Minecraft mini-games will finally be available to those playing the game’s console ports, Mojang announced on Thursday, beginning with the deathmatch-focused Battle game that heads to the PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U versions of Minecraft sometime next month.
For those still playing the original version of Minecraft, the introduction of a new mini-game isn’t exactly headline-worthy news. Ignoring the fact that PC players have had access to Mojang’s mini-games, the widespread availability of Minecraft mods has given pretty much anyone with a basic understanding of the game’s inner-workings the ability to mold Mojang’s sandbox game into whatever experience they desire. But the same can’t be said for fans playing the various console ports of Minecraft. Thankfully, next month’s Battle mini-game is just the first of several new games that Mojang and 4J Studios plan to release for Minecraft: Console Edition.
According to Mojang, Battle will adapt the classic deathmatch gameplay we’ve come to expect from games like Call of Duty or DOOM for the blocky world of Minecraft. The Battle mini-game supports local competitive matches, via four-player splitscreen, while also allowing players to compete online against as many as seven other Minecraft players. Three different arenas will be included with the mini-game at launch, each with unique weapon and resource placement, and Mojang has even simplified the loot system to better accommodate the faster gameplay.
Unfortunately, the new Battle mini-game won’t be available for download until sometime this June. On the plus side, the corresponding update will be a free download for anyone who owns a console port of Minecraft. Mojang also says additional arena packs will eventually be released on each platform, priced at $2.99 per pack, and that new mini-games will also be revealed down the line.
For a closer look at Minecraft ’s upcoming Battle mini-game, take a few minutes to check out all of the new screenshots in our gallery. Then head down to the comments section and let us know if you’re looking forward to checking out the Battle mini-game when it deploys to the various console ports of Minecraft sometime next month.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes.com and follow Scott on Twitter for additional Minecraft coverage throughout 2016 and for as long as Mojang supports Minecraft in the years to come.
