An upcoming summer update to Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iPhone and iPad will include full support for cross-platform multiplayer, the game’s developer Mojang announced today in a blog post ahead of the Electronics Entertainment Expo show, which runs from June 13-15, 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“We’re releasing a new update for consoles, which brings players together across mobile, console and Windows 10,” developers wrote. They’ll be adding in-game multiplayer server, too.
A server browser in the Minecraft start menu will let you search a list of servers which you can join right away. They’ll be launching with four servers—Lifeboat, Mineplex, InPVP and CubeCraft—with more to follow at a later stage.
And as a cool bonus, any downloadable content you purchase will be accessible amongst the various devices at no extra charge!
Mojang highlighted the upcoming features in a promo video, embedded below.
The free update will permit fans of Minecraft on iOS to play the game with players on other devices, including Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 PC and VR. Currently, Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iOS lets you play with friends on Xbox One consoles or PCs.
Mojan will be rebranding the game on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR as just “Minecraft”. Support for Minecraft: Java Edition, which is the original PC game, will continue. “This means when you buy ‘Minecraft’, you’re buying a game that can you can play with friends across devices,” said developers.
Plus, this fall, players will be able to explore endless worlds, rendered in 4K HDR resolution, via another upcoming update. Support for 4K resolution across platform will be free.
However, advanced effects will require a new “Super Duper Graphics Pack”, which will bring out features like dynamic shadows, lighting that streams through fog, movement in leaves and grass, new textures for mobs and villagers, directional lighting, edge highlighting and more.
They’ll have additional information about the release date of the free 4K update and “Super Duper Graphics Pack” DLC closer to release. As always, we’ll keep you in the loop.