Native 4K Support Arrives for Minecraft on Xbox Series X and Series S Consoles

After years of anticipation, Minecraft players using the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles can finally enjoy native 4K resolution support with the latest Minecraft preview (Version 1.20.60.23) now live. In addition to the graphical upgrade, the update also introduces experimental features like the Armadillo mob, Armadillo Scutes, and new commands.

As of October 2023, Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling video games of all time, surpassing even the immensely popular GTA 5.

Prior to this update, the version of Minecraft on Series X|S ran at a resolution of 1080p, the same as the previous gen console, Xbox One. This was a disappointment for many players given the capabilities of the Xbox Series X|S. The addition of 4K support is expected to breathe new life into the game and appeal to a wider audience.

With 4K support, Minecraft on Xbox Series X and S will offer better, sharper visuals, enhancing the environmental landscapes and providing a more immersive gaming experience. The textures will appear smoother and more detailed, elevating the overall visual quality of the game.

As of now, the 4K Support feature is only available in the Minecraft Preview program, which allows players to test pre-release features without affecting their standard Minecraft: Bedrock Edition experience.

Promise of 4K in 2017

In June 2017, Minecraft announced at E3 that they would be releasing an update for consoles featuring graphics rendered in stunning 4K HDR with the Super Duper Graphics pack. This was meant to include dynamic shadows, lighting passing through fog, leaf movement, new textures, specular maps, dynamic explore, and more, at a cost of $10 USD.

Despite the initial promotion during Minecon Earth 2017, the update was ultimately delayed and canceled in 2019 due to issues with the graphics engine, compatibility, and performance.

Ray Tracing in Minecraft on Xbox Series X|S Consoles

While the Xbox Series X/S consoles are capable of ray tracing, implementing it in Minecraft presents technical challenges related to optimization. The process is expected to take time, particularly in ensuring optimal performance on the less powerful Series S.

In 2022, a ray tracing build was accidentally released to Xbox players via the Preview program, but it wasn’t ready for release at that time. Since then, there have been no updates or information regarding Minecraft’s Ray Tracing on Xbox Series X|S, leading to frustration among players.

PC players can currently experience Ray Tracing on DirectX capable devices, such as GeForce RTX GPU and select AMD GPUs. While Mojang may be prioritizing this over Ray Tracing for Xbox, there is still hope for its eventual introduction on consoles if they offer any official confirmation.

What’s Next After Preview?

During its Preview stage, the feature will undergo testing to address any instability, bugs, and performance issues based on community feedback. Once the issues are resolved, the feature could be included in the upcoming 1.21 update for Minecraft.

It’s important to note that as per the patch notes, the work-in-progress versions can be unstable and may not be representative of the final version quality. Minecraft Preview is available on Xbox, Windows 10/11, and iOS devices.

With competitors vying for Minecraft’s audience, such as LEGO Fortnite, Mojang must continue to innovate, and the addition of 4K support is a step in the right direction.