You probably ignored it, but the perpetually popular Minecraft is getting a great big update soon – and in addition to a super duper graphics update, it brings with it the ability to play the block building and breaking game across just about every platform imaginable.
Minecraft’s “Better Together” update will launch for Windows 10, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and VR devices. You may have noticed a platform or two missing there – and they’re all Sony ones. For whatever reason, Sony is not joining the cross-platform play party. What makes it odd is that even Nintendo’s on board, letting Switch Minecraft owners play with Xbox and Mobile Minecrafters like they’re one happy online family.
Says one person working on Minecraft:
We would love to have PlayStation players along with the unified Minecraft, hope that we can. https://t.co/hRGPG8Aj8a
— Aubrey @ E3 (@Chupacaubrey) June 11, 2017
Meanwhile, Windows Central’s Jez Corden seems to suggest that Sony refused to take part:
RE: cross platform Minecraft. Yes to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation refused.
— Jez @ E3 (@JezCorden) June 12, 2017
It’s a similar situation to games like Rocket League, where everyone is keen for cross-platform play, but Sony’s digging its heels in. There’s more reason to grab Minecraft for non-Sony platforms besides being walled in, too. All DLC will be cross platform. What that means is that should you buy a skin pack for Pc, you’ll get access to it on Switch and Xbox One, for example.
“Going forward, the edition you’ll find on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR will simply be known as ‘Minecraft’, a separate entity from ‘Minecraft: Java Edition’, which is the original PC game (that we’ll continue to support, of course). This means when you buy ‘Minecraft’, you’re buying a game that can you can play with friends across devices,” says a blog post on the update.
“Anyone playing the game on Windows 10, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and VR devices will be able to play online together. If you own Minecraft for your mobile or VR device, you’ll get this as a free update this summer. If you own Minecraft: Xbox One Edition or Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition, you’ll receive the brand new version of Minecraft for free, and your existing worlds and DLC will come along to the new version with you. What’s more, any DLC you purchase will be accessible amongst the various devices at no extra charge. (For example: if you buy the Greek Mythology pack on Nintendo Switch, you’ll also own it on the mobile, Xbox One and Windows 10 Editions too – no extra charge).”
That’s incredibly consumer friendly, in exactly the way that Sony isn’t being right now.
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Last Updated: June 12, 2017
Ottokie
June 12, 2017 at 09:24
I actually watched some E3 just to see whats happening with Minecraft. But it was pretty hard to see through the glitter farting every time the word “exclusive” was used, if this update is coming to Minecraft PC. And I mean the normal one that people bought long before Win 10 was a thing.
Geoffrey Tim
June 12, 2017 at 09:30
I think the Java based Minecraft has had its day – there for mods, etcs – but not especially well supported.
Ottokie
June 12, 2017 at 09:36
Ah, ok.
I play almost EXCLUSIVELY for the mods, so I will just stay on the Java based one 😛
Jim of the Banana
June 12, 2017 at 10:07
lol, Microsoft being microsoft!
Original Heretic
June 12, 2017 at 10:20
Minecraft on PS4?
No thanks, I’d rather have fun.
OliverRC
June 12, 2017 at 10:26
This is Microsoft just swinging their dick around as they are the owners. Don’t use the word “Cross-platform” if you really mean “Our-Platforms”.
Geoffrey Tim
June 12, 2017 at 10:46
Nintendo Switch/Android/IoS…not Microsoft platforms.
Pieter Kruger
June 12, 2017 at 11:04
Actually the exact opposite, it’s Sony trying to swing things around…..