Minecraft 1.6 Is Out!

UPDATE: We already have version 1.6.2, that fixes an annoying item bug. Notch tweeted about it just minutes after the launch.


The time has come, Mojang has officially released Minecraft Beta version 1.6. This version brings over 100 bug fixes, and several new features. While we noticed alot of generalized clean ups, there were also some removal of bugs that were commonly exploited in the game.


New Additions

Craftable Maps
Players can now create craftable maps that will update as the player walks around. These maps persist server-side and can even be given to another player, providing a unique way of showing around visitors to your server.

Nether Support In SMP
We've been waiting since 1.2 to see proper Nether support in SMP, and today is finally the day. You can now create portals in SMP and they will properly teleport you to the nether, just like in single player.

Hatches
Hatches act just like doors, except they can be placed on the sky-facing side of blocks. They allow you to create a pathway down to secret caverns or other underground structures.

Tall Grass
This was one of the more subtle, yet visually plesaing additions to the game. It just made certain areas of the world seem more realistic seeing tall grass off in the distance. Destroying the grass will sometimes yield you some seeds, however those seemed to appear less frequently then we'd like.

Notable Bug Fixes


Fixed minecarts next to each other causing extreme velocities (sorry!)
This is probably going to upset alot of crafters, as this was the primary method of "boosting" minecarts. This method has been replaced, however, with the powered rails that were added in 1.5.

Beds work in nether
As the video above shows, beds are only fixed in the most destructive way. Although, this does solve the crashing that was happening before.

As Minecraft's scheduled release date looms near (11/11/11), it's good to see some of these long out standing bugs being fixed.

The Mojang staff are going to be at E3 in a little over a week demoing Minecraft: Pocket Edition, and we'll be there keeping you up to date on all the new things we find out about there.