Minecraft to get free Xbox updates more frequently in the future

Mojang is changing how it handles new content for Minecraft. Instead of a regular summer update, multiple free Minecraft updates will be released throughout the year.

Minecraft to get free Xbox updates more frequently in the future
Sean Carey

Sean Carey

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We could see new Minecraft achievements added more regularly in the future as Mojang Studios has revealed it is changing how it handles free Minecraft updates. According to the developer, you can expect multiple "free game drops" throughout the year instead of the regular summer update from now on.

Minecraft to receive multiple smaller content drops throughout the year

In a new blog post, Minecraft head Ryan Cooper explained that Mojang Studios is switching up its feature development rhythm to get new features into the hands of players more frequently.

"We know that you want new Minecraft content more often, which is why we’re changing our feature development rhythm," Cooper said. "Instead of providing one free update during the summer, as we’ve done in the past, we’ll now be releasing a number of free game drops throughout the year. These game drops will vary in size and will bring you features to explore more frequently."

Cooper adds that players may have noticed Mojang trialing this new cadence of feature drops back in December 2023, when the developer made visual changes to bats and turned decorated pots into storage containers. The Armored Paws update, which added armadillos, wolf variations, and wolf armor, followed in April 2024.

Alongside these smaller updates, Cooper says that developers "will be focusing on long-term initiatives to ensure we can continue to evolve Minecraft long into the future." Interestingly, the team is working on bringing a native version to PS5.

Elsewhere, Mojang is changing Minecraft Live's format and retiring the controversial mob vote to "bring you something new." There will now be two "focused" Minecraft Live broadcasts per year, with each promising news on what new features Mojang is working on, what's coming "into testing," and more.

Back in June, Mojang added four new Xbox achievements to Minecraft with the Tricky Trials update.
Written by Sean Carey
A big fan of Xbox achievements, Sean has committed to playing as many of the best RPGs, racing games, and first-person shooters on and off Xbox Game Pass as possible. Before joining TrueAchievements, Sean earned a degree in journalism from Solent University.
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