by UnfalseDesign on 9/15/14, 1:33 PM with 418 comments
by krelian on 9/15/14, 1:59 PM
I'm sure there are many here that dream of having their idea be a huge success but aren't really interested in becoming the next Bill Gates or Zuckerberg. They just want to cash out so that they can have their financial freedom and then go out of the limelight and back to doing the same things they enjoy but without having to constantly worry about job security and putting food on the table. Notch achieved this in the most spectacular way possible and I think he handled it perfectly.
by jere on 9/15/14, 1:41 PM
It has always amazed me how down to earth Notch is. Now, he's going to be a billionaire doing little game jams. It's hard to believe and quite awesome. It's like Bruce Wayne deciding to spend the rest of his life playing with legos.
by jacquesm on 9/15/14, 1:52 PM
I think that's the essence of being a real game developer.
It's sad that Notch feels this way, I think the majority of old school games guys and girls were just like that.
Since it's become a big business with huge studios and ridiculous budgets the market has been spoiled. But Notch/Mojang and team have shown that there is still a place for great indie games and bootstrappers.
And I actually believe him that this deal is not about the money. Projects like these can become albatrosses.
by scottjad on 9/15/14, 2:32 PM
Notch says:
> If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I’ll probably abandon it immediately.
So sad. Imagine if Jobs/the PayPal guys/etc had taken this approach after their initial succcess.
Now I'm all for people being free to do what they want and only this guy owns his life and no one is entitled to have him work for them (hat tip Ayn Rand), and obviously this guy has had a bigger impact on the world than I have, but I tend to agree with Immanuel Kant (and Jesus) that we all have a duty to develop and use our talents in a way that benefits humanity and not just indulge ourselves in idle amusement once we're comfortable. And to be honest, this probably applies more to me than to Notch.
From "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals":
> A third finds in himself a talent which with the help of some culture might make him a useful man in many respects. But he finds himself in comfortable circumstances and prefers to indulge in pleasure rather than to take pains in enlarging and improving his happy natural capacities. He asks, however, whether his maxim of neglect of his natural gifts, besides agreeing with his inclination to indulgence, agrees also with what is called duty. He sees then that a system of nature could indeed subsist with such a universal law although men ... should let their talents rest and resolve to devote their lives merely to idleness, amusement, and propagation of their species- in a word, to enjoyment; but he cannot possibly will that this should be a universal law of nature, or be implanted in us as such by a natural instinct. For, as a rational being, he necessarily wills that his faculties be developed, since they serve him and have been given him, for all sorts of possible purposes.
by grellas on 9/15/14, 8:37 PM
The question answers itself. There is no earthly reason why he should have. None whatever.
Of course, the price of being a cult figure is many who follow you do not really care who you are but care a great deal about who they think you are. If you are a vital symbol for the cause, then all that you do must conform to the symbol or you become a betrayer, a hypocrite, or both. And that is unforgivable.
And so we arrive at the world of caricature where symbols rule the day, even at the expense of facts. Buck and kick all you want, there is no winning in that world once you fail to conform.
That, I think, is the point of this piece. In effect, it says: "You have made me larger than life. Well, I'm not. I am who I am and I love what I do. If you have made me out to be something more, I can't help that. I am just like the rest of you. No more and no less. If you want me to shape my life by what you think, you will be disappointed. I will shape my own life regardless of your expectations."
Who knows if this really is betrayal or hypocrisy? Usually the reality is much more complex than the caricatures make it out to be but no one really knows except those directly connected with the events.
As for me, I have no ideological axe to grind and can simply stand back and say, as many people likely feel, "that is one helluva ride for one so young to make."
by petercooper on 9/15/14, 1:57 PM
by chubot on 9/15/14, 5:10 PM
He just wanted to make music and play in small clubs. And he went back to playing guitar by himself and making solo albums. (Also heroin use, but that's a different story).
And he rejoined in '98 or so, had 3 huge hit records, and then left again a few years ago. He made a few more solo albums and experimented with electronic music.
Some people are not cut out for fame. The intrinsic joy of what they do is even more powerful than fame.
by willvarfar on 9/15/14, 2:50 PM
by debt on 9/15/14, 3:23 PM
"Then I had another thought: Physics disgusts me a little bit now, but I used to enjoy doing physics. Why did I enjoy it? I used to play with it. I used to do whatever I felt like doing - it didn't have to do with whether it was important for the development of nuclear physics, but whether it was interesting and amusing for me to play with. When I was in high school, I'd see water running out of a faucet growing narrower, and wonder if I could figure out what determines that curve. I found it was rather easy to do. I didn't have to do it; it wasn't important for the future of science; somebody else had already done it. That didn't make any difference. I'd invent things and play with things for my own entertainment."
