Summary
After some exciting rumors surrounding a potential Xbox Series X/S version ofMinecraftbegan to spread, Microsoft has stepped in and delivered an unfortunate update. Mojang and its partners in Microsoft have gone to great lengths to bringMinecraftto as many platforms as they can. The popular survival adventure game is available not just on Microsoft platforms, but also PlayStation, Nintendo, and mobile devices. Yet for some reason,Minecraftdoesn’t have an Xbox Series X/S version yet, and that doesn’t seem likely to change in the near future.
Rumors regarding an Xbox Series X/S update forMinecraftbegan spreading in August, with some very reasonable evidence supporting them. Ratings for an Xbox Series X/S version ofMinecraftshowed up not just in Germany but also in the US via the ESRB. An official announcement from Mojang or Microsoft was speculated on but never became a reality. Still, given the excitement for an upgraded console version ofMinecrafton Xbox Series X/S, fans kept asking Microsoft for an update.
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An update from Microsoft has now been delivered, but it unfortunately contains onlybad news forMinecraftfans. In a statement made to Eurogamer, Microsoft has explicitly stated that a new version ofMinecraftwill not be launching in the “near future.” The ratings delivered in the US and Germany were said to be “not indicative” of a new version ofMinecraft, instead just a product of periodical rating reviews and updates with different regional boards.
The statement is ambiguous regarding whether an Xbox Series X/S version ofMinecraftis in development at all, which is certainly intentional. No one would be surprised ifMojang and Microsoftwere working on an updated version ofMinecraft. It just isn’t arriving any time soon and Microsoft wants to ensure fans have appropriate expectations.
The release of an Xbox Series X/S version ofMinecraftwith improved performance and visuals would be a major announcement from Microsoft.Minecraftis undeniablyMicrosoft’s most popular current franchiseand one of the most successful franchises of all time. If and when it comes to Xbox Series X/S, it will be a very big deal.
As for when it would be realistic for Microsoft to release an Xbox Series X/S version ofMinecraft, it’s difficult to tell. The boost to Xbox Series X/S sales and Game Pass subscriptions would make it a lucrative release, so releasing it as soon as possible makes sense. But given the popularity ofMinecraft, Mojang likely also wants a possible updated version of the game to be polished to perfection. While a Minecon Live 2023 reveal would be great,if Minecon Live 2023 does get announced, 2024 or later may make more sense.
Minecraftis available now on PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices.
