New Variants and Features in Minecraft Beta
Minecraft has recently introduced a delightful array of pig variants in its beta version, showcasing both cold and warm climate adaptations. While these new additions have certainly made waves in the gaming community, other barnyard inhabitants have been patiently awaiting their turn in the spotlight. Now, the cows are set to join the fray with their own cold cow and warm cow variants, bringing a fresh twist to the pastoral landscape.
The cold climate bovine draws inspiration from the iconic highland cow, a breed that many enthusiasts, including myself, would argue is the epitome of bovine beauty. Meanwhile, the warm cow variant boasts a rich, deeper shade of brown, adding a touch of variety to the herd.
In addition to these charming bovines, this latest update introduces a whimsical firefly bush, which flourishes near water bodies and emits a gentle glow as night descends. Players can even dig up these luminous bushes and plant them beneath other blocks to create a sparkling effect, though the sentiments of the fireflies regarding this practice remain a mystery. Furthermore, an ordinary bush has made its debut in lush forest biomes, accompanied by new ambient sounds that enhance the experience in desert environments.
All these exciting features are now accessible in the Minecraft: Java Edition’s snapshot beta, with plans for their arrival in the Bedrock beta in the near future. Bedrock players, however, are already enjoying the crunchy leaf litter and decorative wildflowers that were introduced alongside the pig variants earlier this month.
As a recent convert from Bedrock to Java Edition, my son and I are thrilled to explore the expanded universe of skins and mods. My son has taken to playing on the Steam Deck, which presents its own set of challenges in terms of performance. This transition means that I will be holding off on installing any Java Edition betas for the time being, as many mods often lag behind the latest updates.
But who really needs constant updates when we have Ollie’s curated list of the best Minecraft mods to keep our adventures fresh and exciting?
