase and began expanding to other platforms, including mobile. In January 2011 *Minecraft* reached one million registered accounts. Six months afterwards, it reached ten million.[26] The game has sold over four million copies by 7 November 2011.[27] Mojang held the first [Minecon](/source/Minecon) from 18 to 19 November 2011 to celebrate its full release, and subsequently made it an annual event.[20] Following this, on 11 December 2011, Persson transferred creative control of *Minecraft* to [Jens Bergensten](/source/Jens_Bergensten) and began working on another game title, *0x10c*, although he reportedly abandoned the project around 2013.[1][28]

In 2013 Mojang recorded revenues of $330 million and profits of $129 million.[29]

#### Leaving Mojang

Persson has stated that, due to the intense media attention and public pressure, he became exhausted with running *Minecraft* and Mojang.[2]

I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a CEO. I'm a nerdy computer programmer who likes to have opinions on Twitter.[30]

In a September 2014 blog post he shared his realization that he "didn't have the connection to my fans I thought I had", that he had "become a symbol", and that he did not wish to be responsible for Mojang's increasingly large operation.[30]

In June 2014 Persson tweeted "Anyone want to buy my share of Mojang so I can move on with my life? Getting hate for trying to do the right thing is not my gig", reportedly partly as a joke.[20][2] Persson controlled a 71% stake in Mojang at the time. The offer attracted significant interest from [Activision Blizzard](/source/Activision_Blizzard), [EA](/source/Electronic_Arts), and [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft). *Forbes* later reported that Microsoft wanted to purchase the game as a "tax dodge" to turn their taxable excess liquid cash into other assets.[2]

In September 2014 Microsoft agreed to purchase Mojang for $2.5 billion, making Persson a billionaire.[2] He then left the company after the deal was finalised in November.[20][2]

### Activities after leaving Mojang

"Minecraft 2" redirects here. For the sequel to *A Minecraft Movie*, see [*A Minecraft Movie Squared*](/source/A_Minecraft_Movie_Squared).

Since leaving Mojang, Persson has worked on several small projects.[31] On 23 June 2014 he founded a company with Porsér called Rubberbrain AB;[32] the company had no games by 2021, despite spending SEK 60 million.[2][33] The company was relaunched as Bitshift Entertainment, LLC[34] on 28 March 2024.[35] Persson expressed interest in creating a new video game studio in 2020, and in developing [virtual reality games](/source/Virtual_reality_game).[36][37] He has also since created a series of narrative-driven immersive events called ".party()", which uses extensive [visual effects](/source/Visual_effects) and has been hosted in multiple cities.[38]

At the beginning of 2025 Persson decided to create a [spiritual successor](/source/Spiritual_successor) to *[Minecraft](/source/Minecraft)*, referred to as "*Minecraft 2*", in response to the results of a poll on [X](/source/Twitter).[39][40][41] However, after speaking to his team, he shortly went against this in favour of developing the other choice on his [Twitter](/source/Twitter) poll, a [roguelike](/source/Roguelike) titled *Levers and Chests*.[42]

## Games

Persson at the [Game Developers Conference](/source/Game_Developers_Conference) 2011

### *Minecraft*

Main article: [*Minecraft*](/source/Minecraft)

Persson's most popular creation is the survival [sandbox game](/source/Sandbox_game) *Minecraft*, which was first publicly available on 17 May 2009[43] and fully released on 18 November 2011. Persson left his job as a game developer to work on *Minecraft* full-time until completion. In early 2011, Mojang AB sold the one millionth copy of the game, several months later their second, and several more their third. Mojang hired several new staff members for the *Minecraft* team, while Persson passed the lead developer role to [Jens Bergensten](/source/Jens_Bergensten). He stopped working on *Minecraft* after a deal with Microsoft to sell Mojang for $2.5 billion. This brought his net worth to US$1.5 billion.[44]

### *Caller's Bane*

Main article: [*Caller's Bane*](/source/Caller's_Bane)

