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[Cuburt]

This update has got me excited about Minecraft again.

I bought a Switch version and a Gear VR version so I can build/mine on TV or in portable mode when I want to casually play and kill time/mindlessly mine, then run around in my VR world. Hopefully I can transfer my Wii U data sooner than later (something that was promised before the launch of the Switch version).

 

[LukasTaves]

Surprisingly, they appear to be mostly on par right now content wise. I booted up the W10 version this weekend for the first time in ages, and much to my surprise they appear to be identical now with regards to blocks, recipes, craft mats, and monsters. I could only find a few differences between the W10 and Java versions now:

1. The W10 version runs much smoother and faster, and it looks cleaner with improved AA and such
2. The W10 version has a much farther draw distance (56 chunks vs the Java’s 32 chunks), super nice!
3. The W10 version does NOT have the crafting recipe book that was added to the Java version recently, seems like an odd omission?
4. The W10 version does not have the advanced world customization options that the Java version has
5. The W10 version has a bunch of preset world seeds you can choose from, with themes like cliffs, town on shore, ice spike biome start, etc.
6. Achievements are different between the two versions.

So for the most part they are very similar now, with a few pros and cons on both sides. I’m considering abandoning the Java version now and moving to the W10 version today. It will be curious to see how the upcoming Better Together update and the new Bedrock Engine impacts the differences between the two. I’ve a hunch that the Java Edition is about to be left in the dust, but personally as a long time alpha Minecraft player, I’m fine with that. Java has held the game back for a long time, and I welcome a new and better engine for the future of the game. It’s time.

They still treat Java as the main version, in fact at E3 they said they are now developing the Java version faster than ever. Everything will be added to the Java first and only pushed to other versions afterwards.

 

[jroc74]

Seems to me that Sony just doesn't want to share the money on the cross-buy stuff since they already have a large portion of the vanilla userbase.

I think some of us can agree that whatever the reason is Sony feels its in their best interest to not do cross play. Its not to protect us or the children, lol.

That said.....

As someone who experienced trying to play local co op on Terraria and Minecraft with a PC, PS3, PS4, 360 and XBO S in the home...cross play would have saved me alot of headaches and some money.

Bottom line, I wound up getting Terraria and Minecraft for all 5 platforms.

 

[Rellik]

Yeah, the cross buy is big. Why would anyone buy anything for the PS4 version? At least among Minecraft players I know, they all have it on multiple systems. Those people probably won't touch the PS4 version, even if they own it already.

I only own the PS4 version because I'm an idiot who purchased a console from this joke of a company.

I know which console I'll be going with next gen.

 

[MCN]

I only own the PS4 version because I'm an idiot who purchased a console from this joke of a company.

I know which console I'll be going with next gen.

I can see this biting them hard in the ass next gen. That is what always happens when you become bullish and take your username for granted. You'd think Sony would have learned after last time.

 

[Mael]

I can see this biting them hard in the ass next gen. That is what always happens when you become bullish and take your username for granted. You'd think Sony would have learned after last time.

Well on psn that is certainly the case...

 

[Sony]

Crossplay across all better together platforms... Dedicates servers... Unified marketplace across Xbox, Switch and mobile?? This is one hell of a consumer friendly update.

 

[KillLaCam]

Good job Sony. Protecting us from those scary upgraded graphics. Smh

 

[Sweep14]

Good job Sony. Protecting us from those scary upgraded graphics. Smh

With an Xbox live login required to play this better together update, it was clear as rock that Sony would not allow it.

 

[SuperSah]

Will buy it on Switch for the first time because of this.

Smart, smart move!

 

[sangreal]

With an Xbox live login required to play this better together update, it was clear as rock that Sony would not allow it.

Just like all those EA games they block for requiring a separate account

Why are you making excuses that Sony themselves haven't bothered to make?

 

[5taquitos]

Just like all those EA games they block for requiring a separate account

Why are you making excuses that Sony themselves haven't bothered to make?

Not defending anything, but EA game accounts don't improve the look of Sony's competitor. Creating Xbox Live accounts does improve the stats of their competitor. So that comparison doesn't work.

 

[gamz]

Not defending anything, but EA game accounts don't improve the look of Sony's competitor. Creating Xbox Live accounts does improve the stats of their competitor. So that comparison doesn't work.

I don't think they count those stats. If that was the case it would be far more then 55M MAUs.

 

[etta]

Lol Sony.

 

[Herp Derpington]

They still treat Java as the main version, in fact at E3 they said they are now developing the Java version faster than ever. Everything will be added to the Java first and only pushed to other versions afterwards.

