Closed captions, a feature available in the Java Edition of Minecraft, have been introduced in the Bedrock Edition, addressing a significant accessibility oversight for players transitioning from Java.
Mojang has officially introduced closed caption support to Minecraft Bedrock Edition after testing it through preview builds. This feature aims to create a more inclusive gaming environment for players who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Players can activate closed captions by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Gameplay, where they can customize the visibility duration, on-screen positioning, and select which sounds to display. The game will provide descriptions of nearby sounds and directional cues for sound sources. Mojang acknowledges potential issues with incorrect sound displays and encourages player feedback for improvements.
Participants who complete the latest challenge can claim a chaos crown, with options including the Sulfur Cube Head, Brawler Helmet, or Builder Helmet, and can choose to claim all three. The chaotic challenge is live in Minecraft, involving spawning sulfur cubes, feeding them TNT, and placing blocks. Challenges require Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and an active internet connection. Free player jerseys are available for Bedrock or Java Edition. Participation in online multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription. Bedrock players will receive in-game rewards upon completing each community challenge, with each player eligible for one of each reward, redeemable by June 16, 2027.
Prism Launcher is an open-source Minecraft launcher, a fork of MultiMC, licensed under GPL-3. It allows users to manage multiple isolated game instances, each capable of running different versions of Minecraft, mod loaders, and mod sets. The latest version, 11.0.2, was released in June 2026 and includes features such as integrated browsing for CurseForge and Modrinth, automatic Java switching, and support for mod loaders like Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt. It operates without ads and is cross-platform, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Key features include:
- Multiple instances: Unlimited isolated instances of Minecraft.
- Integrated mod browsers: Direct installation from Modrinth and CurseForge.
- Automatic Java management: Switches Java versions as needed.
- Support for major mod loaders: Easy instance creation with Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt.
- No ads: Self-contained experience without interruptions.
- Prerequisites: Requires a paid Minecraft: Java Edition license, specific operating systems, minimum RAM and disk space, and an internet connection.
Installation steps vary by operating system, with detailed instructions provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users must log in with a Microsoft account linked to their Minecraft license and can create instances for vanilla gameplay or install modpacks from Modrinth or CurseForge. Memory allocation settings can be configured per instance for optimal performance.
The new Parties feature in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition allows players to invite up to 14 friends to join their party, facilitating easy transitions between worlds and realms, and includes a private chat option. This feature is currently in beta on Xbox, PlayStation, and Windows PC. Additionally, players can participate in two community challenges and a multiplayer adventure, with a Marketplace Summer Sale scheduled from June 30, 2026, to July 28, 2026. All offers and challenges require Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and an active internet connection. Free player jerseys are available for both Bedrock and Java Edition. Participation in online multiplayer and certain challenges requires a platform-specific online subscription, and a Realms Plus subscription is necessary for Realms. Rewards from community challenges must be redeemed by June 16, 2027.
Minecraft Java Edition 26.2, titled Chaos Cubed, will be released on June 16, 2026, featuring a new underground biome called sulfur caves, a unique mob named sulfur cube, and an experimental Vulkan graphics renderer. The sulfur caves introduce pale-yellow sulfur blocks and deep-red cinnabar, along with geysers that erupt every 50 seconds and sulfur spikes that can inflict damage. The sulfur cube is a passive mob that absorbs blocks, altering its behavior, and can transform into a mobile explosive when it absorbs TNT. The Vulkan renderer allows players to switch between OpenGL and Vulkan for improved performance, utilizing multiple CPU cores. A friends list feature will be added, enabling players to send friend requests and check online statuses, but peer-to-peer world hosting will not be included. Hardcore mode will now enforce permadeath by disabling certain options in the Open to LAN menu. The update also includes six new music tracks and the /unpublish command.
The second release candidate for Minecraft: Java Edition has been launched, fixing critical issues from the previous version. The following bugs were addressed:
1. MC-308731: A setup causing survival players to become softlocked with a sulfur cube has been fixed.
2. Respawn mechanics have been improved, particularly for players experiencing delays when respawning at the height limit.
Users can access the update by enabling snapshots in the Minecraft Launcher. It is recommended to back up data or run these versions in a separate folder to avoid potential world corruption. The cross-platform server jar is also available for download. Users are encouraged to report any bugs or feedback through the designated channels.
Today, the first release candidate for version 26.2 of Minecraft: Java Edition has been dispatched, along with the Chaos Cubed game drop. A bug fix in this release candidate resolved an issue where pressing the "Friends Screen" key bind did not display the friends list. The release candidates are available through the Minecraft Launcher, and users are advised to back up their data as testing versions may corrupt worlds. A cross-platform server jar is also available for download.
Today marks the release of the 26.2 Pre-Release 6 for Minecraft, which allows players to respawn as spectators in a hardcore world without needing to disable the spectatorsgeneratechunks game rule. The Pre-Releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and users can install it by launching the Minecraft Launcher and activating snapshots in the "Installations" tab. It is advised to back up data or run these versions in a separate folder due to potential world corruption.
26.2 Pre-Release 5 introduces adjustments to Hardcore mode settings and various bug fixes, with an official launch scheduled for June 16.
Changes include:
- Automatic adjustment of the Graphics API setting if a crash occurs during startup.
- Correction of the sound effect for hitting the sulfur cube in the bouncy archetype.
- World hosts can change the game mode using F3 + F4 or commands, updating the default game mode for the world.
- Removal of the "Game Mode" and "Allow Commands" buttons in Hardcore mode worlds.
Startup and Fallback Behavior for Graphics API:
- If a crash occurs at startup with "Prefer Vulkan" selected, it reverts to "Default."
- The game collects system information regarding Vulkan even when set to "Default."
- If a crash occurs with "Default," it switches to "Prefer OpenGL."
- "Prefer OpenGL" prevents interaction with Vulkan to avoid crashes.
Fixed bugs:
- Sounds for the bouncy sulfur cube play at appropriate volume levels.
- Flower patches now generate instead of single flowers.
- Spear with Lunge no longer launches players downwards on a geyser.
- Players cannot change their game mode from the World Options menu in hardcore worlds.
- Friends Screen key binding allows typing instead of closing the screen.
- Custom dialog buttons no longer disrupt the game menu.
- Adjusting command settings updates the "Game Rules" button state correctly.
- Changing game modes with commands reflects accurately in the World Options screen.
- The "Statistics" button has been realigned in the game menu.
- Correction of a string error in the friends error message.
- Game mode is no longer incorrectly set to Survival mode upon re-entering the save.
- Hardcore death cannot be circumvented by rejoining the world.
Pre-Releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and users are advised to back up their data before testing.