The Void as of patch 1.8+, it is pure black and uses the same particle effects as those underwater.
The Void from inside in the nether (captured in Creative Mode 1.8+).
The Void is the term given to the empty space beyond the generated boundaries of each map. It can be seen through gaps in the lowest layer of Bedrock on maps generated prior to the Halloween Update. As per a recent update, when lava generates on layer 2, the bedrock on layer 1 below it is replaced by smooth stone, meaning it is possible to enter the void again through much larger entrances than before without hacking.
It is potentially endless, however, falling into the Void causes the player's health to be depleted by about 4 hearts per second, leading to the player's death in 2.5 seconds or less, should he or she drop.
In The Nether, the Void is red. It can be entered if one uses a map editor or creative mode to make a hole in the top bedrock layer of the Nether.
Entities (mobs and items, excluding the player) entering the Void will be deleted in the following tick (as soon as possible). This may be due to the Void not being part of a Chunk, although it is most likely a deliberate optimisation/crash prevention method implemented by Notch. Blocks cannot be built on the underside of the Bedrock layer, and although Water and Lava appear to flow into it, they will not actually spread and form beneath the lowest layer. This prevents players from descending into the Void safely via swimming.
There is currently a bug in SMP that will remove chunks client-side, so while the data is still there, the client cannot see it and will glitch if they step on it. This can be fixed by reconnecting or placing a torch next to the missing chunk. If you ride a Minecart into this missing chunk, and then you step out of the Minecart, you will fall to the void and die, regardless if you disconnect and reconnect.
Light cannot travel out or through into The Void.
Destination
- In a map generated prior to the Halloween update, it is possible to find holes in the bedrock that lead into the void.
- Create a Creative world and dig straight down, since in Creative you can destroy bedrock.
Notes
Any entity above layer 127 or below layer 0 will be black. This includes dropped/held items, boats/minecarts and players/mobs.
If water touches the boundary of the Void, the particle effect of the Void will be transmitted through all of the water it is touching.
If someone joins a server with high latency, it can look like they spawned inside "The Void", as the chunks have not spawned yet.
Since 1.8, when joining a server with high latency, since the chunks haven't spawned, "The Void" can glitch between the old blue-sky void and the new black void.
History
- Prior to Beta 1.6, things that fall into the void became black because there is no lighting in there.
Trivia
- If you open a hole to the void and block off all light sources, you can see that the void does in fact give off light. (Rather, it is the blocks themselves having a light level higher than 0, not the light "shining out of the hole" as it appears to be). However, the bottom of the bedrock on the last layer is completely dark.
- When you fall through the void, you don't get hurt until you reach the Y-coordinate of -64, and then you get hurt for two hearts per halfsecond.
- When you fall into the void on a server with anti flying measures, you are kicked regardless of having a flying mod/hack.
- As of 1.8, entities are now lit in the void.
- Riding a vehicle into the void will result in the player being stuck in the vehicle until he/she dies.
- As of 1.8 the void is now always pitch black and a particle effect occurs below bedrock.
- If flying is enabled in Creative mode (patch 1.8), you can travel around in the top layers of the void without taking damage.
- Falling into the void is the only possible way to die in Creative Mode.
A view of the render distance near bedrock.
- When the player is at a Y coordinate above 64, the void appears blue, and the black fog is not rendered. When the player is at a Y coordinate below 64, the void will change color to black and the fog will get closer to the player.
- If one was to pass the 32 million block limit the player would no longer clip (the blocks become non-solid) and fall through to the void resulting in the players eventual death.
- Shot arrows can stick to the bottom of the lowest level of bedrock (they are stuck on a block in the Void).
- Arrows on fire (that have gone through lava) will disappear once it enters the Void while normal arrows fired by the player do not immediately disappear.
- Pistons do not work at the lowest level of bedrock (or the level above the Void).
Media
The Void in The Nether
The Void as of patch 1.8, it is pure black and uses the same particle effects as those underwater.
The Void pre-1.8, as seen through a hole found at the bottom of the map.
The Void pre-1.8, as seen from within.
- NetherVoid.png
The Void, as seen above the Nether. Fluids, amongst other things, are unable to enter the Void.
The Void, As seen from within a chasm made via a map editor.
The Void, as seen below the Nether via a chunk error. Lava and other blocks are still here, but are invisible due to a client glitch.
- StoneUnderBedrock.png
A picture of how stone can appear at bedrock level because of generated water or lava pool at a low layer. Used mods for visibility.
- 2011-09-10 13.31.57.png
As of 1.8, entities are rendered and can be lit below bedrock.
- 2011-09-22 16.52.26.png
The Void from inside in the nether (captured in Creative Mod 1.8+)
- 2011-09-22 16.53.32.png
Bottom of Bedrock in 1.9 pre-release. Particles can be seen.
- Watervoid.jpg
A picture showing water cannot flow into the Void.
