Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Microsoft, Please Don’t Ruin Minecraft
Microsoft'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.
17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit
Minecraft is introducing craftable cushions and new straw beds in its latest preview build, allowing players new ways to rest. These additions come as Mojang, an Xbox-owned studio, is impacted by significant layoffs affecting numerous gaming companies.
"We miss when genre wasn't a thing," say The Blood of Dawnwalker devs making their dream RPG: "We…
Developers at Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by veterans of CD Projekt Red, discuss their upcoming RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker. Game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and environment artist Adam Payet share their personal journeys into game development and their vision for the genre, emphasizing the importance of deep lore and player immersion. They aim to carve out their own identity within the RPG space, moving beyond strict genre labels.
World Cup Star Erling Haaland Shows Off His Gaming Setup, Wants Xbox To Sponsor Him, And Is Excited For GTA 6
World Cup star Erling Haaland revealed his gaming setup, expressing a desire for Xbox sponsorship and showcasing his enthusiasm for upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. He also mentioned playing on PlayStation and highlighted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Minecraft as favorite games.
Minecraft Is Adding A Highly Requested Feature It’s Been Missing For 17 Years
Minecraft is introducing a new craftable cushion feature, allowing players to sit down for the first time in the game's 17-year history. This update, confirmed by producer Gustav Höglund, adds 16 color options for the cushions, which are crafted using new wool slabs. The announcement comes amidst significant changes at Xbox, including layoffs at Mojang and a restructuring where Mojang and King will report directly to Xbox CEO Asha Shamra.
Minecraft finally adds seats after 17 years, but the potential for builders is even bigger
Mojang Studios has released new updates for Minecraft, introducing functional seats with the addition of Cushions and Straw Beds. These items, available in Java Snapshot 26.3 and Bedrock Preview 26.40.30, offer new creative possibilities for builders beyond their basic utility, allowing for more intricate decorative designs and functional resting spots.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bethesda has removed Denuvo from Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Subnautica 2 will receive an update allowing players to 'stun' fish instead of killing them. The article also briefly mentions new developments in Minecraft.
New Minecraft Update Finally Allows Players to Sit Down
A 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 spawn
Minecraft'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’s New Plan After Brutal Cuts: Focus On The Thing Called Xbox
Following significant layoffs, Xbox is refocusing its strategy on its core business, including its flagship console hardware and major IPs like Minecraft. This shift aims to address issues like spreading resources too thin and declining hardware revenue, despite industry-wide cost increases and component shortages. The restructuring also involves making some studios independent or selling them off.
Xbox retreats again – but to where? | Opinion
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees across various studios as part of a company 'reset' to focus on profitable franchises. This move raises questions about the future of Xbox's first-party strategy, its Game Pass subscription service, and the upcoming console generation, particularly given the high cost of components and the blurring lines between PC and console gaming.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
Xbox Wants To Entertain 1 Billion People Every Day. It Can’t Even Explain How
Xbox 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.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
What Keeps Players Engaged Beyond Their Favorite Games and Why? | Invision Game Community
This 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.
Xbox Moves On From 4 Studios and Layoffs Off Thousands of Others
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, impacting over 1600 employees and planning for another 1600 over the next two fiscal years. Four studios—Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will become independent or be acquired by new entities, retaining their intellectual property. Numerous other studios, including Zenimax Online, Id Software, Obsidian, and Bethesda Game Studios, are also undergoing substantial layoffs as Xbox refocuses on its major franchises like Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, and Minecraft.
Top 20 Best Minecraft 1.20.3 Seeds
This 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 Alive
Xbox 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 collaborations
Epic 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 Sale
The 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.
