Everything is ‘Better Together’ with the new Minecraft update

TOGETHERNESS ACTIVATED!!!

Minecraft developer Mojang has been working around the clock developing the Better Together update which allows crossplay among devices, which rolled out this past week on most devices except for the Nintendo Switch.

TOGETHERNESS ACTIVATED! We’ve fused many Minecrafts into one so you can play with more friends in more places. https://t.co/enOCoa44Yw pic.twitter.com/HtfXnJeN9i

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) September 20, 2017

The update which brings multiple platforms together includes VR support, pulls different versions together from PC to mobile and Xbox One and consolidates them into one grand masterpiece that has the same content, features and functionality irrespective of what platform you’re playing on. Built on what Microsoft calls the Bedrock Engine, this allows crossplay between Microsoft, mobile and Nintendo platforms to become a reality. For Mac and Linux owners, they can still play Minecraft on the Java Edition although it will continue to receive updates along the same time frame as the Bedrock Engine verison.

Sony is also noticeably absent from the list as Sony had explained in multiple interviews that they cite protecting children online, Microsoft Studios Corporate Vice President (CVP) Matt Booty stated that PlayStation was never part of the rollout, to begin with.

“We just flat-out couldn’t get those two completely in sync,” Booty says.

There are a number of new features as part of the update including Realm invite links for iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices as Xbox One support will be on its way. Stained glass, parrots, banners, armor stands and recipe books are some of the new in-game features as well as a new world start options, HUD opacity toggle and multiplayer world settings been expanded for Xbox Live.

If you own the game on Xbox One, insert the disc for the servers to authorise it for the update to install. If you have purchased the DLC or had little game time over the past 12 months, the game will be free to download. But do bear in mind that installation time could be lengthy as Microsoft advised for the update to be done manually.