Persson and Jakob Porsér came up with the idea for *Scrolls* including elements from [board games](/source/Board_game) and [collectible card games](/source/Collectible_card_game). Persson noted that he will not be actively involved in development of the game and that Porsér will be developing it. Persson revealed on his [Tumblr](/source/Tumblr) blog on 5 August 2011 that he was being sued by a Swedish law firm representing [Bethesda Softworks](/source/Bethesda_Softworks) over the trademarked name of *Scrolls*, claiming that it conflicted with their *[The Elder Scrolls](/source/The_Elder_Scrolls)* series of games.[45] On 17 August 2011 Persson challenged Bethesda to a *[Quake 3](/source/Quake_III_Arena)* tournament to decide the outcome of the naming dispute.[46] On 27 September 2011 Persson confirmed that the lawsuit was going to court.[47] [ZeniMax Media](/source/ZeniMax_Media), owner of Bethesda Softworks, announced the lawsuit's settlement in March 2012.[48][49] The settlement allowed Mojang to continue using the Scrolls trademark.[50] In 2018, *Scrolls* was made available free of charge and renamed to *Caller's Bane*.[51]

### *Cliffhorse*

*Cliffhorse* is a humorous game programmed in two hours using the [Unity](/source/Unity_(game_engine)) [game engine](/source/Game_engine) and free assets. The game took inspiration from *[Skyrim](/source/The_Elder_Scrolls_V%3A_Skyrim)*'s [physics engine](/source/Physics_engine), "the more embarrassing minimum-effort [Greenlight](/source/Steam_(service)#Steam_Greenlight) games", *[Goat Simulator](/source/Goat_Simulator)*, and *[Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing](/source/Big_Rigs%3A_Over_the_Road_Racing)*.[52][53] The game was released to [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) systems as an [early access](/source/Early_access) and [honourware](/source/Honorware) game on the first day of [E3 2014](/source/E3_2014), instructing users to donate [Dogecoin](/source/Dogecoin) to "buy" the game before downloading it.[54] The game accumulated over 280,000 dogecoins.[55]

### *0x10c*

Main article: [*0x10c*](/source/0x10c)

Following the end to his involvement with *Minecraft*, Persson began pre-production of an [alternate reality](/source/Alternate_reality_game) space game set in the distant future in March 2012. On [April Fools' Day](/source/April_Fools'_Day) Mojang launched a satirical website for *Mars Effect* (parody of *[Mass Effect](/source/Mass_Effect)*), citing the [lawsuit with Bethesda](/source/Caller's_Bane#Bethesda_lawsuit) as an inspiration.[56] However, the gameplay elements remained true and on 4 April, Mojang revealed *0x10c* (pronounced "Ten to the C") as a [space](/source/Space_flight_simulation_game) [sandbox](/source/Open_world) title.[57] Persson officially halted game production in August 2013. However, [C418](/source/C418), the composer of the game's soundtrack (as well as that of *Minecraft*), released an album of the work he had made for the game.[58]

### *Shambles*

In 2013, Persson made a free game called *Shambles* in the [Unity](/source/Unity_(game_engine)) game engine.[59]

### Ludum Dare entries

Persson has also participated in several [Ludum Dare](/source/Ludum_Dare) 48-hour game making competitions.[60]

- *Breaking the Tower* was a game Persson developed for the entry to the Ludum Dare No. 12 competition. The game takes place on a small island, where the player must gather resources, construct buildings, and train soldiers in order to destroy a large tower on this island. The game received brief gaming media attention.[61][62]

- *Metagun* is a 2D platformer created for Ludum Dare No. 18.[63]

- *Prelude of the Chambered* is a game Persson developed for the entry to the Ludum Dare No. 21 competition. Prelude of the Chambered is a short first-person [dungeon crawler](/source/Dungeon_crawl) video game.

- *[Minicraft](/source/Minicraft)* is a game developed for Ludum Dare No. 22, held 16–19 December 2011.[64][65] It is a small top-down survival game with similarities to *[Zelda](/source/The_Legend_of_Zelda)* and influenced by *Minecraft*. It is written in [Java](/source/Java_(programming_language)).

## Personal life

In 2011 Persson married Elin Zetterstrand, whom he had dated for four years before.[1] Zetterstrand was a former moderator on the *Minecraft* forums.[9] They had a daughter together, but by mid-2012, he began to see little of her.[66] On 15 August 2012 he announced that he and his wife had filed for divorce.[2] The divorce was finalised later that year.[66][9]

On 14 December 2011 Persson's father committed suicide with a handgun[9] after drinking heavily.[1] In an interview with *[The New Yorker](/source/The_New_Yorker)*, Persson said of his father:[9]

When I decided I wanted to quit my day job and work on my own games, he was the only person who supported my decision. He was proud of me and made sure I knew. When I added the monsters to *Minecraft*, he told me that the dark caves became too scary for him. But I think that was the only true criticism I ever heard from him.

