We have previously reported on the update of the popular 3D block construction game Minecraft, and we also reported on delays to certain systems like the PS3 and PS4, at least in North America. We now have some good news as users of the Minecraft PlayStation 4 edition in North America have at last received the Title Update 19.
According to Inquistir, those who had the Playstation 3, the old generation version of Minecraft, received it on Christmas day in North America. Those in Europe got their TU 19 action on December 20, and that included owners of the PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. Of course, it was no surprise that Xbox One and Xbox 360 users got their TU 19 action on December 18th, first before anyone else. After all, Minecraft is owned by Microsoft, who owns Xbox.
The delay on the PlayStation 4 may have been due to a holiday vacation. Fortunately, 4J Studios returned to the office and are currently fixing bugs such as transferring existing Minecraft saves from the Xbox 360 to the Xbox One.
According to Gamestop, the updates include some interesting new additions like Fireworks, which involves an interesting interface from the Crafting Table with ingredients to make a Firework Star or Firework Rocket. There will also be an added "Adventure Mode" where players can only break blocks with the correct tool.
There is an entire list on the Minecraft forum that contains updates like new Mobs like the Wither, Wither Skeletons, Witches, Bats, Horse, Donkeys, and Mules. There will also be new sounds, new death messages, as well as an interesting beacon interface. IGN also reports some other features such as the introduction of hardened clay, stained clay, blocks of coal, hay bales, activator rails, blocks of redstone, daylight sensors, droppers, hoppers, minecart with hoppers, minecart with TNT, redstone comparator, weighted pressure plates, beacons, trapped chests, nether stars, lead, and name tags.
Those who are new to Minecraft, or might be confused by all the new features, should know that there will be a Tutorial World that will show players how to access these new features.
The one feature that 4J Studios is apparently very proud of is the horse feature. Apparently, the players can tame and ride some wild stallions, and there is a YouTube video about the horse feature that is deliberately overdone.
It is a setback that the PS4 version got delayed, especially for the holiday season. Considering the popularity of the game, it probably did not set the company back too much, but for those that really wanted some building block updates for their holiday vacation, it was probably a hassle.
Still, the popularity of Minecraft is still ever-growing as the game is played by 80 million worldwide, on consoles, tablets, PCs, and smartphones. There is even a Minecraft movie under development, designed to make a profit from the immense suprise hit of The Lego Movie.
