Mojang Brand Director Lydia Winters took the stage during Microsoft’s Xbox E3 conference to reveal Minecraft’s upcoming features.
The first is full crossplay compatibility across Xbox One, Windows 10, VR, and Mobile. A friend playing on PC can join a server with another friend on Xbox One. It’s called the Better Together Update. The original PC version, Minecraft: Java Edition, will still be supported.
If you own Minecraft: Xbox One Edition or Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition you will receive the upgrade for free. Additionally any DLC you purchase for any of the crossplay versions will be available in the other versions as well.
Also coming in the Better Together Update are official Minecraft servers. A server browser will be added to the Start menu. Four new servers will launch initially: Lifeboat, Mineplex, InPVP, and Cubecraft. All will have safety features and parental controls in place.
Another free update will add 4k graphics and HDR lighting. If you want even more advanced graphics, the Super Duper Graphics Pack DLC is due this fall. It adds new textures, directional lighting, dynamic shadows, etc. The pack is only available on Xbox One and Windows 10, and is designed especially for the newly announced Xbox One X.
The Better Together Update is arriving later this summer. The Super Duper Graphics Pack is coming this fall.
