What you need to know
- Minecraft is gearing up for their next major release, dubbed 'the Nether Update.'
- It'll feature a bunch of improvements, additions, and features when it comes out later this year.
- Another snapshot is here, introducing further changes that will come in the Nether Update.
- The notable feature of this snapshot is the addition of striders, a new rideable mob.
Mojang and Microsoft are at full steam ahead preparing for the Nether Update for Minecraft, and have even released the first beta for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. This time around, it's a snapshot for the Java Edition, meaning no new toys for Bedrock Edition players yet. This snapshot isn't the largest around, but does add two new things for players to check out.
- Lodestone. These blocks are constructed from netherite and chiseled stone bricks, and aim to help you not get lost. You can "sync" a compass with the lodestone, so that the compass will always point towards the lodestone rather than Minecraft's North.
- Striders. The third new mob to join the Nether, on top of hoglins and piglins, striders are the first fully passive mob to exist in the Nether. No matter what you do, these guys aren't' aiming to eat you for supper. However, you can slap a saddle on them and ride them around using a piece of warped fungus on a stick—similar to how the pig operates with carrots. Even better, these mobs can walk on top of lava!
The strider in particular looks like it can be a lot of fun, adding a whole new way to navigate around the Nether. While steering via mushroom-strung-on-a-stick isn't the most intuitive, at least we're getting something in the Nether that won't try and kill you. If you want to try the latest snapshot, be sure to check out our guide on how to do so. If you're not playing on the Java Edition, the Beta is still available for the Bedrock. Here's how you can sign up for that.
To read all the nitty gritty details about bug fixes, minor improvements, and more, be sure to check out Mojang's blog post for the snapshot.
Available everywhere you play.
Minecraft is a veritable, inarguable and complete success. It has sold copies in the hundreds of millions, has a huge following of dedicated players, and lets you unlock your every creative desire. It's also available on every platform imaginable, including Xbox One, Windows 10, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. Play with anyone, and play anywhere.
