14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at Mojang is finally ready to confirm that it will launch its hit indie title Minecraft on the PlayStation 4 from Sony, the Xbox One from Microsoft and the PlayStation Vita handheld in August of this year, although clear dates for the platform are not yet available.
The team states in the announcement, "Apologies for the delay, but putting Minecraft on new consoles is a serious business. People have been using phrases like 'logistically-speaking','infinite terrain' and 'platform parity' for months now."
The Xbox One version of Minecraft introduces bigger worlds and draw distances than the version already offered on the Xbox 360, as well as all the features of the most recent game update.
All those who already own the game on the older platform can upgrade for 4.99 dollars or Euro and all saves can be imported.
No cross platform play between the two Microsoft platforms is possible and Mojang also says that some but not all downloadable content packs, including special skins, can be transferred to the Xbox One, with more details set to be offered before launch.
The Vita and PlayStation 3 version of Minecraft will be offered via the PSN and is completely cross-buy enabled and it seems that all those who have bought the disc-based version will also be able to upgrade, although Sony has not yet decided how the process will work.
Saves can be transferred in order for the player to continue using the same world both at home and on the go.
On the PlayStation 4, Minecraft will introduce bigger worlds and better draw distances, as on the Xbox One, with a suggested price of 19.99 dollars or Euro.
The save transfer situation and the transfer of DLC will work in the same way as on the Microsoft-made next-gen console.
Mojang says that it will be offering more details on the new version of Minecraft in the coming months, including clear launch dates.
The game has already been a solid hit on the PC and on the Xbox 360, despite the fact that it has been available for longer than most AAA releases.
The indie experience has been praised for the freedom that it offers and for the incredible variety of content that gamers have been able to craft.
Mojang has been delivering constant updates for Minecraft and it seems that support will continue for some time on all platforms.