For those unaware, Minecraft, the block-based sandbox, is offered in two different versions: the Java and Bedrock editions, where you are required to pay separately to buy these versions. While the Java Edition is only available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can get the Bedrock Edition on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile and Samsung Gear VR. The new ‘Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC’ will now offer both the editions together to PC players with one purchase, which means you don’t need to buy them separately anymore. It will become the standard and only offering of vanilla Minecraft on Windows PC. Buyers of ‘Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC’ will be able to cross-play with either Java or Bedrock players by launching whichever edition their friends are playing. However, both versions cannot be started at the same time. Starting June 7th, all current owners that have either Java Edition or Bedrock Edition will receive the edition they do not currently own for free, right in the Minecraft Launcher. In simpler words, if you own either the Java version or the Bedrock version of Minecraft, you will get the non-owned version from the Minecraft Launcher for free after June 7th. However, it might take 2 to 3 days for the non-owned version of the game to show up on the Microsoft Launcher for free, while it is being rolled out to all eligible players. “To be clear, Java and Bedrock will remain separate games with their own different distinctive features. The only difference is that now you get both by default when buying Minecraft for your Windows PC, and access them both from the same launcher,” says Minecraft on its official website. The company did not disclose the pricing for the new ‘Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC’ package. Besides this new version, Minecraft is also receiving ‘The Wild Update‘ (version 1.19), which will bring new biomes, mobs, and blocks to the game. The Wild Update will be available to download for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition on Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android; and Minecraft: Java Edition on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
