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Minecraft "Better Together" (PC/X1/Switch/Mobile): Crossplay, Dedicated Servers+More

Cerium

Member
A free update to unify (almost) all the Minecraft versions into one codebase and feature set. It looks like the official retail title will be Minecraft Ultimate.

Trailer

It was a little surreal seeing a Switch in the MS conference.

9jL7Nef.png

PC and mobile are included in the initiative, if that wasn't already obvious.

A game all about teamwork, building together and creating communities shouldn't be restricted to one device, which is why our Better Together Update introduces cross-platform play, breaking down the barriers and letting people play the same complete Minecraft with each other across devices! We've wanted to integrate cross-platform for ages, essentially making a version of Minecraft that's consistent no matter what device you're choosing to play on.

So 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.

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).

Dedicated servers are coming to ALL "Better Together" platforms!

Independent servers, run by members of the amazing Minecraft community, have been around since the earliest days of the game. They're essentially online platforms where you can socialise, play and collaborate with millions of other players! Basically, servers make it easier for you to enjoy multiplayer Minecraft and access new mini-games, worlds, and friends to craft with! Nice!

Unlike Minecraft Realms, which gives you access to a private, cloud-hosted world for you and your friends, servers are open and accessible to everyone - some have monthly users in the millions!


So this Summer, all platforms receiving the Better Together Update will then have a server browser in the Minecraft start menu. This'll let you search a list of servers which you can join right away! We'll be launching with four servers – Lifeboat, Mineplex, InPVP, and Cubecraft - with more to follow. Plus we've made sure that parental controls and other safety features will be in place, so you decide what your child can access. We'll have a more detailed summary of servers closer to the update. After all, we live to serve(er)! ...sorry.

If you prefer Realms to Dedicated Servers, those are coming too.


Platform exclusive content like the Mario pack are still being negotiated.

When it comes to platform specific content, such as the Switch and Wii U Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, a representative for the Minecraft team said ”We are still working out [if platform-specific content will be available to a player on all platforms] and hope to have more details on that as we get closer to launch."

Slide Deck:

 
Not just that. Its cross play between every platform. Xbox-Windows 10-Mobile-Tablet-Switch.

The only versions not included is Playstation and Minecraft PC Java
 

Vic

Please help me with my bad english
Not just that. Its cross play between every platform. Xbox-Windows 10-Mobile-Tablet-Switch.

The only versions not included is Playstation and Minecraft PC Java
Yeah, the title should reflect this fact.
 
Console handheld future is what Microsoft wants with them positioned as hone console maker. Its clear they are going for the kill on Sony. Software partnerships like this are the next step. I'm happy my cousins and siblings will all be able to play together now.
 

RK128

Member
Nintendo and Microsoft Cross Play o_O?!

Wow um...Nintendo and Microsoft buddy-buddy it seems. Really cool of them to have this feature.
 
Why isn't PS included?
Maybe a dumb question.

Blame Sony. They have been the platform holders this generation most unlikely to play along. Its the same reason why Rocket League isn't allowed to enable Cross-Play between Xbox-PS4-PC despite the developers saying they have the solution coded up and are waiting for the okay to press the button and push it live.
 

Spades

Member
Why isn't PS included?
Maybe a dumb question.

Because everyone said MS was bluffing and were not in a position for Crossplay to work when they said they were open to it. So the ball wasn't in Sony's court. According to many, at least.

Guess they were wrong.
 

Unknown?

Member
Sony has allowed cross platform play the longest. Seeing as Minecraft isn't PC/PS4 at least shows you it's a Microsoft thing.
 
Pretty sure Sony has said something along the lines of "it's not worth our effort" when MS was openly discussing cross-play. So I'm positive this is on them, rather than MS excluding them intentionally.

Because everyone said MS was bluffing and were not in a position for Crossplay to work when they said they were open to it. So the ball wasn't in Sony's court. According to many, at least.

Guess they were wrong.

Blame Sony. They have been the platform holders this generation most unlikely to play along. Its the same reason why Rocket League isn't allowed to enable Cross-Play between Xbox-PS4-PC despite the developers saying they have the solution coded up and are waiting for the okay to press the button and push it live.

Why would they mention the top dog? Or rather why would Sony want to play with them? Inb4 because is good for gamers. Business is a different beast.

Sony doesnt want to is my guess

I bet Sony isn't budging and doesn't want to be included in this.
Oh. Okay.
I'm wasn't aware of the situation. But cool Nintendo is included at least
 

OmegaFax

Member
I'm guessing the Switch version will receive an overhaul and the Xbox One version is going to migrate users over to the Windows 10 edition? Is 4J Studios still maintaining these ports or is the development work getting transferred back to Mojang?

For instance, I'm guessing Switch will get large worlds and possibly the feature set exclusives from the Xbox One and PS4 versions and Pocket Edition games (also infinite worlds)?
 
I'm guessing the Switch version will receive an overhaul and the Xbox One version is going to migrate users over to the Windows 10 edition? Is 4J Studios still maintaining these ports or is the development work getting transferred back to Mojang?

Well, the Xbox version updates have been slowed down for awhile now and the Windows 10 version has been on overdrive. So I think the plan is to get it feature complete with the Xbox version and then just side-updating the Xbox version to the Windows 10 codebase.
 
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