I think we should take serious stock not only in what Notch is saying here but also his overall success: if you get off making ephemeral photo-sharing apps or a Salesforce clone then keep on trucking otherwise you should ask yourself why you're doing it in the first place.
Are your little projects a ton of fun to work on? Notch makes an all around good argument for pursuing your passion.
by chernevik on 9/15/14, 2:03 PM
I don't know much about Minecraft or whatever issue Notch is referring to in his post. But I'm always struck by how quickly people snap to emotional argument and response, without thinking about the other side of the question, without thinking about how their response will be read or felt by others.
The first step in any dialogue is trying to understand why the other side has said or done what they have, and how that might seem reasonable and right to them. Without that, how do we have any hope of learning anything, or moving to any actual agreement? And yet 98% of what I read presumes that any disagreement must be ignorant, stupid or evil.
I understand many of the reasons why people talk this way, and yes, it's hard to avoid it. But we now have more communication amongst ourselves than at any other time in human history. Maybe it's time to start thinking hard about how each of us can communicate better.
Wouldn't it be great if we could get to a community where some idiosyncratic dude could write a monster hit without feeling himself battered for reasons he can't understand?
by gamesurgeon on 9/15/14, 1:54 PM
I have the utmost respect for notch after reading that.
by Nickoladze on 9/15/14, 1:47 PM
Sometimes I wish he would have just stuck with Minecraft as the only developer and stayed away from the spotlight. Plenty of very popular game creators have done so (Icefrog, Toady One).
I really enjoyed the times back when Minecraft was just getting popular and you could tell Notch was adding features that he genuinely enjoyed (Redstone update, for instance). Then he started up a giant company and started assuming responsibility for things like server admins charging money, when he should have sat back and let people do what they want.
by adriancooney on 9/15/14, 1:47 PM
by tosh on 9/15/14, 2:25 PM
I think more and more people should stream like Notch does. It is incredibly entertaining and educating to watch how people write code similar to how people play games.
A great learning opportunity. Different format compared to prepared talks and tutorials. I wish there was a list of people with programming streams that I can just tune in.
by jokoon on 9/15/14, 5:03 PM
With all the money he has, he could at least try to share or expand his passion in some way.
It's true that he's lucky, you sense the modesty, that he doesn't want to be perceived as talented.
But even if that's true, he could at least try a little bit more. I mean he seems content with his work, but if I had such fame, at least I'd try to use it and approach game companies to negotiate deals, and share his vision of gaming.
Hasn't he ever tried to lead some team and get in touch with programmers he likes to do something ? Can't individuals like him hire a manager to do the job and project his vision into something ? I mean aren't there decent people able to know when there's potential, and solve the relational stuff ?
I mean you can't be modest like that all the time. at some point it's grumpiness, not modesty.
I wish there were businessmen able to notice those modest, hard working loners and just get small companies working with them. Not even companies, just small teams and projects. Some coaching. I wonder what's Carmack's story. I'd love to hear about the work stories of those guys, or maybe hear them talk about work politics. Of course they don't want to, because they might be made fun of, but meh.
by ErikRogneby on 9/15/14, 4:05 PM
I hope when he says "abandon" he means upload it on github with an MIT license.
Seriously though, what a horrible thing to be fearful of creating something that people might like.
by joshfinnie on 9/15/14, 2:23 PM
As soon as this deal is finalized, I will leave Mojang and go back to doing Ludum Dares and small web experiments. If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I’ll probably abandon it immediately.
by 80ProofPudding on 9/15/14, 1:48 PM
by JacobEdelman on 9/15/14, 4:35 PM
by corbinpage on 9/15/14, 4:59 PM
Use the incredible resources you gained from your first success to finance all the cool side-projects you ever dreamed of?
