More likely is Microsoft packaging and selling expansions that mimic big mods, which are always kept compatible with the main game, while constantly putting out mod-breaking core updates to destroy the modding community. "Why make something yourself if you can buy it from us?"
I... Doubt it'll get that bad.
Probably not, but oh god, I had a terrible vision. With the UWP and Windows Store shenanigans detailed in that other thread, you know what I expect? I expect Microsoft will finally port Minecraft away from Java... and then put it behind their Universal Windows Platform. It might even include API, just that it will be integrated into the app instead of the hackfest that modding is today (meaning, also as I expect and as I fear, the only modding permitted will be in the manner exposed through that API).
And it just might work too, because Minecraft is by far the most popular "game" Microsoft owns right now. And not just among "gamers" but among children. Someone else I know fears that Microsoft might clue in to that fact and try to exploit that popularity, making Minecraft Microsoft's "Super Mario Brothers." (Whether that's a good or bad thing, /shrug.) The only reason that putting Minecraft behind UWP would fail would be because everyone interested in Minecraft pretty much has it already; but on the other hand, if you can run the same worlds from your PC/tablet/phone on a whim, maybe there are some more purchases to be had there.
That said, even if they tried, there would probably continue to be a java "fork" based on their last official update.
More likely is Microsoft packaging and selling expansions that mimic big mods, which are always kept compatible with the main game, while constantly putting out mod-breaking core updates to destroy the modding community. "Why make something yourself if you can buy it from us?"
im alpha, so legally they have to give them all to me for free :^]
All they'd have to do is say "Were discontinuing work on Minecraft, but there's a Minecraft 2 now! $40 USD for the base game, check back every six months for new expansion content!." Could also tie in to moving off JAVA and/or into UWP. (I will stress that I have no evidence that they will do that, but rather it is just the kind of moneygrubbing I expect.)
And that's assuming that the original alpha clause legally survives the transition of ownership; I'm not a lawyer, but it probably should, if the binding party was Mojang, with Mojang still being the owner of Minecraft.