Summary
A new update for the popular creative sandbox gameMinecrafthas added a long-requested feature to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S versions of the title. The change will significantly improve the visual experience for players on both consoles.
Version 1.20.60.23 ofMinecraftPreview, a separate client that’s used to test changes that will roll out in future updates for the game’s main build, went live on December 13. It brought some new content such as a player-voted mob character, armor, and blocks, among other things. Funnily enough, what could be considered as the most exciting addition in this update might have been overlooked by most people.
Listed near the very end of the official changelog forMinecraft Previewupdate 1.20.60.23 was a note that said Xbox Series consoles finally received 4K resolution support. The version ofMinecraftthat ran on these two machines had been the Xbox One X build that was never optimized. As a result,Minecraftplayers on the Xbox Series consoles could do nothing but settle for a 1080p experienceand ask for something better while even their counterparts on Sony’s PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 enjoyed 4K for the longest time.
It’s unclear whyMinecraftdeveloper Mojang Studios took so long to provide 4K support for the Xbox Series consoles. AsMojang Studios and Xbox are both owned by Microsoft, one would have assumed that the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S versions ofMinecraftwould have been on top of the priority list along with the PC build. Regardless of how long it took forMinecrafton the Xbox Series consoles to receive 2160p support, players on both machines should welcome the change for the improved visual experience it will offer.
Going back to the rest ofMinecraft Previewversion 1.20.60.23’s additions, Mojang Studios has introducedthe Armadillo that won theMinecraft2023 Mob Vote. The adorable critter drops the new Armadillo Scute that can be used to craft Wolf Armor, a set that was also added in the patch.
The Armadillo is set to ship with the main client’s 1.21 update, while there is still no word on when the Wolf Armor will make it to the public build ofMinecraft. In addition to the Armadillo, update 1.21 will bring an automated Redstone-powered block called a Crafter,procedurally generated underground structures called Trial Chambers, and a specialized spawner for Trial Chambers that will reward players with loot for killing enemies. Those eager to see a glimpse of the content that will be featured in the next major patch should try out the latest beta build for now as Mojang Studios has yet to provide a release date for update 1.21.