Notch could start any web experiment he wanted, and when he got bored, pass it along to an army of coders to refine and finish.
by cmdrfred on 9/15/14, 4:20 PM
I will buy anything you have for sale.
by bilalhusain on 9/15/14, 1:43 PM
by ianstallings on 9/15/14, 2:10 PM
by blueskin_ on 9/15/14, 1:39 PM
Text: http://pastebin.com/GLuR7T9t
archive.today: https://archive.today/KKNNA
by phlakaton on 9/15/14, 8:01 PM
If there's sadness I see in Notch's story, it's only that Notch appears to see and define his public persona in such a negative light. I wish he could see his contributions and influence on fellow hackers as a beautiful thing. But I totally understand and support his intent to find a new playground, free of expectations, regardless of his success on previous playgrounds. I hope that Notch finds the happiness that he seeks.
(I also hope his comment about abandoning his next project on the first sign of success was more tongue-in-cheek than it came off...)
by sergiotapia on 9/15/14, 2:27 PM
Haha, and who can blame Notch, I wouldn't work a day in my life and become a full time carpenter for the rest of my life.
by craigching on 9/15/14, 2:23 PM
Anyway Notch, good luck to you and I love you too! You really gave us something great and no matter what you do going forward, you can't take back what you've given!
by netcraft on 9/15/14, 1:58 PM
This does make the most sense, in looking at everything hes said in the past. Sounds like MS had the right offer at the right time.
by archildress on 9/15/14, 2:18 PM
I think we all believe we could handle the spotlight and the attention and fame that comes with it. But until we're faced with it, we'll never know.
All the best to Notch and thanks for a game that brought many people many hours of happiness and shared experiences.
by antirez on 9/15/14, 2:25 PM
by dasmithii on 9/15/14, 8:26 PM
These words describe how I've been feeling since the beginning of this year, when I first became a self-described programmer. Before then, I loved playing around with little toy projects, but I never considered myself as a programmer. Instead, I was a regular kid who programmed sometimes.
After realizing that, over some time, I had gained some real skills, I felt obligated to make use of them. It was no longer a playful activity, I put a burden on my own shoulders that my programs had to be significant or important to others in some way.
This sense of importance ruined programming for me. Though self-imposed, the homework-effect took over and I lost interest right away.
I'm sure many of you code for a defined purpose, whether it be profit or world effect. But for me, my computer is a toy.
by rafaqueque on 9/15/14, 2:11 PM
Classy move by Notch. Respect.
by lnanek2 on 9/15/14, 4:45 PM
by pingwing on 9/15/14, 4:05 PM
by tdicola on 9/15/14, 5:33 PM
by huhtenberg on 9/15/14, 1:48 PM
by lubujackson on 9/15/14, 4:37 PM
by mcguire on 9/15/14, 4:58 PM
That is a very nice option to have.
by AnonJ on 9/20/14, 6:35 AM
> If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I’ll probably abandon it immediately.
Frankly I can't think of anybody who would be glad to hear such a almost childish and impetus irresponsible statement. Not to mention from the mouth of somebody who created so many wonderful things altogether.
by diltonm on 9/15/14, 4:36 PM
by jackvalentine on 9/16/14, 8:24 AM
by ryan-allen on 9/16/14, 2:04 AM
A lot of people have thoroughly enjoyed Minecraft, it's a true phenomenon. Hopefully Microsoft do a good job keeping it going (and more importantly, improving it, of which I suspect they'll do a pretty ace job).
by noonespecial on 9/15/14, 5:33 PM
Going straight up _why is about the only way he might create another important work. I'd lay even odds.
by nperez on 9/15/14, 3:51 PM
by seymour7 on 9/15/14, 1:47 PM
by im3w1l on 9/15/14, 5:20 PM
by hyp0 on 9/15/14, 11:44 PM
But since I don't know him, it's for what he represents; how he's handled success, knowing his values and acting on them.
Poor guy can't help being a symbol - a bit like Life of Brian
by GigabyteCoin on 9/15/14, 10:04 PM
This reminds me of the unwanted flappy-bird fame.
What a strange idea for an entrepreneurial mind to read.
by mentos on 9/15/14, 2:35 PM
by nXqd on 9/15/14, 2:13 PM
Thanks for great work !
by e3pi on 9/15/14, 6:33 PM
There is a latin root word that means 'play', `have fun'. There is a philosophy and a religion whose names are coined off this word. Perhaps `ludens'? Hesse's Glasperlenspiel -Glass Bead Game?
Learning about notch here this morning, I see a master living this reality regardless of philosophy or religion nonsense or the noisy crowds.
