Despite being a place of infinite wonder and joy, Minecraft has, for the most part, had a segmented player base. If you’ve been playing on PC, playing alongside those on Xbox One has been impossible. Until now. A new update is allowing players on four different platforms to play together at once.
The Better Together update is one of the largest updates for Minecraft in its history, primarily due to the size of this undertaking. Anyone on Xbox One, PC, mobile, or virtual reality versions of Minecraft will now be able to play together in online servers. Those playing on the Nintendo Switch can expect to receive this update this winter, adding yet another group to the massive pile of Minecraft builders. PS4 isn’t on the books right now, unfortunately, although the Minecraft developers are talking to Sony about it. More on that in the Better Together FAQ.
Also in this update are new features, tweaks, and bugs. Highlights of those features are:
- Stained Glass, Fireworks (with Elytra boost!), Parrots, Banners, Armor Stands, Jukebox and music discs, Recipe Book, and Book & Quill items
- New world start options: Starting Map; Bonus Chest; Trust Players
- New game rules: Show Coordinates; TNT Explodes; Natural Regeneration
- Player permissions
- Zombie Villager spawn egg
- Expanded Xbox Live multiplayer world settings
- New loading screens with funny and helpful tips
- How to Play screen
- New achievements
- Realms invite links
- Mash-up Packs and Texture Packs will now decorate the main menu and in-game HUD
The full list of features tweaks are on the official announcement, while the bug fixes are just labelled as being “too many to mention.” Apparently, llamas could previously turn their head backwards while you ride them before this update, though, which is a terrifying thought.
For those of you on PC – you’ll have to be playing on the version of Minecraft simply called ‘Minecraft’. With this update, the previously-named Minecraft Bedrock Edition no longer exists, there now simply being Minecraft and Minecraft Java. It’s a little complicated, but: Minecraft is the version that’s the same across most platforms, and the one you have to use to get access to the Better Together update.
Minecraft is getting a huge update with new items, achievements, and cross-platform play