Minecraft (and developer Mojang) was purchased by Microsoft in September 2014 for $2.5 billion, as you probably recall. However, it looks like Microsoft had the chance to make the acquisition up to three years earlier.

　　CEO Satya Nadella said as much in his new book, Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone, available today via Amazon.

　　Early in Microsoft's relationship with Mojang, before I was CEO, Phil presented an opportunity to purchase Minecraft, but Phil's boss at the time chose not to move forward.

　　For the record, Phil Spencer's boss at the time was Don Mattrick.

　　Minecraft recently got the Better Together update, which activated crossplay between Xbox, Windows 10 PC, mobile and VR platforms. The Nintendo Switch will also join the party at some point during Winter 2017, while Sony's Minecraft versions remain secluded until the company changes policy on crossplay with other consoles. 

　　

New Features:

Stained GlassFireworks (with Elytra boost!)ParrotsBannersArmor StandsJukebox and music discsRecipe BookBook & QuillRavinesCoarse DirtNew world start options: Starting Map; Bonus Chest; Trust PlayersNew game rules: Show Coordinates; TNT Explodes; Natural RegenerationAdded '/tickingarea' command to create areas that still update when no players are therePlayer permissionsZombie Villager spawn eggIn-game host optionsPaper doll viewerOutline selection toggleIn-game player names toggleHUD opacity toggleExpanded Xbox Live multiplayer world settingsNew loading screens with funny and helpful tipsHow to Play screenRemix 3D export functionality (Windows 10 only)New achievementsServer PartnersRealms invite linksMash-up Packs and Texture Packs will now decorate the main menu and in-game HUD

Tweaks:

Rebalanced most of the game sound effects and music, such as rain being much quieterIt is now much easier to see underwater after drinking a Potion of Water Breathing and Potion of Night VisionBlaze Powder is now needed to fuel brewing standsIce blocks are now transparentMaps can now be held off-hand and show the heads of players' skinsLocator maps now track the owner's position, regardless of dimensionWorlds can now be set to Invite Only, Friends Only, or Friends of FriendsVarious improvements and changes to navigating the user interfaceRedesigned button mapping and added Pick Block for controllersRender Clouds and Fancy Leaves can now be toggled in Video SettingsSkins can now be changed from the pause menuChat messages can now be mutedItems picked up are now animated on the hotbarStained glass and banners will now spawn on End CitiesIncreased the default player limit on worlds from 5 to 8 on higher-end devicesBlock placement speed now matches the player's movement speedTemperature decreases with height and it can now snow at high elevationsObserver blocks have updated textures and will now blink red when outputting a redstone pulseAdjusted the color that flashes when mobs are attackedBrick Blocks, Nether Brick Blocks, and Clay Blocks have been renamed to better differentiate from other itemsUnderwater particlesJungle leaves are now transparent on higher-end devices when Fancy Leaves are enabledChanged the sound effects for Creeper explosionsAdded sound effects for placing Eyes of Ender into portal frames and opening The End portal