Minecraft the next big software platform?

The last few days in software has been interesting. In fact the last couple of weeks have been strange. And that's just in the Minecraft community alone.
Lets recap:
Few days ago Mojang makers of Minecraft was "officially" bought by Microsoft.
Couple of weeks ago, CraftBukkit hit major issues, DMCA of its code base and all.
So many people have left the bukkit universe that it probably won't be restarted.

Java, past and future

In the past two years a lot has changed and happened. We in (Christchurch New Zealand) have had our lives turned up side down by earthquakes and bureaucracy. The 'skynet' law came into being and all the debarkle about SOPA, PIPA and all the related proposed bills in the United States.
But none of this is what I am here talking about; Java. I am talking about Java and how it has changed.