Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
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Abyssal Lapidary is making the social media rounds and I can confirm cutting gemstones is just as satisfying as it looks
Abyssal Lapidary offers a surprisingly satisfying experience centered around cutting, shaping, and polishing gemstones. Players manage a declining business, interact with various customers, and engage in the methodical process of mining and refining minerals into valuable gems.
Xbox Wanted A Gargantuan Paycheck To Partner With Netflix On TV And Movies
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for exclusive film and TV rights to Xbox intellectual property, but Microsoft countered with a demand for $800 million. This led Netflix to withdraw its offer, though both companies state they value their partnership. Xbox is now pursuing smaller deals with multiple partners for its various game franchises.
Famitsu software sales (10/12/26 – 10/18/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of October 12, 2026. Tales of Eternia Remastered for the Nintendo Switch 2 debuted at the top of the charts, followed by Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse and another entry for Tales of Eternia Remastered on Nintendo Switch.
Report explores how Roblox can maintain older players as it becomes most-played game by total hours in H1 2026
A new report indicates Roblox has become the most-played game by total hours in H1 2026, attracting a valuable audience over 16 who are more likely to spend money on games. The analysis examines how Roblox can maintain this maturing player base by investing in improved graphics and age verification, while also noting the platform's potential implications for traditional game publishers.
UK software sales chart for the week ending October 17, 2026 – Castlevania, Toy Story make the top 5
The UK software sales chart for the week ending October 17, 2026, shows EA SPORTS FC 27 retaining the top spot. New releases include Castlevania: Belmont's Curse at #3 and Toy Story: Retro Roundup + Toy Story 3 Complete Edition at #4, with other titles like Tales of Eternia Remastered and Bluey's Happy Snaps also charting.
It Took 4 Google AI Agents Over 27 Hours to Defeat the Ender Dragon in Minecraft Without Help From Humans
Four Google Gemini 4 Argon AI agents successfully defeated the Ender Dragon in Minecraft without human assistance, taking just over 27 hours. This achievement is believed to be a world first in AI-driven gameplay.
New launcher for viral AI mash-ups of Elden Ring, Minecraft, and more emerges – with some very questionable terms…
A new launcher called Melty has emerged, allowing users to play AI-generated mashups of games like Elden Ring and Minecraft. However, the launcher's terms of service are highly questionable, and it has been found to include dormant gameplay-recording software without user consent, raising significant privacy concerns.
Nintendo pre-order updates – October 18, 2026 – He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction, more
Nintendo has provided pre-order updates for the week of October 18, 2026, detailing numerous upcoming game releases across various platforms, primarily for the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2. The list includes a wide range of titles, from major franchises like Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda to independent games and licensed properties, with release dates spanning from October 2026 through early 2027.
Japanese Nintendo eShop releases for October 22, 2026
Nintendo has updated the Japanese eShop release schedule for the week of October 22, 2026, featuring a variety of new titles for both the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Notable retail releases include Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and Final Fantasy Resonance, alongside numerous digital download titles.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – October 17, 2026 – Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse on top
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of October 17, 2026, show Castlevania: Belmont's Curse debuting at number one, with its Midnight Edition also charting high. Just Dance: Decades of Hits also saw a strong launch, entering the charts at number seven. Final Fantasy Resonance also made its first appearance on the charts due to pre-loads.
Xbox is crazy if it thinks making Fallout and Minecraft exclusive will work - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Microsoft's consideration of making major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Minecraft exclusive to Xbox consoles is a desperate and flawed strategy. The author criticizes Xbox's inconsistent decision-making and believes such exclusivity would alienate players and fail to revive the brand's former glory.
Why Do Big Games Keep Being Made Playable In Browsers? A Guide To Vibe-Coded Ports
Recent advancements in AI, particularly large language models, are enabling the reverse-engineering and porting of classic video games to run directly in web browsers. This trend, often referred to as 'vibe-coding,' allows players to access titles like Call of Duty and Halo without downloads or emulators, posing a significant challenge to traditional game publishers who are actively trying to shut down these ports. Companies like Microsoft are reportedly exploring similar browser-based initiatives, while others like Sony and Nintendo are issuing takedowns.
Famitsu software sales (10/5/26 – 10/11/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of October 5, 2026. Kingdom Hearts Collection debuted at the top of the charts on Nintendo Switch 2, followed by Rhythm Heaven Groove and Ace Combat 8 on PlayStation 5.
Something Utterly Chaotic Is Happening In The VTuber World
VTuber Vedal987 and his creations, Neuro-Sama and Evil, along with other streamers, have embarked on a chaotic marathon of the survival game The Long Drive. The group is attempting to drive 5,000km across a procedurally generated desert, encountering numerous unpredictable deaths and absurd situations due to the game's physics and their own misadventures. The stream has been ongoing for three days, with the participants roughly halfway to their goal.
Minecraft updates on PlayStation and Nintendo would end, but Xbox is reportedly asking fans how they feel about greater console exclusivity for current and upcoming games like Fallout 5
Xbox is reportedly surveying players about their feelings on increased console exclusivity for current and upcoming games, including titles like Fallout 5 and Hideo Kojima's Physint. A particularly concerning hypothetical question suggests removing Minecraft from PlayStation and Nintendo consoles and ceasing updates for those versions, which is seen as a potentially disastrous move given the game's massive player base on those platforms.
Xbox Has Started Surveying Users About Future Games Being Exclusive – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly surveying users about making future games, excluding Call of Duty, console exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem. Franchises like DOOM, The Elder Scrolls, Minecraft, Diablo, and Fallout were mentioned as potential exclusives. This move aims to gauge player interest in investing in Xbox for exclusive content, with titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution already confirmed as non-timed exclusives.
Xbox Survey About Exclusives Includes A Nuclear Strategy, But Wait Just A Minute
Microsoft's Xbox division is surveying users about potentially making all first-party games, except Call of Duty, console-exclusive to Xbox. This includes potentially removing Minecraft from PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. The survey also polled opinions on making Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and Diablo console-exclusive.
Enshrouded 1.0 Review – Finally Feels Complete
Enshrouded has officially launched its 1.0 version after over two years in Early Access, significantly improving its building and combat systems with more accessible tools and new attacks. The game retains its core survival crafting loop of resource gathering and settlement building, now enhanced with new biomes, dungeons, and a bolstered co-op system via Adventure Sharing. While the story remains light, the hand-crafted world, fluid combat, and versatile building system make Enshrouded a standout title in the genre.
Minecraft’s Verity Is A Top Trending Halloween Costume For 2026
Google's Frightgeist list, which tracks trending Halloween costumes based on search data, has revealed that 'Verity' from Minecraft is a top trending costume for 2026. Verity is a horror web series set within Minecraft, featuring a character that starts as a smiling face and becomes increasingly unhinged. The character ranked seventh on the overall list, with Los Angeles showing the most searches for it.
New Minecraft update adds extra danger to the Ice Caves, and a handy music playlist
A new Minecraft update introduces Brittle Ice blocks to the Ice Caves biome, which break when players or mobs stand on them, with a special exception for the Frostbite Zombie. The update also enhances Jukeboxes by allowing them to play music discs from an adjacent chest in sequence. Additionally, Zombies, Drowned, and Husks are now immune to the Freezing status effect.
