The Better Together Update is an upcoming update to Pocket Edition (Android, iOS and Kindle Fire only) and Windows 10 Edition, and a new version of the Xbox One Edition and Nintendo Switch Edition, with no set release date. It will be released for Pocket Edition as version 1.2, and as a new version for the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Beta testing for the update began on July 31, 2017.[1] According to the Better Together FAQ,[2] it will release in fall 2017. The update for the Xbox One Edition will be free to gamers who own a digital copy or have played the disc version for at least 5 hours in the past 12 months. The legacy versions for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One will no longer receive updates once the full version is released.[3]
The official name for the update, Better Together Update, reflects the planned addition of cross-platform compatibility between the Pocket Edition (Android/iOS only), Windows 10 Edition, Xbox One Edition, Gear VR Edition, and Nintendo Switch Edition. The editions will be merged under one title - "Minecraft"[4].
With the release of the Better Together Update, the original PC version, which is officially named Minecraft but commonly called "the Java edition", will be renamed to Minecraft: Java Edition to distinguish it from the cross-platform version.[4]
A Beta has been released for Windows 10 Edition, Pocket Edition on Android and Xbox One Edition
Notable features
New version-exclusive features
- How to Play tutorial
- In-game shortcuts for certain commands
- Featured servers
Features ported from Console Edition
- Blocks
- Banner
- Coarse Dirt
- Jukebox
- Stained Glass
- Structure Block (limited function, only on Windows 10)
- Items
- Mobs
- Generated structures
- Other
- Ability to include a starting map and/or bonus chest when creating a world
- Splitscreen
- Choice of outline instead of highlight for block selection
- Brewing Stand must be fueled with Blaze Powder
Features ported from, or similar to, Java Edition
- New crafting system based on the Recipe Book
- Server list
/tickingareacommand for functionality similar to spawn chunks- Ability to change player skin while playing a world
- Player permissions
- Stained Glass and Stained Glass Pane are colored and drop themselves when broken
- Coordinates
References
- ↑ "Beta Test Better Together!" – Minecraft.net
- ↑ https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/Better Together (1.2) FAQ
- ↑ "Better Together FAQ" – Minecraft.net
- ↑ a b "All the News From E3!" – Minecraft.net