Xbox Game Pass has delivered an impressive array of games since its launch in 2017, both on Xbox consoles and PC. However, considering Xbox’s promise of delivering first-party exclusives on Xbox Game Pass day one, as well as Xbox’s first-party library of older games, there’s always been one glaring omission –Minecrafton Xbox Game Pass for PC. That’s an omission Xbox and Mojang are now ready to correct. Both versions ofMinecrafton PC, the Java version and the Bedrock Edition, are coming soon to Xbox Game Pass for PC.
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The availability of bothMinecraftJava and Bedrock Editionswill be a little different than before, however. Rather than split the two versions ofMinecraftup into separate applications, Mojang is bundling them together into what’s named theMinecraft: PC Bundle, available solely through Game Pass. This bundle app will allow players to swap between games from the sameMinecraftlauncher with relative ease. The two are still separate games, each with its own limitations, but they’ll at least be available in a simple and accessible way.
For those unfamiliar,Minecraft’s Java versionis the original version of the game released on PC in 2011. This version of the game remainsMinecraft’s primary version, receiving the latest updates from Mojang. The Bedrock Edition ofMinecraft, often referred to as justMinecraft, is a combination ofMinecraftversions across mobile devices, PC, and Windows 10. This version has cross-play between devices, but receives updates later than the Java version of the game.
One big question left unanswered by Xbox and Mojang is, “Why?” Why isMinecraftbeing brought to Xbox Game Pass on PC now? After all,Minecrafthas been available on console Game Pass for a very long time. It had to have been a conscious decision to keepMinecraftoff ofXbox Game Pass for PC. Perhaps something changed, or perhaps Mojang has upcoming plans which will benefit fromMinecraftbeing more widely available.
Regardless of why, there’s never a bad time to check outMinecraft, whether as a returning player or for the very first time. Later in 2021, Mojang will be introducing the second half of itsCaves & Cliffs update, as well as another update named The Wild in 2022.Minecraft’s future remains an exciting adventure to look forward to.
Minecraft: PC Bundlearrives on Xbox Game Pass for PC on November 2.
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