He `got game'.
by jonifico on 9/15/14, 1:48 PM
by beauzero on 9/15/14, 9:04 PM
by atriix on 9/15/14, 1:38 PM
by sgtnasty on 9/15/14, 6:08 PM
I watched my kids grow up on Minecraft, and how I led them to learning technology, enabling their future. Minecraft is more than just a game, and really the users own it, it's not Notch's anymore.
by dsego on 9/15/14, 9:05 PM
by alexvr on 9/15/14, 3:33 PM
by god_bless_texas on 9/16/14, 1:45 AM
by seanv on 9/16/14, 4:26 PM
by 31reasons on 9/15/14, 5:10 PM
by melvinmt on 9/15/14, 3:05 PM
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman. “I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?” The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.” The fisherman asks, “And after that?” The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!” The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”
http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2010/09/08/the-fisherman-and-the-...
by UnfalseDesign on 9/15/14, 1:42 PM
------------------
I don’t see myself as a real game developer. I make games because it’s fun, and because I love games and I love to program, but I don’t make games with the intention of them becoming huge hits, and I don’t try to change the world. Minecraft certainly became a huge hit, and people are telling me it’s changed games. I never meant for it to do either. It’s certainly flattering, and to gradually get thrust into some kind of public spotlight is interesting.
A relatively long time ago, I decided to step down from Minecraft development. Jens was the perfect person to take over leading it, and I wanted to try to do new things. At first, I failed by trying to make something big again, but since I decided to just stick to small prototypes and interesting challenges, I’ve had so much fun with work. I wasn’t exactly sure how I fit into Mojang where people did actual work, but since people said I was important for the culture, I stayed.
I was at home with a bad cold a couple of weeks ago when the internet exploded with hate against me over some kind of EULA situation that I had nothing to do with. I was confused. I didn’t understand. I tweeted this in frustration. Later on, I watched the This is Phil Fish video on YouTube and started to realize I didn’t have the connection to my fans I thought I had. I’ve become a symbol. I don’t want to be a symbol, responsible for something huge that I don’t understand, that I don’t want to work on, that keeps coming back to me. I’m not an entrepreneur. I’m not a CEO. I’m a nerdy computer programmer who likes to have opinions on Twitter.
As soon as this deal is finalized, I will leave Mojang and go back to doing Ludum Dares and small web experiments. If I ever accidentally make something that seems to gain traction, I’ll probably abandon it immediately.
Considering the public image of me already is a bit skewed, I don’t expect to get away from negative comments by doing this, but at least now I won’t feel a responsibility to read them.
I’m aware this goes against a lot of what I’ve said in public. I have no good response to that. I’m also aware a lot of you were using me as a symbol of some perceived struggle. I’m not. I’m a person, and I’m right there struggling with you.
I love you. All of you. Thank you for turning Minecraft into what it has become, but there are too many of you, and I can’t be responsible for something this big. In one sense, it belongs to Microsoft now. In a much bigger sense, it’s belonged to all of you for a long time, and that will never change.
It’s not about the money. It’s about my sanity.
by hyperliner on 9/15/14, 2:30 PM
It happens to small business owners. Then, people "tell them" that they "must" raise the wages of their employees, without ever having created a small business.
It happens to activists. Then, people "tell" them they "must" support this other cause, when those activists simply want to change a small part of the world that they care about.
It bothers me the most when it happens to presidents. (Pres. Bush, Pres. Obama, depending on your political inclinations). Just simple guys asked to carry the weight of a nation just because they were at the right time, the right place, did the right things, a few mistakes, wanted to change the world a little, and worked really hard.
Maybe all of us who instead of sweating are going for the ride should simply enjoy the game. Just put a few blocks on the game, build a small tiny house, put a glass window, a small bed in there with the tiny cool candle on the wall (my favorite block in Minecraft), and stare out the window. And watch for creepers.
But leave these folks alone to do what we did not do, and let them enjoy a reward for their hard work.
by Nib on 9/15/14, 5:14 PM
This may be the last time a post from Notch makes it to HN Frontpage...
We all know what's gonna happen next, microsft is gonna try to messup with the game, and, somehow, it'll end up dead...
RIP Minecraft
by LeicaLatte on 9/15/14, 2:47 PM
by tbrock on 9/15/14, 1:56 PM
He seems to have an awful attitude for a guy who just made a billion dollars and gets to spend the rest of his life doing exactly what he wants.
by theflubba on 9/15/14, 5:07 PM
by iamleppert on 9/15/14, 1:46 PM