For well over a decade, the sandbox goliath Minecraft has constantly mesmerized players. Sadly, despite being a pioneer in the field of building blocky worlds, it has yet to fully realize the promise of the current generation of video game consoles. Recent events, however, suggest that might soon change, and Xbox Series X|S owners might be in the vanguard of this transformation.
Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time and the gap between it and GTA 5“>GTA 5 isn’t even close.
Since the release of the Xbox Series X and S, rumors of a “next-gen” edition of Minecraft have been circulating. For over three years, nothing significant happened, but things now seem to be shifting.
A listing for a port specifically rated for the Xbox Series S/X was recently found by sharp-eyed players on the German ESRB, known as the USK. Such categories are typically indicators of impending game debuts, according to individuals knowledgeable about the complexities of the gaming industry.
Minecraft for Xbox Series has been rated in Germany (USK).
There is currently no native Xbox Series X or S version of the game. This suggests a current-gen upgrade for the game is imminent. pic.twitter.com/r1tHEL4LOr
Andrew Marmo (@the_marmolade) August 17, 2023
Let’s now talk about Ray tracing, the proverbial “elephant in the room.” The public has yearned for this feature ever since the IT behemoth Microsoft demonstrated it in a test back in 2020. Minecraft’s visual style has the potential to be revolutionized by ray tracing, a graphical tool that adds real-time lighting to a game, letting those blocky landscapes sparkle with a heavy dose of realism. Many people’s expectations that this graphics masterpiece would soon become a console reality have been revived by the latest USK listing.
It’s interesting to note that Mojang did tease Xbox fans by unintentionally releasing a preview ray tracing functionality just last year, but it was quickly branded a mistake and removed. But even that tiny taste was enough to leave the neighborhood craving more. It is clear that ray tracing in some capacity has been considered. How soon can players anticipate this leap is the question.
Not just the Xbox community is eagerly awaiting this. Users of the PS5 can be left unsure of their role in this.
Notably, Xbox’s Phil Spencer stated that Sony might be the reason why there isn’t a native Minecraft version on the PlayStation 5. Microsoft and Sony apparently didn’t exchange PlayStation 5 development kits, raising the possibility that this was the cause of the holdup. It would be remarkable if PS5 players never got to experience this improvement, though, given how popular Minecraft is worldwide.
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It’s also important to note that Mojang hasn’t been sitting on its laurels while we’re talking about updates.New DLCs have given the already expansive game new depths of richness, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed DLC and the Trails and Tales update. Therefore, an improvement would be the icing on the cake for a game that keeps reinventing itself.
Naturally, it is indisputable that the game’s backward compatibility feature makes it possible for it to function on Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5. But in terms of utilizing these next-gen consoles’ full potential, that is merely the tip of the iceberg. Unquestionably, the notion of a native version that makes use of these devices’ powerful technology would be revolutionary.
In the realm of gaming, there is always a cautionary tale, even when it is exciting. While mostly factual, listings do not always represent the whole truth. Waiting for a formal announcement from Mojang or Microsoft requires patience in addition to excitement.
Fortunately, the big unveiling may take place during a prestigious event like Gamescom 2023, which is just around the way.
All things considered, if genuine, Minecraft’s next-gen growth is proof of the game’s enduring legacy.
Although Minecraft is made of blocks, its legacy is anything but. If this improvement materializes, the game will be in a unique position to combine the nostalgia of the past with the promise of the future, ensuring its continued dominance in the gaming realm.
Speaking of Minecraft, it’s been a while since we’ve heard anything regarding the Jason Momoa-led live-action version of the game.