Microsoft are to launch an " education edition " of Minecraft that will offer teachers new ways to use the popular world - building video game in a range of subjects . Microsoft paid £ 2.5bn for the developer of Minecraft , Mojang , last year and bought the 4-year old MinecraftEdu version of the game from Finland - based independent developer , TeacherGaming , and now promises to add features , however , they will face extra costs . Over 7,000 schools already use Minecraft in some form , however , Microsoft says that once they make the game easier for schools they predict the number of classrooms will significantly grow . Sounds more fun than the classes I’m used to, at least. At the same time , it will also help Microsoft promote its word processing , email and file - sharing apps over rival services from Google and others .
Microsoft are to launch an " education edition " of Minecraft that will offer teachers new ways to use the popular world - building video game in a range of subjects . Microsoft paid £ 2.5bn for the developer of Minecraft , Mojang , last year and bought the 4-year old MinecraftEdu version of the game from Finland - based independent developer , TeacherGaming , and now promises to add features , however , they will face extra costs . Over 7,000 schools already use Minecraft in some form , however , Microsoft says that once they make the game easier for schools they predict the number of classrooms will significantly grow . At the same time , it will also help Microsoft promote its word processing , email and file - sharing apps over rival services from Google and others .