Yeah but if the turnaround time isn't too long does it matter? They're always gonna throw the Java crowd a bone and it's an easy platform to debut stuff on since you can almost treat it as a beta. I think it's pretty obvious though they're gearing up to make the Win10 version the "main" platform.

 

[Sweep14]

Just like all those EA games they block for requiring a separate account

Why are you making excuses that Sony themselves haven't bothered to make?

EA is not a direct competitor for Sony, MS is. Nobody's making excuses here. There's nothing to excuse. IMHO Minecraft is a useless and boring "game" I don't give a damn about it.

 

[Stallion Dan]

It doesn't sound like it. Sony is fucking this up.

Lack off crossplay is no reason not to give PS version other updates.

 

[funkystudent]

Not defending anything, but EA game accounts don't improve the look of Sony's competitor. Creating Xbox Live accounts does improve the stats of their competitor. So that comparison doesn't work.

Its one of those things Sony probably never expected.

"no you cant use Xbox Live to power your online on PS4" seems like a total reasonable thing exempt when you try and just view Microsoft as a publisher, XBL as their Uplay / EA log in / Bungie.net and Minecraft as a game they happen to publish.


Its a weird, weird thing.

Still. It should always be noted how little "Microsoft" is in the PSN version of minecraft.

Mojang / Sony are the retail publishers on PlayStation.
Microsoft is the official publisher on Switch.

Microsoft Game Studios gets a slash screen on boot on Switch.
Its just Mojang and 4J on PS4.

No mention of Microsoft anywhere on the PSN store page either.


Its like Sony doesnt want to let the words Microsoft on their console. LOL.

 

[Cerium]

Minecraft is a useless and boring "game" I don't give a damn about it.

Then why are you here?

 

[VeeP]

EA is not a direct competitor for Sony, MS is. Nobody's making excuses here. There's nothing to excuse. IMHO Minecraft is a useless and boring "game" I don't give a damn about it.

How would using Xbox Live accounts cause this type of problem? I don't see it. There's nothing unique or special about this, there's nothing to make users jump ship.

Sony should've just stopped Minecraft from coming to PS4 as well. Microsoft is a direct competitor and they make money off Minecraft. They should've never allowed Skype on Vita. Microsoft is a direct competitor, and make money off of Skype on Vita.

If you don't give a damn, you don't care about other PS4 Minecraft users? Oh wait, I know the answer.

 

[gamz]

EA is not a direct competitor for Sony, MS is. Nobody's making excuses here. There's nothing to excuse. IMHO Minecraft is a useless and boring "game" I don't give a damn about it.

And yet you are posting here.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Minecraft modding is huge and stellar looking graphics packs have been around longer than the PS4 and Xbox One have

Yep. But honestly I'm excited about native shaders, not only because they're coming to a less-technically janky version of the game, but also because, taste aside, they're waaaaay nicer than any shaders I've seen, with added abilities I haven't seen any shader pack offer (the ground/water fog and mist being the prime example.)

 

[KratosEnergyDrink]

EA is not a direct competitor for Sony, MS is. Nobody's making excuses here. There's nothing to excuse. IMHO Minecraft is a useless and boring "game" I don't give a damn about it.

Some think Minecraft is boring, some think Call of Duty is boring, some think Uncharted is boring.

Nonetheless Minecraft is the most successful game of our time and the PS4 has now the worst version by far.

Nothing to spin here, this is very bad for the PlayStation brand. Especially because many young kids play Minecraft and this will harm the Sony and PlayStation brand in their eyes. Youtube Minecrafter already shit on Sony.

 

[etta]

Imagine Minecraft 2 skipping PlayStation because cross-play is built-in.

 

[T-0800]

Probably mentioned before but why are MS blocking updates to PS4 just because of no cross play?

 

[Cerium]

Imagine Minecraft 2 skipping PlayStation because cross-play is built-in.

This is basically Minecraft 2. This is as close to Minecraft 2 as we'll ever get.

Probably mentioned before but why are MS blocking updates to PS4 just because of no cross play?

MS isn't blocking updates, the PS4 version will continue to get the same updates from 4J that Wii U, 360, and Vita are getting.

They declined the new version that's coming to PC, Mobile, Xbone, and Switch and so they won't be getting the updates coming to that version.

 

[Vanillalite]

People on the fence about the Switch version my daughter just gave it a thumbs up when I asked would she recommend. She's playing it now as I type this. Lol

 

[T-0800]

This is basically Minecraft 2. This is as close to Minecraft 2 as we'll ever get.


MS isn't blocking updates, the PS4 version will continue to get the same updates from 4J that Wii U, 360, and Vita are getting.

