The deal is be valued at more than $2 billion and could be signed as early as this week, the Journal reported.
"Minecraft" is a game where players build structures with blocks to protect against nocturnal monsters.
The acquisition will add to Microsoft's Xbox video game business, at a time when the competition in the video game console market is heating up.
Microsoft said in April it had shipped 5 million Xbox One units to retailers worldwide since the launch. In the same month Sony Corp said it had sold more than 7 million PlayStation 4 units as of April 6 and was struggling to keep up with consumer demand.
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