We have exciting news to share! A whole new version of Minecraft is on its way. This time, it’s for Windows 10 – Microsoft’s new swanky operating system that’s due for release on July 29th.
We’re calling it Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta.
Just like the first release of Minecraft all those years ago, this version will develop and evolve over time with the help of your feedback. That’s why it has “Beta” in the title – because it’s not quite finished, and will become even more fun over time. Just like the other versions of Minecraft, all future updates will be free. We spoil you. We really do.
If you’re one of the 20 million(!) players who have the PC edition of Minecraft (referred to by techy people as the Java version) you’ll be able to download Windows 10 Edition Beta from the Windows 10 store for free. Other players can get it for the paltry price of $10 during the beta period (the length of which is still being decided).
Minecraft is available on Windows, Mac, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and PS Vita, and now, Windows 10. Not every version of Minecraft is exactly the same, but they all feature two distinct game modes – Creative and Survival – that cater to different types of players. All versions of Minecraft support multiplayer.
You’ll recognise some Pocket Edition features in Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta, along with potpourri of cool extras. Here are some highlights:
- Craft, create, and explore online with up to seven friends playing Windows 10 Edition Beta, through local multiplayer or with your Xbox Live friends online.
- Play online and local multiplayer with other Pocket Edition players thanks to a free update, due to arrive soon after launch.
- Multiple control schemes! Switch between controller, touch, and keyboard controls with little to no effort!
- Record and share gameplay highlights with built-in GameDVR.
- Help shape the future of Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta with our built player feedback mechanisms!
- Chickens, zombies, pigs, boats, armed skeletons, potatoes, zombies, baby squids, enchantment tables, villagers, naked sheep, iron golems, potions, ghasts, pickaxes, carrots, and all the weird and wonderful goodness you’ve come to expect from Minecraft.
We hope you’re as excited as us for Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta. It’s gonna be cool!
Krowen wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 15:25:
Faster boot time is about the only one you can actually quantify without a "trust me" from Microsoft so his response is about as meaningful as yours.
ViRGE wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 17:01:InBlack wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 11:14:DX12 goes hand-in-hand with WDDM 2.0. And WDDM 2.0 is the biggest overhaul of the underlying Windows graphics layer since WDDM 1.0 and Vista in 2006. Everything from memory management to task pre-emption is being touched and improved. These aren't changes that can be backported to older versions of Windows.
This. Also, why would anyone consider DX12 exclusivity to be anything but a bait job to lure 'gamers' into upgrading and how is that exactly a good thing?
InBlack wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 11:14:DX12 goes hand-in-hand with WDDM 2.0. And WDDM 2.0 is the biggest overhaul of the underlying Windows graphics layer since WDDM 1.0 and Vista in 2006. Everything from memory management to task pre-emption is being touched and improved. These aren't changes that can be backported to older versions of Windows.
This. Also, why would anyone consider DX12 exclusivity to be anything but a bait job to lure 'gamers' into upgrading and how is that exactly a good thing?
Mashiki Amiketo wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 04:49:descender wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 00:10:
There is really nothing about 8/8.1 (UI replacement or not) that is an improvement over 7. Especially the half-in half-out metro UI shit like your network connections and such.
As someone who works with both operating systems on a daily basis... you all really have no idea what you are talking about. Anecdotal nonsense rules the day around here.
So no lower overhead? Faster boot times, better kernel optimization? Well guys pack it in, all that anecdotal evidence in the quote just packs it in.
Cutter wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 11:51:InBlack wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 11:14:descender wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 10:02:
Real-world application performance difference between the operating systems is virtually non-existent. There's nothing really "wrong" with it at this point once you get 8.1 and classic shell, and there is no reason you would choose 7 over 8 for a new computer today... but there is basically nothing compelling or forcing an upgrade over 7 for existing machines.
This. Also, why would anyone consider DX12 exclusivity to be anything but a bait job to lure 'gamers' into upgrading and how is that exactly a good thing?
And all those bells and whistles in any new DX won't make it into games anytime soon either. Every time this happens it's always years our before people start making use of it. How long did it take for 64 bit gaming to become a reality? Christ I was using 64bit NT waiting for the 64 bit revolution...that is slowly happening almost 20 years later. And it's not like the consoles can take advantage of any of this stuff so that rules out a ton of games right there. Indeed there's really zero reason to upgrade.
InBlack wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 11:14:descender wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 10:02:
Real-world application performance difference between the operating systems is virtually non-existent. There's nothing really "wrong" with it at this point once you get 8.1 and classic shell, and there is no reason you would choose 7 over 8 for a new computer today... but there is basically nothing compelling or forcing an upgrade over 7 for existing machines.
This. Also, why would anyone consider DX12 exclusivity to be anything but a bait job to lure 'gamers' into upgrading and how is that exactly a good thing?
descender wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 10:02:
Real-world application performance difference between the operating systems is virtually non-existent. There's nothing really "wrong" with it at this point once you get 8.1 and classic shell, and there is no reason you would choose 7 over 8 for a new computer today... but there is basically nothing compelling or forcing an upgrade over 7 for existing machines.
jacobvandy wrote on Jul 4, 2015, 23:35:Because can you imagine the holy hell that would erupt if they charged for it, when you can already play Minecraft on Windows via Java? There's a no win situation here; there are legitimate reasons to port the Pocket Edition to Windows for use on Win10 tablets and such, as Java Minecraft is comparatively speaking an absolute hog. PE/Win10 is going to run a lot better on those low-end devices, like it does today on Android and iOS tablets.Blackhawk wrote on Jul 4, 2015, 19:47:
From what I've seen, this is a replacement for the mobile version of the game, meant for Win 10 devices, not PCs (although it is playable on Win 10 PCs.) It is not the replacement for the PC version.
MS just did a crappy job of communicating that.
Then why give it to owners of the standard Java version for free? That right there implies its purpose as a replacement. The mobile version for iOS and Android isn't being replaced by a Windows store app, and considering their respective mobile market shares, a change of direction for the Windows Phone version is hardly worthy of attention on its own. Watch this new unified Win10 version go forward with development while the original PC edition is abandoned.
descender wrote on Jul 5, 2015, 00:10:
There is really nothing about 8/8.1 (UI replacement or not) that is an improvement over 7. Especially the half-in half-out metro UI shit like your network connections and such.
As someone who works with both operating systems on a daily basis... you all really have no idea what you are talking about. Anecdotal nonsense rules the day around here.
harlock wrote on Jul 4, 2015, 20:27:
i suppose if you dont have to bother repairing machines with windows 8 or 8.1, then you might not understand - and thats ok
because yeh ignorance is bliss im sure
nice sense of humor too btw
Blackhawk wrote on Jul 4, 2015, 19:47:
From what I've seen, this is a replacement for the mobile version of the game, meant for Win 10 devices, not PCs (although it is playable on Win 10 PCs.) It is not the replacement for the PC version.
MS just did a crappy job of communicating that.