Minecraft PC and XBox bundle?

12. 12. 2022

The world's most popular sandbox survival video game will be free to all Xbox Game Pass PC owners (or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) on November 2nd. The PC bundle also includes the highly-popular Java edition and the cross-playable Bedrock edition. This means you can share your creativity with your friends in even more ways.

Minecraft PC Bundle with Xbox Game Pass

Although Minecraft Bedrock edition is available on Xbox Game Pass for consoles for some time, we have not been able to access the PC versions, including the Java-exclusive Java edition. All that changed on November 2nd. This completes the current Minecraft roster. All Minecraft games, including Dungeons are now available to all Xbox Game Pass subscribers on Windows 10 or 11.

What is the difference between Java & Bedrock? And why are they so different? What does each of these mean? Does this mean that you will be able play all of the new updates to Minecraft? Let's get down to the bottom of it and find out.

Minecraft Bedrock edition

Minecraft Bedrock Edition is the console version of the game. It is also compatible with Windows 10 and 11 computers (also known under Windows 10 edition). This edition was created when Microsoft combined the PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch editions of Minecraft into one.

Bedrock Edition exclusive: The Minecraft Marketplace is an in-game shop where you can purchase maps, texture packs, and skins created by content creators from around the globe. These add-ons are usually paid for so you can help the Minecraft community.

Some items have been added to Bedrock over the years at different times and with different mechanics to Java. You might notice slight differences in gameplay between the two.

Minecraft Java Edition

Minecraft Java Edition is the PC-only edition of the game. Bedrock can also be played on PC, but there are some minor differences, such as the combat system and crafting recipes.

Java edition cannot access the Marketplace, but texture packs and maps can be downloaded from trusted Minecraft content creators. This comes with some risk, as it doesn't provide support for the creators the same way the Marketplace does. Before downloading any Minecraft content, make sure that you are able to trust the source. Keep in mind, however, that trusted Marketplace creators often started this way so you might be discovering the next generation Minecraft map creators.

Java edition is not compatible with other Java editions, but you can still play on dedicated servers with hundreds of miners and craftspeople. Either you can start your own server with your best friends (called a Realm) or join a large, global Minecraft community in one of the many Minecraft Servers.

It's all accessible via the Minecraft Launcher

The PC bundle will allow you to access both Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft from one launcher. It's easy to switch between the versions as you play.

Minecraft Cross-play

Because Java and Bedrock are developed in different ways, cross-play between them is impossible. Although they don't have the exact same content, parity between them is Mojang Studios' priority. Recent and upcoming updates will be made together.

Cross-play is possible on all platforms where Bedrock is available. You can play Bedrock Edition on your Windows PC, while your friend is playing on the PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch. You will need a Realm to play with your friends.

Minecraft Caves and Cliffs and the Wild Updates

Every year Minecraft receives a major update. The Caves and Cliffs part 2, and Wild updates, are both due in the next twelve months. These are both hugely exciting and game-changing updates to Minecraft. Java and Bedrock editions both get updates simultaneously, so you can access all new features immediately, no matter which version you are playing.