Java Edition unused features

Template:Unimplemented

Since the beginning of Minecraft's development, there have been a number of features that were proposed by Notch that were ultimately unimplemented.

Note that this page only documents features that were planned at one time but have since been cancelled or fallen into limbo; features that are currently definitively planned for inclusion instead should be listed on Upcoming features.

Partially implemented

Several planned features made it as far as being partially implemented (e.g. by having images created and added to the sprite sheets, or behavior code added to the game), or even fully functioning in-game, before being dropped.

Breathing

In the resources/newsound/random a file called "breath.ogg" can be found.

Chairs and other furniture

File:Chair and table.png

Chair from Indev's terrain.png file.

In Indev's terrain.png were two textures which might be interpreted as a chair (side and front). The actual purpose of those textures is unknown. On Word of Notch, furniture, and more specifically chairs, is mentioned a few times.

Coral

Notch attempted to implement coral, "but it’s really hard to draw a single block that looks like corals, since it’s really more about crazy amounts of variation and diversity. But I do know that the corals will have tiny fish particles around them."

Crying Obsidian

Main article: Crying Obsidian

Crying Obsidian was a planned feature for Minecraft for setting a new spawn point. The most recent bed the player has slept in sets their spawn point, and it will stay there until the bed is destroyed and the player tries to respawn or the player sleeps in another bed. This may have replaced the 'setting a spawn point' idea.

Dirt slabs

Main article: Dirt slab

Before stone slabs were officially added to the game, Notch did a test with dirt slabs, although they were never officially added.

Fish

Main article: Fish

Originally, fish were planned to be implemented in the Halloween Update, but, since Notch had limited time, he was only able to add fish as an item.

Gears

Main article: Gear

Gears were supposed to be added in Indev but never were, though (when hacked into the inventory) they did nothing when placed on a block. They were effectively removed from the game when Redstone Dust took its data value and its sprite was removed from the game.

Pigmen

Main article: Pigman

Pigmen are Mobs with the same shape as the player but the skin of a Pig. Notch mentioned that he might add them as Villagers in NPC Villages (which didn't happen), but it is possible that they may be added in the future.

Purple arrows

Main article: Purple arrows

Purple arrows were shot by Skeletons in Survival Test and acted the same as regular Arrows, but the texture is not currently in use.

Quivers

Main article: Quiver

Although the sprite for a Quiver has been in the game since Indev, almost nothing is known about it (although, presumably, it would be used to hold arrows). Jeb has stated that he is not going to add Quivers.

The Sky Dimension

Main article: Sky Dimension

The Sky Dimension or Skylands was a planned dimension, intended to be added in Beta 1.8 or Minecraft 1.0. It could be accessed using hacks but portals to the Sky Dimension were never implemented, and the idea was ultimately scrapped and its code was reused to make the End.

Dropped/in limbo

These features were planned at one point but later abandoned or their current status is unknown.

Lanterns

Main article: Lantern

Lanterns were originally planned to be used as permanent light sources (and torches to be made temporary), but Lanterns were officially denied by Notch at MineCon 2011. Instead, other types of lighting would be added; such as Redstone Lamps and glowstone.

Spike Blocks

Main article: Spike Block

Spike Blocks were originally planned for Beta 1.7, working by extending and retracting spikes (and making them more "spike pistons" than anything), but were replaced by Sticky Pistons. On May 28, 2012, Dinnerbone stated that he'd like to add spike blocks, but is unsure of how to implement them.

Whales

Whales were mobs mentioned by Notch in a version of Alpha before the introduction of Squid. Notch stated he wanted to add a water mob, but eventually added Squid instead.

Mentioned

These features were mentioned, but nothing was ever done with them.

• Sunlight/light sensors.

Joke

Notch or other Mojang AB employees has frequently joked about adding various features to the game.

• Hot dogs.
• (Lord) Herobrine
• Locked Chest Or "Steve Co Supply Crate"
• Ultra Hardcore mode
• During the film The Story of Mojang, Notch jokes about adding "snowmen that throw snowballs." Ironically, Snow Golems have been added to the game.