Why aren't they getting new content then I should have said? How does cross play have anything to do with that? Seems like both sides are being petty.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

Probably mentioned before but why are MS blocking updates to PS4 just because of no cross play?

They're not blocking updates so much as Sony are rejecting those updates.

The new Minecraft update is built from the ground up around a unified codebase which includes crossplay and crossbuying of DLC. The whole point is to have every platform running the same version of Minecraft, so if Sony don't want half of those features then they don't get the update because crossplay is built into it.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Yeah but if the turnaround time isn't too long does it matter? They're always gonna throw the Java crowd a bone and it's an easy platform to debut stuff on since you can almost treat it as a beta. I think it's pretty obvious though they're gearing up to make the Win10 version the "main" platform.

As long as they bring the W10 version to Mac (which considering they're bringing it to iOS shouldn't be an issue) I'm fine with losing the Java game as legacy relatively soon.

 

[Spyder_Monkey]

I only own the PS4 version because I'm an idiot who purchased a console from this joke of a company.

I know which console I'll be going with next gen.

When Sony inevitably does do crossplay (and it will) everybody's going to love them again including you.

 

[zMiiChy-]

Fuck you Sony.
Minecraft is bigger than any game that will EVER release on your platform.

 

[modernmalady]

Well. Might be double dipping on the Switch if Sony doesn't get their shit together.

 

[Cerium]

Why aren't they getting new content then I should have said?

Because Sony doesn't want the new content? This really shouldn't be complicated.

 

[Herp Derpington]

Lack off crossplay is no reason not to give PS version other updates.

Probably mentioned before but why are MS blocking updates to PS4 just because of no cross play?

It's a power play on Microsoft's side for sure. That's beside the point though. Sony needs to back down and just accept it. The game is big enough where they need to just swallow their pride and get onboard. It'll be interesting to see how it affects them, if at all.

 

[Huge Succeeded]

Why aren't they getting new content then I should have said? How does cross play have anything to do with that? Seems like both sides are being petty.

The Better Together update is meant to

- consolidate Minecraft's ongoing development

and

- unify its communities across all platforms.

To that end, most versions of the game are being aligned to a common codebase, where updates can be pushed simultaneously and with parity. The PS4 version is not, because it cannot enjoy the most major benefits of the Better Together update without the cross-play support.

One of the most important parts of the Better Together update is dedicated server support. Mojang will themselves supply four large dedicated servers housing infinite worlds which can support thousands of players at any given time. These dedicated servers will be backed by online presence. Websites, discussion forums, the like. These dedicated servers are cross-play, keeping them unfragmented and unifying the community in a big way. Dedicated server support already existed on PC and mobile platforms (and they're the reasons why those are MC's most popular platforms - online dedicated servers are Minecraft's defining mode of play). Now, they're not only going to be available on every platform - they'll be unfragmented. Anyone can join any server from any platform. That's huge for Minecraft and its overarching community. And so, Mojang would have to be willing to fragment that community, providing PS4-only dedicated servers with their own separate web presence, in order to enable some weak semblance parity there. Going against half the intent of this update/upgrade.

There's also dlc purchases, which will become platform agnostic and carry over to every other platform, but when purchased on PS4, they won't. There's local play and online play with other platforms in their worlds, which PS4 version won't have. And the Super Duper Grafix pack. Because the PS4 version isn't getting the engine upgrade, because it'd necessitate its own team to develop bespoke updates for a version of the game that can't interface with the rest of them, a version of the game that would need its own updates separate from the one update pushed to the rest of the contemporary platforms - a problem that Mojang is trying to eliminate almost entirely by consolidating MC development into one overarching version for many platforms.

So, in other words, it would be self-defeating for Mojang to spend the time, effort, and money to upgrade Minecraft for PS4, when Minecraft players on PS4 ultimately still would not be able to utilize the main benefits of the Better Together update.

 

[jelly]

While I could imagine Mojang just turning off cross play features for PS4, you have look deeper, it seems under the hood and the feature set would mean support and providing servicing for two different games and player bases when their aim was one. Sony just have to lump it unless they change their mind. Think Mojang and Microsoft have a good idea here that isn't some undermine mission to destroy Sony so they should back down and jump on board. Hope Microsoft stick to their stance, good for everyone.

 

[Trup1aya]

Seems to me that Sony just doesn't want to share the money on the cross-buy stuff since they already have a large portion of the vanilla userbase.

But they don't though... they likely have the smallest portion, outside of the Switch.

 

[Trup1aya]

Not defending anything, but EA game accounts don't improve the look of Sony's competitor. Creating Xbox Live accounts does improve the stats of their competitor. So that comparison doesn't work.

