Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Famitsu sales (6/29/26 – 7/5/26) – first week sales revealed for Rhythm Heaven GrooveFamitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of June 29 to July 5. Rhythm Heaven Groove debuted at the top of the software charts with 393,378 units sold on the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch family of consoles continues to dominate hardware sales, with the new Switch 2 model leading the pack.
YouTuber gets Minecraft running on an original Game Boy Color, and it even looks kinda playableYouTuber Game of Tobi has successfully ported Minecraft to the original Game Boy Color, creating a functional 3D version of the game. While not the full experience, the port allows players to walk around and break/place blocks. A black and white version also runs on the original Game Boy.
Microsoft, Please Don’t Ruin MinecraftMicrosoft's new CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly looking to increase investment in Minecraft, drawing comparisons to Roblox's business model. This shift, occurring amidst significant studio cuts within Xbox, raises concerns that Microsoft may alter Minecraft's core gameplay and creative freedom to boost profitability, potentially moving away from its established identity as a sandbox for crafting and survival.- New Minecraft Update Finally Allows Players to Sit DownA new update for Minecraft has introduced the ability for players to sit down, a feature previously only available through mods. This addition is being well-received by the player base for its simplicity and long-awaited implementation.
After nearly 15 years, Minecraft finally lets us camp anywhere in its ever-generating worlds without resetting our spawnMinecraft's latest update for Bedrock Edition introduces Straw Beds, allowing players to sleep through the night and retain their spawn point without resetting it. These single-use beds can be crafted from Hay Bales or found in new Abandoned Camps, which also feature procedural trees. The update also adds craftable Cushions in 16 colors for decorative purposes.
Xbox Wants To Entertain 1 Billion People Every Day. It Can’t Even Explain HowXbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined a goal for the company to entertain over one billion people daily, a target that seems ambitious given recent layoffs and the current reach of Xbox services. While mobile games like Candy Crush and Minecraft, along with other Microsoft titles, contribute to daily active users, they fall significantly short of the one billion mark. The strategy for achieving this goal, particularly through mobile gaming and potentially third-party titles, remains unclear.
What Keeps Players Engaged Beyond Their Favorite Games and Why? | Invision Game CommunityThis article explores the psychological hooks and retention mechanics that keep players engaged with video games beyond their initial enjoyment. It discusses the substitution effect, the importance of social connections and virtual communities, and how dopamine loops and unpredictable rewards contribute to long-term player investment. The analysis also touches on how different genres utilize specific mechanics to maintain player interest and how games can serve as a form of escapism and therapeutic routine.
Top 20 Best Minecraft 1.20.3 SeedsThis guide lists the top 20 best Minecraft 1.20.3 seeds for both Bedrock and Java players, focusing on structures and biomes relevant to the Trails and Tales update, including Warm Ocean Ruins, Trail Ruins, Ancient Cities, and Cherry Groves. The article highlights specific seeds that offer unique starting locations and resource opportunities for players interested in the game's archaeology features and exploration.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself AliveXbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Epic Games settles lawsuit against former contractor accused of leaking unannounced Fortnite collaborationsEpic Games has settled a lawsuit against a former contractor, Hayden Cohen, accused of leaking confidential information about unannounced Fortnite collaborations, including those with Minecraft and Game of Thrones. The settlement prohibits Cohen from possessing, using, or disclosing any of Epic's confidential or trade secret information. This action follows similar legal pursuits by other major game companies against prolific leakers.
Get Discounts On 300+ Items During Minecraft Marketplace’s Summer SaleThe Minecraft Marketplace is holding a Summer Sale offering discounts of up to 33% on over 300 items for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Additionally, a daily Doorbuster sale features two deals per day at 75% off until July 14. The sale runs until July 28.
3 200 sägs upp och 4 studios lämnar XboxXbox is undergoing significant restructuring, with 3,200 employees being laid off, 1,600 immediately, and four studios leaving the Xbox family. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold. The company is also streamlining management levels and appointing its first Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang. These changes come as Xbox faces lower profit margins and a shrinking player base, despite continued investment in Game Pass.
Xbox Announces Biggest Restructure in Company History as Thousands of Jobs Are Cut | Invision Game CommunityXbox is undergoing its largest restructuring, involving approximately 3,200 job cuts and changes to its studio structure. Xbox President Asha Sharma stated the current business model is unsustainable due to increasing costs and slower-than-expected growth. Several studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are expected to transition to new ownership.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wants the company to "entertain more than a billion people" every day: here's why that's a deeply unrealistic thing to sayXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated her ambition for the company to entertain over a billion people daily, a goal that significantly exceeds current industry peaks like Fortnite and Roblox. This statement follows news of Xbox studios splitting off and approximately 3,600 layoffs. While challenging, Sharma believes this can be achieved, potentially leveraging King's mobile success with Candy Crush to reach the ambitious target.
Building Round Shapes in Minecraft: Perfect Circles Guide - Walkthrough, Tips, ReviewThis guide explains how to build perfect round shapes in Minecraft, transforming builds from functional to architectural. It details the use of a perfect circle generator, which employs the Bresenham algorithm to create the best possible block approximations of circles. The article also covers applying these techniques to various build elements like crop circles, fountains, and window frames, and discusses integrating round shapes with rectangular structures.
Xbox appoints Mojang Head of Studios Helen Chiang as its first COOXbox has appointed Helen Chiang, previously the Head of Studios at Mojang, as its first Chief Operating Officer. Chiang will report to CEO Asha Sharma and will be responsible for organizing Xbox's business and investments. This appointment comes as Xbox undergoes significant organizational changes, including studio restructuring and layoffs.
ZeniMax's pivot to big series amid Xbox cuts reportedly isn't a death knell for Doom, Quake and WolfensteinXbox has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring, affecting studios like Double Fine and Arkane, while shifting focus towards established franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls for ZeniMax Media. Despite these changes, core series like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue development. Mojang Studios will now report directly to CEO Asha Sharma, with increased investment planned for Minecraft.- UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove debuts in the top 5, Star Fox still going strongThe latest UK software sales chart for the week ending July 4, 2026, shows Rhythm Heaven Groove debuting at number 5 and Star Fox holding strong at number 4. EA SPORTS FC 26 leads the chart, with a variety of other titles from Nintendo, Capcom, and Electronic Arts filling out the top 20.
Xbox confirms mass layoffs, Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games to go independentXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant changes, including layoffs affecting 3,200 employees and four studios becoming independent or sold. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions are now independent, retaining their IP rights, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have been sold to new owners. Sharma cited an unhealthy business model with low profit margins as the reason for these drastic measures.
Xbox cutting 3,200 jobs and parting ways with Double Fine, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and Undead LabsMicrosoft has initiated a significant restructure of its Xbox division, eliminating 3,200 jobs and parting ways with four studios: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the cuts are necessary due to underperforming bets on Xbox Game Pass and multiplatform releases, as well as a severe hardware crisis impacting component prices. The company aims to streamline operations, reduce management layers, and foster a more efficient development environment.