Persson later admitted that he himself suffered from depression and various highs and lows in his mood.[9][1]

Persson has criticised the stance of large game companies on piracy.[67] He once stated that "[piracy is not theft](/source/Piracy_is_theft)", viewing unauthorised downloads as potential future customers.[68]

Persson stated himself to be a member of the [Pirate Party of Sweden](/source/Pirate_Party_(Sweden)) in 2011.[69] He is also a member of [Mensa](/source/Mensa_International).[70]

He has donated to numerous charities, including [Médecins Sans Frontières](/source/M%C3%A9decins_Sans_Fronti%C3%A8res) (Doctors Without Borders).[71] Under his direction, Mojang spent a week developing *[Catacomb Snatch](/source/Mojang_Studios#Games_developed)* for the [Humble Indie Bundle](/source/Humble_Bundle) and raised US$458,248 for charity.[72] He also donated $250,000 to the [Electronic Frontier Foundation](/source/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation) in 2012.[73] In 2011 he gave $3 million in dividends back to Mojang employees.[73][9]

According to *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*, his net worth in 2023 was around $1.2 billion.[74] In 2014 Persson was one of the biggest taxpayers in Sweden.[1] Around 2014, he lived in a multi-level penthouse in [Östermalm](/source/%C3%96stermalm), Stockholm, an area he described as "where the rich people live".[1] In December 2014 Persson purchased a home in [Trousdale Estates](/source/Trousdale_Estates), a neighbourhood in [Beverly Hills, California](/source/Beverly_Hills%2C_California), in the United States, for $70 million, a record sales price for Beverly Hills at the time.[75] Persson reportedly outbid [Beyoncé](/source/Beyonc%C3%A9) and [Jay-Z](/source/Jay-Z) for the property.[76]

### Social media comments

Persson began receiving criticism for political and social opinions he expressed on social media as early as 2016.[12][77]

Avatar of notch notch (@notch) tweeted:

It's ok to be white.

November 30, 2017[78]

In 2017, he proposed a [heterosexual pride holiday](/source/Straight_pride), and wrote that those who opposed the idea "deserve to be shot". After facing backlash, he deleted the tweets and rescinded his statements, writing, "So yeah, it's about pride of daring to express, not about pride of being who you are. I get it now."[77][79][80] Later in the year, he wrote that [feminism](/source/Feminism) is a "social disease" and called the video game developer and feminist [Zoë Quinn](/source/Zo%C3%AB_Quinn) a "cunt",[81][82] although he was generally critical of the [GamerGate movement](/source/Gamergate_(harassment_campaign)).[12] He has described [intersectional feminism](/source/Intersectionality) as a "framework for bigotry" and the use of the word [mansplaining](/source/Mansplaining) as being sexist.[12][83] Also in 2017, Persson tweeted that "[It's okay to be white](/source/It's_okay_to_be_white)".[12][84][85] Later that year, he stated that he believed in the [Pizzagate conspiracy theory](/source/Pizzagate_conspiracy_theory).[86]

In 2019, he tweeted referencing [QAnon](/source/QAnon), saying "Q is legit. Don't trust the media."[87] Later in 2019, he tweeted in response to a pro-transgender [internet meme](/source/Internet_meme) that, "You are absolutely evil if you want to encourage delusion. What happened to not stigmatizing mental illness?"[87] He then also promoted claims that people were fined for "using the wrong pronoun".[77] However, after facing backlash, he tweeted a day afterwards that he had "no idea what [being trans is] like of course, but it's inspiring as hell when people open up and choose to actually be who they know themselves as. Not because it's a cool choice, because it's a big step. I gues [*[sic](/source/Sic)*] that's actually cool nvm".[83] Later that year, Microsoft removed two mentions of Persson's name in the "19w13a" snapshot of *Minecraft* and did not invite him to the 10-year anniversary celebration of the game.[79][88][89][90][91] A spokesperson for Microsoft stated that his views "do not reflect those of Microsoft or Mojang".[77][92] He is still mentioned in the [End Poem](/source/End_Poem) ("a flat, infinite world created by a man called Markus").[93]

