Digital world-builders who happen to own an Xbox One just got the news they’ve been waiting months to hear: the Minecraft Xbox One Edition release date. Microsoft and Mojang, the Minecraft developer, jointly announced that Minecraft Xbox One Edition will release worldwide this August.
The specific date in August has yet to be announced, but it’s extremely likely that we’ll hear the specific Minecraft Xbox One release date at E3 in a couple of weeks.
Mojang said Minecraft Xbox One Edition will “debut” at $19.99, though it’s unclear what exactly that means for its long-term pricing. In light of the Xbox One Games With Gold June 2014 list announced recently, it may also mean Minecraft Xbox One Edition could see a discount for Xbox Live Gold subscribers shortly after (or coinciding with) the game’s release.
If you’re already an owner of Minecraft on Xbox 360, the Xbox One Edition will only cost you $4.99. That’s not too bad for an “upgrade,” especially considering you’ll still be able to play the Xbox 360 version. Minecraft for Xbox One and Xbox 360 will obviously exist on different consoles, so it’s not like one will overwrite or replace the other.
All features from the Xbox 360 Edition will make their way into Minecraft Xbox One Edition. Mojang confirmed that the game will also support the ability to import all saved-game data and your customized Minecraft world onto your Xbox One.
Most but not all of your downloadable skins and texture packs will also make the jump to Xbox One, “though not all of them.” Unfortunately Mojang did not specify which skins — including the Mass Effect skin shown above — will or will not be available on Xbox One.
Still, the long-awaited Minecraft Xbox One Edition release date is coming in August, just a little more than two months away. For the millions of Minecraft fans who have been waiting for this news, today’s a great day even if there are some news holes still remaining.
