Java Edition upcoming features

This page is about upcoming features that have been announced by Mojang employees.

Near future
{| class="collapsible wikitable" style="width: 100%" ! style="width: 5em ; height: 2em" | Version ! Planned changes ! style="width: 15%" | Planned release date
 * style="text-align: center" | 1.5.2
 * Minecraft Realms changes
 * style="text-align: center" | April 2013
 * style="text-align: center" | 1.6
 * style="text-align: center" | April 2013
 * style="text-align: center" | 1.6
 * style="text-align: center" | 1.6

General

 * Support for Java 5 and PowerPC users will be dropped
 * If you have a PowerPC based computer and/or Java 5 installed, a warning will be shown at the main menu.
 * An update for the launcher
 * Increases performance and stability
 * Allows LWJGL to be updated, fixing many launcher bugs
 * Supports Multiple Versions/Installs.
 * Self Updatable.
 * New password storing system
 * More user friendly.


 * A major step towards the Plugin API.

Gameplay

 * Regional difficulty
 * The longer you spend in one area, the harder it gets.
 * Minecraft day cycles
 * Potentially seasons.
 * During winter, shorter days and nights.

Mobs
!colspan="3" style="height: 2em" | Other features
 * Various new mobs
 * Horses
 * Player will be able to ride them.
 * Can wear armor and be bound to fences
 * style="text-align: center" | May 2013
 * style="text-align: center" | Account System Update
 * style="text-align: center" | Account System Update


 * Not a game update (will not modify the game itself and will be applied regardless of the version you're playing).
 * The possibility to change your username and the e-mail address that is associated with your account will be added.
 * Global Mojang accounts are already available and can be merged with Minecraft, Scrolls and Cobalt accounts.
 * Once the synchronization has been made, logging into Mojang games is made by using your e-mail address instead of your username.
 * Possible implementation of the long-awaited online synchronization of achievements and statistics.
 * In-game usernames will be changeable, but all usernames on Minecraft accounts have to be unique (doesn't matter if it's a legacy Minecraft account or a Mojang Account).
 * It is unknown how the username change feature will be adapted to server whitelists and blacklists.


 * style="text-align: center" | Unknown (Currently being worked on by Tobias Möllstam)
 * }