## Awards

Year Nominated work Category Award Result Notes Ref. 2011 Minecraft Best Debut Game, Innovation Award, Best Downloadable Game Game Developers Choice Awards Won [94] 2012 Minecraft BAFTA Special Award BAFTA Won [95][96] 2016 Minecraft Pioneer Award Winner Game Developers Choice Awards Won Award formerly known as the First Penguin Award [97]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Excluding *[Tetris](/source/Tetris)*, which is often seen as a video game series rather than a stand-alone video game[3][4]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_1-9) Peisner, David (7 May 2014). ["The Wizard of Minecraft"](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-wizard-of-minecraft-85823/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211122235643/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-wizard-of-minecraft-85823/) from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:4_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:4_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:4_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:4_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:4_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-:4_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-:4_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-:4_2-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-:4_2-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-:4_2-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-:4_2-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-:4_2-13) Mac, Ryan (3 March 2015). ["Inside The Post-Minecraft Life Of Billionaire Gamer God Markus Persson"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/03/03/minecraft-markus-persson-life-after-microsoft-sale/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Gerken, Tom (16 October 2023). ["Minecraft becomes first video game to hit 300m sales"](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67105983). [BBC](/source/BBC). Retrieved 24 March 2026. For this reason, Tetris is usually considered a series, whereas Minecraft is the same game whether it is played on Nintendo Switch or mobile.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Nguyen, Britney (16 October 2023). ["Minecraft Just Surpassed 300 Million Sales—Here's The Only Video Game Still Beating It"](http://web.archive.org/web/20251222090913/https://www.forbes.com/sites/britneynguyen/2023/10/16/minecraft-just-surpassed-300-million-sales-heres-the-only-video-game-still-beating-it/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.forbes.com/sites/britneynguyen/2023/10/16/minecraft-just-surpassed-300-million-sales-heres-the-only-video-game-still-beating-it/) on 22 December 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2026. Because there have been several versions of Tetris since it was released in 1984, it is considered by some to be a series instead of one video game like Minecraft.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gartenberg_6-0)** Gartenberg, Chaim (28 March 2019). ["Minecraft update removes most references to original creator: Persson's name still appears in the credits, but not in main menu splash texts"](https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/28/18285612/minecraft-markus-notch-persson-references-removed-original-creator). [The Verge](/source/The_Verge).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:13_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:13_7-1) Johnson, Eric (9 December 2013). ["Book Excerpt: How Minecraft Creator Markus Persson Almost Took a Job at Valve"](https://allthingsd.com/20131209/book-excerpt-how-minecraft-creator-markus-persson-almost-took-a-job-at-valve/). *AllThingsD*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230416084824/https://allthingsd.com/20131209/book-excerpt-how-minecraft-creator-markus-persson-almost-took-a-job-at-valve/) from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Markus Persson"](https://www.biography.com/business-figure/markus-persson). *Biography*. 21 April 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220227162749/https://www.biography.com/business-figure/markus-persson) from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** Persson, Markus (2011). ["Notch Ludum Dare"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180204001350/http://ludumdare.com/compo/author/notch/). Archived from [the original](http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/author/notch/) on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** Rossignol, Jim (20 August 2008). ["Breaking The Tower"](http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/08/20/breaking-the-tower/). *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120104041543/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/08/20/breaking-the-tower/) from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** Meer, Alec (26 August 2010). ["Person Shooter: Metagun"](http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/26/person-shooter-metagun/). *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111230085048/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/26/person-shooter-metagun/) from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-65)** Bradford, Matt (20 December 2011). ["Markus "Notch" Persson creates Minicraft in two days"](http://www.gamesradar.com/markus-notch-persson-creates-minicraft-two-days/). GamesRadar. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120201201629/http://www.gamesradar.com/markus-notch-persson-creates-minicraft-two-days/) from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-66)** Yin-Poole, Wesley (19 December 2011). ["Notch makes Minicraft in two days"](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-19-notch-makes-minicraft-in-two-days). Eurogamer.net. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120107132813/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-19-notch-makes-minicraft-in-two-days) from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_67-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_67-1) Persson, Markus [@notch] (15 August 2012). ["As of today, I am single. #mixedemotions"](https://twitter.com/notch/status/235746965823033345) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120820073935/http://twitter.com/notch/status/235746965823033345) from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-79)** Persson, Markus [@notch] (30 November 2017). ["It's ok to be white"](https://twitter.com/notch/status/936215345400033280) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved 15 November 2025 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-observer_82-0)** Bonazzo, John (13 June 2017). ["Minecraft Creator Tells Women on Twitter 'Act Like a Cunt, Get Called a Cunt'"](https://observer.com/2017/06/minecraft-gamergate-markus-persson-notch-zoe-quinn/). *Observer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190819231345/https://observer.com/2017/06/minecraft-gamergate-markus-persson-notch-zoe-quinn/) from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-86)** Crecente, Brian (29 April 2019). ["'Minecraft' Creator Excluded From Anniversary Due to 'Comments and Opinions' (Exclusive)"](https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/minecraft-creator-excluded-from-anniversary-due-to-comments-and-opinions-exclusive-1203200050/). *Variety*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200617182835/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/minecraft-creator-excluded-from-anniversary-due-to-comments-and-opinions-exclusive-1203200050/) from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-87)** Valens, Ana (30 August 2017). ["Minecraft's Notch thinks bogus Pizzagate conspiracy theory has some merits"](https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/minecraft-creator-pizzagate/). *[Daily Dot](/source/Daily_Dot)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230409081732/https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/minecraft-creator-pizzagate/) from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:17_88-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:17_88-1) ["From Q-Anon to transphobia, the creator of 'Minecraft' has takes"](https://www.newsweek.com/minecraft-notch-controversy-twitter-transphobic-q-1359020). *Newsweek*. 11 March 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190613214846/https://www.newsweek.com/minecraft-notch-controversy-twitter-transphobic-q-1359020) from the original on 13 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TechSpotRemoval_89-0)** Thubron, Rob (28 March 2019). ["Microsoft removes references to game creator Notch in latest Minecraft update"](https://www.techspot.com/news/79403-microsoft-removes-references-game-creator-notch-latest-minecraft.html). *TechSpot*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200204084533/https://www.techspot.com/news/79403-microsoft-removes-references-game-creator-notch-latest-minecraft.html) from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-94)** Diehl, Travis. ["Forever Mine"](https://nyra.nyc/articles/forever-mine). *New York Review of Architecture*. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

