The monumental Minecraft 1.20 update brought many long-awaited changes to the game, including the gorgeous Cherry Blossom biome, the adorable Sniffer mob, armour customisation, and an archaeology system. Now that the hype has settled, the community's focus has shifted towards the highly-anticipated 1.21 update, which promises a wealth of exciting new changes!
To the delight of Minecraft fans, Minecraft Live 2023 not only paved the way for exciting announcements from both Minecraft and Minecraft: Legends but also offered previews of what's on the horizon, along with the much-anticipated revelation of the Mob Vote winner.
While there is a plethora of existing content to explore, there comes a point when the community's appetite for fresh features, such as new mobs and biomes, starts to grow. With that in mind, read on to uncover all the details we have about the upcoming Minecraft 1.21 update!
Minecraft 1.21 expected release window
Mojang had adhered to a bi-annual update schedule for previous updates. However, this pattern shifted with the Minecraft 1.20 Trails and Tales update, which arrived a year after the 1.19 Wild Update, on 7 June 2023.
This change in schedule was most likely in response to community disappointment, as a lot of the features that were promised for the 1.19 update had to be delayed or cancelled. As a result, Mojang took a more cautious approach with the Minecraft 1.20 update, and did not overpromise.
Given this, it's reasonable to anticipate a continuation of this new schedule with the Minecraft 1.21 update. Therefore, it's likely that the Minecraft 1.21 update will be released sometime in June 2024.
Minecraft Live 2023 details
The Minecraft Live event was held on 15 October 2023, and revealed the first details about the upcoming Minecraft 1.21 update.
If you missed the live stream, don't fret; you can watch the VOD on the official Minecraft YouTube channel.
Mob Vote 2023 winner is the Armadillo
The Mob Vote of 2023 has conclusded! There were three mobs to choose from: the crab, the armadillo, and the penguin.
First up is the crab, a vibrant blue-shelled creature that calls the mangrove swamp biome home. In the official video, Mojang highlights the appeal of the crab's claw, which grants players the ability to place blocks from a greater distance.
Next, we have the armadillo. This endearing animal inhabits the savanna biome and has a tendency to curl into a protective ball when startled. Notably, the armadillo drops a scute, which can be utilised to craft a unique type of armor—wolf armor! This provides added protection for your loyal wolf companion.
Lastly, the final contender is the penguin! You'll find these charming creatures waddling along the stony shores biome. While a bit clumsy on land, the penguin showcases its true prowess as a swift swimmer in the water. This amphibious mob can significantly enhance your boat's speed, making aquatic travel a breeze.
Congratulations to the armadillo, for receiving the most community votes, and being the next mob to join Minecraft forever!
New structure: The trial chamber
During Minecraft Live 2023, Agnes and level designer Matthew “Moesh” Dryden revealed one of the new structures being developed: the trial chamber!
The trial chamber is a sprawling structure of corridors and rooms that are packed with traps, trial spawners, mobs, loot, and more. Excitingly, the trial chamber is procedurally generated, which means you’ll face a new challenge each time you enter.
Potential update names for Minecraft 1.21
The previous major update, Minecraft 1.20, remained nameless for several months after its initial announcement, possibly due to the community's expressed discontent, as mentioned earlier.
Nevertheless, the Minecraft community is buzzing with anticipation about what lies ahead, and many have already come up with their own ideas. Here are some of the update name ideas that have been circulating within the Minecraft community:
"The End Update" or "Dungeon Update"
One of the most fervently requested updates in Minecraft's history is the End Update or Dungeon Update. These dimensions have been kind of neglected by the Mojang team so far. The End remains a stark, largely unexplored dimension, housing only a few mobs. Many believe it's high time these areas received more attention and enhancement, presenting Minecraft 1.21 with a golden opportunity to breathe new life into these dimensions.
"The Biomes Update"
The community’s call for a Badlands patch also garnered considerable attention, making The Biomes Update a possible contender. Opinions on the Badlands biome are divided, with some players content with its current state, while others believe that other biomes are in desperate need of an update.
It’s worth noting that during the Biome Vote in 2018 and 2019, Mojang presented three biomes as candidates for improvement, with the community ultimately selecting one for enhancement. However, this doesn't preclude the possibility of features designed for other biomes being added in the future!
New mobs for Minecraft 1.21
In addition to the thrilling new mobs vying for a spot in the game through the Mob Vote, keen fans have noticed that the most recent episode of Minecraft Monthly, released on 22 September 2023, was filled with references to ducks. Therefore, it seems Mojang may be strongly suggesting the inclusion of Ducks as an upcoming mob.
The prospect of introducing ducks into the Minecraft world is undeniably exciting. We will get a new mob that not only gracefully navigates the waters but also lays eggs, offering a unique blend of interaction and sustenance to players.
Recently, in Minecraft Live 2023, it was revealed that a new hostile mob will be added to the game, called "the breeze". The breeze is a hostile mob that likes to leap dizzying circles around its opponent, and attack using the power of wind.
That was everything you needed to know about the forthcoming Minecraft Update 1.21!