How are Minecraft game drops different from updates?

The Minecraft game drops are part of the latest series of updates and changes brought to the popular title which has sold over 300 million copies since its inception. As part of the fifteenth birthday, the team at Mojang has revamped the way updates are pushed to the game and has created a new format that puts community feedback at its foundation.

Here's everything you need to know about Minecraft game drops and how they will affect your gaming experience.

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Everything you need to know about Minecraft game drops

What are Minecraft game drops

Minecraft game drops will change in-game updates forever (Image via Mojang)

Minecraft game drops are a new type of update set to replace the traditional format. Earlier, players used to receive one free update every summer which included new features or improvements to existing game mechanics. Now, game drops will replace this format to provide a new way of rolling out updates.

Instead of one major update every summer, game drops will introduce several free updates throughout the year. These drops will vary in size and bring a host of new features to explore. Naturally, such a system eliminates the need for players to wait an entire year to receive updates and streamlines the process of introducing new features or balancing existing ones.

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How do Minecraft game drops work

Game drops will provide year-round updates and changes (Image via Mojang)

Game drops are updates that will be pushed out throughout the year instead of just the summer. These game drops can range from small updates to major improvements and the introduction of new sections or in-game features.

One of the first game drops players experienced was the visual changes to bats and the transformation of pots into functional storage units as part of the December 2023 update. April 2024 saw another game drop where major improvements and additional features were introduced under Armored Paws. It introduced armadillos, the wolf armor as well as variations to existing wolf types.

These game drops will focus on evolving the Minecraft experience as well as providing a steady stream of updates to address bugs or introduce new features.

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What are the upcoming Minecraft game drops

Pale Garden is set to arrive in the upcoming winter drop (Image via Mojang)

The upcoming winter drop is set to introduce a host of features including the coveted Pale Garden, a new biome that will be added to the overworld as part of the upcoming drop. It is also set to introduce new mobs like the Creaking as well as the Pale Oak Wood set, a new type of wood-based building block that players are quite fond of.

Many features of the upcoming winter drop can be experienced by trying out the latest snapshot, 24w40a. This allows players a sneak peek into the drop and also lets them build their favorite structures using Pale oak wood and other related items.

Additionally, Minecraft has an official feedback section where players can vote for features to implement in future game drops. These topics range from ideas for new features to suggestions for balancing or modifying existing ones. This allows a more immersive experience for players where their ideas and feedback are accounted for and heard.