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## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Markus Persson](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Markus_Persson).

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Markus Persson](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Markus_Persson)***.

- [Markus Persson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4573217/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Markus Persson](https://notch.tumblr.com) on [Tumblr](/source/Tumblr_(identifier))

- [notch.net archives](https://web.archive.org/web/*/notch.net)

- [notch.tumblr.com archives](https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://notch.tumblr.com/)

v t e Markus Persson Games designed Wurm Online (2006) Prelude of the Chambered (2011) Minecraft (2011) Minicraft (2011) 0x10c (cancelled) Companies Code Club AB Mojang Studios In culture Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012 documentary film) Minecraft (2013 book)

v t e Minecraft Mojang Studios Xbox Game Studios Minecraft General Development of Java Edition Music Volume Alpha End Poem Minecraft Live Characters Creeper Steve People Markus Persson (Notch) Jens Bergensten (Jeb) Daniel Rosenfeld (C418) Kristoffer Zetterstrand Julian Gough Lena Raine Kumi Tanioka Gareth Coker Spin-offs Minicraft (2011) Minecraft: Story Mode (2015) Minecraft Earth (2019) Minecraft Dungeons (2020) Minecraft Legends (2023) Dungeons II (2026) Other media Books Minecraft (book) (2013) Minecraft: The Island (2017) Minecraft: The Manga (2020) Films Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012) A Minecraft Movie (2025) soundtrack "Steve's Lava Chicken" A Minecraft Movie Squared (2027) Community Skyblock Speedrunning Servers 2b2t Autcraft Blockeley Dream SMP Hypixel Mineplex The Uncensored Library Wynncraft Mods The Aether (2011) Vintagecraft (2016) Tournaments Minecraft Monday MC Championship Impact Initiatives Block by Block BlockWorks Build the Earth Greenfield Merchandising Lego Minecraft Minecraft World In popular culture "G.U.Y." "Informative Murder Porn" Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Herobrine The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft Oasis Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds In YouTube Far Lands or Bust Minecraft Manhunt "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun" Wonder Quest Unofficial books Gameknight999 Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal Category

v t e Mojang Studios Video games Minecraft Minecraft Story Mode Dungeons Earth Legends Dungeons II Other Caller's Bane 0x10c Cobalt Crown and Council Cobalt WASD People Markus Persson Jens Bergensten C418 Hayden Scott-Baron Lena Raine Kumi Tanioka Kristoffer Zetterstrand Parent company: Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [Video games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Video_games)
- [Sweden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Sweden)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Norway Sweden Poland Academics zbMATH Artists ULAN MusicBrainz 2 Museum of Modern Art Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Markus Persson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Persson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.