As expected, a "Minecraft" update coming this summer to Xbox One will support cross-play between the console, the "Pocket Edition" for mobile, and the "Windows 10 Edition." The announcement for the Better Together update came during the Xbox E3 2017 media briefing with surprise support for the Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 4 will not join the cross-play.

The Better Together update

The "Minecraft" Better Together update will arrive as a free update later this summer to support cross-platform play between Android and Apple devices, the Xbox One, Windows 10, and Nintendo Switch.

Even Virtual Reality platforms will support it, but Sony reportedly has declined to support it on PlayStation 4.

This unites multiple platforms for the first time under a single title. The "Console Edition" and "Pocket/Windows 10 Edition" will go away and "Minecraft" will simply be known as "Minecraft." The update will be free for all existing owners on the announced platforms and will essentially be a re-branded and new version of the game.

Additionally, any DLC purchased on one platform will automatically be available for free on other platforms. For example, purchasing a texture pack on the Nintendo Switch makes it available on the Xbox One, Windows 10, and mobile at no extra charge.

Official 'Minecraft' servers

The Better Together update will also bring servers to "Minecraft" on console that support way more users than is currently available even through Mojang's "Minecraft Realms" service. A server browser will be added to the game's start menu where players will be able to join four servers at launch - Lifeboat, Mineplex, InPVP, and Cubecraft.

More servers will be added as Mojang ramps the services up to allow players to enjoy multiplayer "Minecraft" with new mini-games and worlds to craft in with their friends. Parental controls will also be available so parents can decide what kind of content their children will have access to.

More details about the servers will be announced closer to launch.

Xbox One X upgrades come to other platforms

Meanwhile, the newly announced Xbox One X console sports shiny new 4K HDR graphics for "Minecraft." The higher resolution plus improved lighting, shadow, and water effects will also head to Windows 10, iOS, mobile, and VR as well. The improved graphics will launch this fall around the time of Microsoft's November 7 launch date for their new console.

The "Super Duper Graphics Pack" is also coming to the Xbox One and Windows 10. This pack introduces "dynamic shadows, lighting that streams through fog, movement in leaves and grass, new textures for mobs and villagers, directional lighting, edge highlighting and more." This pack should release around the same time as the Xbox One X, but there is no mention of a price.
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