Why would Sony give a damn about xbl stats?

Sony's concern is selling as many systems, games, DLC, and services as possible.

Xbl stats boosted my Minecraft would have no effect effect on their ability to do that.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

I ask what about cross play makes it a necessity to run this update?

Or is this just a petty punishment for opting out?

If we're going to whine about anti-consumer, let's look at both sides of the blade.

Edit: I see some folks have tried offering "why"s but still not making any sense. Just because they all share a server, doesn't mean they don't have to design for each system.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

I ask what about cross play makes it a necessity to run this update?

Or is this just a petty punishment for opting out?

If we're going to whine about anti-consumer, let's look at both sides of the blade.

It's been answered repeatedly, just look three or four posts up the page for the most recent example.

 

[Trup1aya]

I ask what about cross play makes it a necessity to run this update?

Or is this just a petty punishment for opting out?

If we're going to whine about anti-consumer, let's look at both sides of the blade.

Edit: I see some folks have tried offering "why"s but still not making any sense. Just because they all share a server, doesn't mean they don't have to design for each system.

Why would ms devote special attention to the platform that isn't participating in the ecosystem?

 

[5taquitos]

Why would Sony give a damn about xbl stats?

Sony's concern is selling as many systems, games, DLC, and services as possible.

Xbl stats boosted my Minecraft would have no effect effect on their ability to do that.

Xbox Live stats are used directly in Xbox marketing, thus increasing brand awareness for Sony's direct competitor. The numbers matter.

Look, I'm not saying this is a good decision, just explaining a theory on how they might be approaching it.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

It's been answered repeatedly, just look three or four posts up the page for the most recent example.

I've edited. Those aren't answers.

What about PS4 having a "fence" makes its yard different from the other platforms? Laziness in offering content on a separate marketplace? Having no fences between the others doesn't magically make the content work, right? So it's basically a combination of pettiness and laziness. Just like you make separate discs for different machines.

Why would ms devote special attention to the platform that isn't participating in the ecosystem?

Would they not get money? Do they not have their own?

 

[TDonk]

This is basically Minecraft 2. This is as close to Minecraft 2 as we'll ever get.

As if.

 

[Black_Red]

I was going to gift my sister a PS4, but since her friends mainly play minecraft on smartphones and PC I hoping Sony reconsider their stance or I'll have to buy her a switch (that is very expensive here )

 

[gamz]

I've edited. Those aren't answers.

What about PS4 having a "fence" makes its yard different from the other platforms? Laziness in offering content on a separate marketplace? Having no fences between the others doesn't magically make the content work, right? So it's basically a combination of pettiness and laziness. Just like you make separate discs for different machines.


Would they not get money? Do they not have their own?

Simple, because they don't have to and defeats the whole purpose of the new release.

The only one that suffers is Sony's userbase. That's it. You are being ridiculous.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

I don't play Minecraft so I have no stake in this. I just find it odd.

You don't brand a graphics update as part of "better together" when it means jack shit regarding the actual content and it's more about making a statement.

 

[Trup1aya]

Xbox Live stats are used directly in Xbox marketing, thus increasing brand awareness for Sony's direct competitor. The numbers matter.

Look, I'm not saying this is a good decision, just explaining a theory on how they might be approaching it.

the stats themselves don't create brand awareness. Also The stats are completely arbitrary- What do consumers care about? # of subscriptions? Number of total users? MAU? Actually none of that. They care about whether or not the service is delivering the experience they crave. Ironically, Sony is not only making PSN less attractive for minecraft players, but the negativity they are generating is just driving people to other platforms where they'll create xbl accounts and play Minecraft.

I really don't think this is the mindset at play here,

 

[Bsigg12]

I've edited. Those aren't answers.

What about PS4 having a "fence" makes its yard different from the other platforms? Laziness in offering content on a separate marketplace? Having no fences between the others doesn't magically make the content work, right? So it's basically a combination of pettiness and laziness. Just like you make separate discs for different machines.


Would they not get money? Do they not have their own?

They built the Better Together update and the Bedrock engine around crossplay and unifying the stores for the skin packs and textures to allow them to work across all platforms. Seemingly a requirement for getting the update, and really the main one, is that the platform allows the user to login to Xbox Live to be able to access their purchases across any platform they wish to play. It consolidates where the content is which a) makes it easier for Mojang to push new packs b) allow for user created texture packs across all versions and c) allow a user to use it on whatever platform they wish.

Going forward, the PS4 version will be lumped in with the rest of the legacy versions because Sony won't allow that system to function. It's not that hard to understand.