An X user created a Minecraft clone in 20 minutes using Anthropic's AI model, Claude Fable 5. The game features multiple biomes, day-night cycles, a variety of ores, and intricate caves.
On June 9, Anthropic launched the Claude Fable 5 “Mythos-class” model, which has gained attention for its capabilities in game development. The model can clone popular games like Minecraft and Pokémon efficiently, producing a Minecraft clone in 20 minutes and a Pokémon clone in one hour. Users have reported impressive results, including the recreation of all 151 Gen-1 Pokémon with real sprites and game mechanics. Claude Fable 5 is part of Anthropic's premium offerings, with a pay-as-you-go pricing model that is more expensive than previous models. Benchmarks show that both Mythos 5 and Fable 5 excel in various domains, including coding and cybersecurity.
Minecraft Dungeons II is set to launch on September 29, 2026. Players who pre-order the game will receive two unique hero skins, a “Twisted” Cape, and a “Twisted Chicken” Pet. The Standard Edition costs .99 and the Deluxe Edition costs .99. The Deluxe Edition includes four hero skins, a “Ghost” Cape, a “Blub” Pet, and the first two downloadable content expansions upon their release. There is no deadline for acquiring Deluxe Edition rewards, but pre-ordering before the launch date ensures access to the pre-order rewards. The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, and PC (via Steam).
At the Summer Game Fest, Xbox announced Minecraft Dungeons II, a sequel to the 2021 game. The sequel features a vast interconnected world for exploration, new biomes, and a feature called Guiding Light to assist players in navigating. It supports up to four players in cooperative play with options for couch co-op and online multiplayer, including matchmaking and crossplay. Quality-of-life improvements allow inventory access without pausing and teleportation between players. Combat has evolved with new movement abilities and mechanics, and loot distribution ensures fairness, with each player receiving unique drops. The game will launch on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass.
The June Xbox Games Showcase revealed an animated trailer for Minecraft Dungeons II, featuring a skilled swordsman battling zombies and enhanced creepers with the help of teammates. The gameplay showcases various environments, including a snowy mountain and a dungeon, culminating in a boss fight against a lava monstrosity golem. The heroes discover a portal with sculk growth and face a Twisted Warden. Minecraft Dungeons II is set to launch on September 29th, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are available for .99 USD for the Standard Edition and .99 USD for the Deluxe Edition, which includes bonuses like hero skins and a pet.
Minecraft Dungeons, released in 2020, has attracted over 25 million players by 2023 and has received updates that include new biomes and endgame activities. The original Minecraft continues to thrive as it approaches its 15th anniversary, supported by regular updates and spin-offs like Minecraft: Story Mode and Minecraft Legends. A Minecraft Movie has grossed over 1 million globally. The franchise has collaborated with other franchises, such as Dragon Ball Z, and has a presence in games like Super Smash Bros.
Hourglass Studios has released the Ocean Expansion Add-on 3.0, featuring 84 marine creatures and an underwater vehicle. Tools by Misfits offers gadgets like night vision goggles and jetpacks. TNTgames' Living Dead add-on introduces undead mobs and a miniboss, the Skeleton King. Glowfischdesigns' Combat Utilities enhances combat with enemy health bars and off-hand weapons. SandBlock Studios' Stitched Monsters Add-on presents marionette-like creatures and crafting options. Ascent's Ultimate City Mash-up features a 2,000 by 2,000 urban world with over 30 vehicles. Logdotzip's Biome Weapons [DX] includes over 20 elemental weapons. 5 Frame Studios' Combine Mace allows weapon merging. Lifeboat's RVs offer outdoor exploration options. Dodo Studios' High School Roleplay provides interactive academic experiences. Blocky's Skyblock Lucky Block 2 adds random surprises to the skyblock format. Lifeboat's The Sky is Falling! challenges players with falling blocks. Honeyfrost's Ultimate PvP Texture Pack enhances visuals and user interface. Heropixel Games' Pastel Paradise features pastel-themed environments. 57 Digital's Wardens add-on offers ten unique skins, while ManaLabs' Strawberry Trends provides strawberry-themed skins. CupcakeBrianna's Cozy Cats HD Skin Pack includes ten cat skins. The Marketplace Pass includes 21 new add-ons, skin packs, texture packs, mini-games, and mash-ups.
The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and the PC Gaming Show 2026 featured several announcements, including:
- A remaster of Thief: The Dark Project by Nightdive Studios, set to release in Winter 2026.
- Empulse, inspired by Titanfall, with early access on June 24, 2026.
- A trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide highlighting the Skitarii class, with a playtest sign-up available on Steam.
- An exclusive trailer for Control Resonant, available for wishlist on Steam, with a demo ahead of its release on September 24, 2026.
- Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions launching in early access on June 11, 2026.
- Cassette Beasts 2002, an open-world RPG where players can collect and fuse monsters.
- Planet Zoo 2 gameplay reveal trailer scheduled for October 13, 2026.
- Arkheron, an isometric battle royale, with a developer interview emphasizing teamwork.
- Rivage, a sci-fi puzzle game releasing on August 13, 2026, with a demo available.
- El Paso, Elsewhere 2, a third-person shooter with over 20 handcrafted levels.
- Beast of Reincarnation, launching on August 4, 2026, from Game Freak.
- Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent, available now, transitioning from board game to PC.
- Armatus, a roguelite shooter set in a burning Paris, with a release window in Winter 2026.
- Dave The Diver: In The Jungle DLC launching on June 18, 2026.
- Total War: Warhammer 40,000, promising a grand strategy experience.
- Valheim 1.0 launching on September 9, 2026.
- Highlights of Exodus showcasing combat and exploration features.
- Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy, the latest installment in the horror series, with a gameplay trailer.
Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Broken Arms Games are releasing the solarpunk management game BioEden on PC via Steam on September 3, with future releases planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2. A demo is currently available for PC users. In BioEden, players act as a Keeper, tasked with revitalizing a world by crafting biomes for various animal species and restoring ecosystems. Players will discover debris sites to recycle materials, build structures, and establish solar energy and water systems while managing resources and pollution. The game features a Cosmic Collective of five Guilds, each with unique identities and philosophies that influence gameplay. BioEden emphasizes exploration and transformation without fail states or time constraints.
Focus Entertainment and Broken Arms Games announced the release of BioEden, a solarpunk management game, set to launch on September 3, 2026, on Steam, with later releases planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players will take on the role of a Keeper, tasked with revitalizing a distressed planet by building a self-sustaining network and resurrecting extinct animal species. A demo of BioEden is currently available on Steam, featuring a tutorial that introduces players to the game's mechanics.
