Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Beta 1.17.20.21 continues to fix 'Caves and Cliffs Update' Part One

Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Update Image
Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Update Image (Image credit: Mojang Studios)

What you need to know

  • The latest Minecraft: Bedrock Edition beta is now available for testers to play.
  • Minecraft: Bedrock Edition tests upcoming updates, new features, and bug fixes in its beta program.
  • Beta 1.17.20.21 continues to polish 1.17 'Caves and Cliffs Update' Part One, which was just released.
  • Today's beta includes bug fixes mostly focusing on commands and other technical changes.

Minecraft's way of doing things is pretty well-known at this point. Public updates add new features and changes over time, and Minecraft tests all of these changes and bug fixes through betas and snapshots before a public release. The latest Minecraft: Bedrock Edition beta is Beta 1.17.20.21, which continues to tweak and fix the recently released 1.17 Caves and Cliffs Update Part One, first half of the massive two-part Caves and Cliffs Update.

Today's beta follows last week's more major 1.17.20.20 beta with another batch of bug fixes. Don't expect any new features or exciting updates today, as this beta focuses on minor fixes and technical changes.

Testing Minecraft: Bedrock Edition betas and submitting feedback is a great way to contribute to Minecraft's continuous development. If you're looking for another way to show your love for Minecraft, you can also check out our list of best Minecraft merch, toys, and gifts.

The full changelog for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Beta 1.17.20.21 includes:

Features & bug fixes

Commands

  • Fixed a crash that could occur if a structure was placed with a command in an unloaded area, and that structure was deleted

Graphical

  • Fixed text from signs drawing on maps when RTX is on

Items

  • Clock and Compass items no longer function in the Recipe Book

Structure blocks

  • Added Corner mode to Structure Blocks, which is used with Save mode's Detect button to set the area you want to save automatically
  • Fixed tamed Wolves being transparent on the Structure Block screen

Technical updates

GameTest Framework

  • Renamed helper method worldLocation(location : BlockLocation) to worldBlockLocation(location : BlockLocation)
  • Renamed helper method relativeLocation(location : BlockLocation) to relativeBlockLocation(location : BlockLocation)
  • Added helper method worldLocation(relativeLocation : Location) : Location — From a Location with coordinates relative to the GameTest structure block, returns a new Location with coordinates relative to the world
  • Added helper method relativeLocation(worldLocation : Location) : Location — From a Location, returns a new Location with coordinates relative to the current GameTest structure block
  • Added helper method spawnWithoutBehaviorsAtLocation(entityIdentifier : string, location : Location) : Entity — Spawns an entity at a location without any AI behaviors
  • Added helper method rotateDirection(direction : Direction) : Direction — Rotates the given direction relative to the GameTest structure rotation
  • Added helper method getTestDirection() : Direction — Returns the direction the GameTest is facing based on its structure rotation

Commands

  • Commands ran through animations now will run in the order defined in animation files on all platforms, including Realms
  • Commands or structures being placed in a loaded area that is only partially loaded by a ticking area will now be considered loaded if the required chunks are loaded
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.