As we've previously covered, the Better Together update coming to Minecraft this Autumn will unify Minecraft across platforms and introduce a number of new features including cross-platform play, in-game servers, the Minecraft Marketplace and cross-platform DLC. This week Mojang have revealed more about the Better Together Update and are launching their first Beta test, which is available on Windows 10 and Android now and Xbox One later this week. Here's what we currently know...
1. The Better Together update will launch in Autumn, and be known as Minecraft.
2. Minecraft will be available on Windows 10, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and VR.
3. Mojang are currently working with Sony to try and bring Minecraft to Playstation 4 but as things stand now Minecraft will not be available on Playstation.
4. Minecraft is built on the Bedrock engine, which has been in development on Windows 10 and Mobile since 2012.
5. Worlds in Minecraft are infinite.
6. The Minecraft Marketplace will be available in Minecraft, meaning add-ons, skins, textures and worlds are all coming to Windows 10, Mobile, Xbox and Nintendo Switch!
7. Minecraft will be a free upgrade for those who own the current version of the game at the time of the update on each eligible platform, except...
8. ...Players who own Minecraft: Xbox One Edition on disc and have bought DLC or played for at least five hours in the past 12 months will be able to upgrade to Minecraft for free, for a limited time.
9. Your worlds will be automatically available to you in Minecraft if you play on Xbox One, Mobile or Windows 10 -- Mojang are still working on how this will work for the Nintendo Switch.
10. Most DLC already purchased in any of the editions of Minecraft will be available in Minecraft, excluding a small amount of edition specific DLC.
11. The original version of Minecraft will become Minecraft: Java Edition, but fear not! Mojang are committed to continuing to develop and support Minecraft: Java Edition -- they have recently added more members to the development team.
12. Better Together will launch with 4 server partners, Lifeboat, Cubecraft, InPvP and Mineplex, which will soon be available to try out as part of the Better Together Beta.
13. Multiplayer will follow the access policy of the platform it's on, multiplayer will be free to play on Mobile and will require Xbox Live Gold on Xbox.
You can learn more about taking part in the Better Together Beta over on Minecraft.net, and read the full Better Together FAQ here.