Hey, folks! How’s it going? Today I’ve got a post that’s sure to make you jump with excitement, because I’m going to tell you about one of the coolest updates that came to Minecraft, the Minecraft Preview 1.21.80.25. I know, I know, it sounds like a long and weird number, but trust me, this update is worth it. And no, I’m not exaggerating (well, maybe just a little, but it’s really that awesome).
This update is full of surprises, and if you thought everything was calm in the world of Minecraft, get ready because now you have a happy ghast flying through the skies of the Nether. Yep, you heard that right! But not only that, there are a bunch of new features to enjoy on your next adventure, like Vibrant Visuals. Yes! The very thing we’ve all been waiting for to make Minecraft more colorful and with top-notch visual effects. But I won’t spoil everything just yet, here are the details.
Get ready to fly on a Happy Ghast!
First things first, the coolest thing about this new version is the arrival of the Happy Ghast. This is a new type of flying mount you can ride, and it can carry up to four players. That’s right, now you can embark on an epic flight with your friends, soaring through the Nether skies on a ghast as happy as your grandma when you buy her some new shoes.
How do you get your own Happy Ghast? It’s simple, just find a Dried Ghast (yep, a dried ghast!). You’ll find it in the Nether, specifically in structures called Nether Fossils, and by feeding it snowballs (yes, seriously!), you can grow it into a small Ghastling. This baby ghastling will follow players around and can even be tempted with more snowballs. But be careful, if you take good care of it and keep feeding it more snow, it will eventually turn into your flying friend. So, if you want to mount the Happy Ghast, first you need to be a good “parent” to your Ghastling.
The Happy Ghast has some interesting features that make it even cooler. For example, it doesn’t panic when it takes damage—how awesome is that? It also has a special healing process that speeds up when it rains or snows. The first player who gets on will control the ghast, while other players can sit around it. Incredible, right?! And if you ever decide to get off this flying mount, the ghast will begin to descend back to the ground before returning to its spot.
The only downside (but don’t worry, they’re fixing it) is that the Happy Ghast has more health than it should (currently 40 health points, but the goal is for it to have only 20). But no worries, they are working on it!
Dried Ghast: A block that brings a new mob to life
Now, if you’re wondering how to get that Dried Ghast that unlocks all these events, the answer is simple: use a bone block and 8 ghast tears to make it. This block, when “moistened” by water for 20 minutes, can spawn a Ghastling, which as I mentioned, is the little buddy that eventually becomes the great and happy ghast.
This block also makes sounds and emits particles depending on its phase, so if you’re observant, you’ll enjoy those little details. And be careful: if you mine it while it’s “wet,” the block returns to its original state. If you remove the water, it becomes dry again, so don’t let it dehydrate!
Vibrant Visuals: Everything looks more beautiful!
Another cool change in this version is the new Vibrant Visuals option, which will give the game an even more impressive look. For those who have devices that support this feature (like the latest Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Android, and iOS), you’ll be able to see changes in visual effects, lighting, and shadows. The water now shines in a way that will leave you speechless, and the shadows move more smoothly, like the world itself is coming to life.
Of course, it’s not perfect yet, because the feature is still in development, and some devices might experience a few visual glitches, like dark underwater surfaces or pink textures. But all that is being worked on. Honestly, this new feature promises to give a more spectacular touch to your adventures, so if you can, try it out now!
The Harness: The tool to ride the Happy Ghast
To ride your Happy Ghast, you’ll need the new Harness, a saddle made with leather, glass, and wool. This harness lets you mount the ghast, and it can also be removed with scissors (but only when there are no players mounted). This harness isn’t just functional, but you can also change its color depending on the wool you use to craft it. So imagine, flying on your Happy Ghast with a harness that matches your skin—it’s going to be a showstopper!
New Features and Additional Improvements
Besides all of this, there are a ton of technical adjustments and fixes in this version. From blocks like flowers and plants to improvements in game performance. For example, issues with player models when using custom skins were fixed, and mobs like farmers no longer get stuck when collecting crops. There were also bug fixes with player crafting recipes, so everything will work much better now.
Report Any Bugs and Share Your Feedback!
As always, Mojang wants to know what you think of all these new features, so if you find any bugs or have suggestions, you can go to feedback.minecraft.net to leave them. Plus, if you encounter any bugs (which you probably will), you can report them at bugs.mojang.com. They’re always working on improving the gameplay experience, so your opinion really matters!
Vibrant Visuals: What’s the Deal?
Alright, let’s dive deeper into the Vibrant Visuals system. It’s not just another set of shaders the Mojang team added to make Minecraft look pretty. Oh no, this is much more than that! It’s the first official glimpse at a graphical improvement that makes everything in the game look like it got a touch of visual magic. To put it simply: these are advanced visual effects that improve lighting, shadows, water, and reflections, all with a brighter and more vibrant style. It’s like adding filters to your life, but in-game.
And the best part? This isn’t something that just appeared out of nowhere with no clear purpose. Nope, this is a system in development, which means they’ll keep refining it even more in future updates. So, what you see now could get a lot better over time!
How it Works and What Changes
To use the Vibrant Visuals in your Minecraft world, you need to enable the option from the Experimental tab when creating or editing your world. Then, within the game, you’ll need to go to the graphic settings and select the Vibrant Visuals mode. It’s that simple.
The interesting part is that you can choose between two main performance options within the graphic settings. If you have a powerful PC or device, you can give full power to the visuals, and if your device isn’t as powerful, you can choose the option that favors performance. So, whether you have a beast of a machine or a modest phone, you can still enjoy this new experience! Either way, if you’re into fine details, Vibrant Visuals will change a lot of things that’ll visually improve the game. Here are some of those changes that will make your eyes do a happy dance.
What Visual Changes Does This Bring?
Here’s the part you really need to pay attention to because the changes are amazing:
- Shiny Water: Yes, water in Minecraft now has a shine that makes it look way more realistic. The water not only looks prettier but now has a glow that makes it shimmer, like you’re looking at a lake on a sunny afternoon! It’s as if Minecraft’s world suddenly became a vibrant painting.
- Shadows that Move Like They Should: Shadows in Minecraft have always been a bit basic (not complaining, though!). But with Vibrant Visuals, shadows are now much more natural and dynamic. The coolest part is that they move. So, as you move through a field or jungle, you’ll see the shadows from trees and blocks adjusting as the sun moves. It’s no longer just a block game—now, it’s alive!
- Pixelated Reflections: If you’re a fan of reflections in games (and let’s face it, we all love seeing the sky reflected in the water), then Vibrant Visuals will give you exactly what you’ve been looking for. And yes, the reflections are pixelated, which gives them a unique touch. It’s like everything aligns better with the game’s textures, keeping that Minecraft style but taking it to the next level.
- Improved Lighting and Fog Effects: If you’ve ever found yourself watching dust particles float in a cave or underwater, then you know how in Vibrant Visuals, those types of details get maximized. The lighting, especially underwater or when there’s fog, looks way more intense and beautiful. The atmosphere in Minecraft, already magical, is now even more absorbing.
- Cloud Shadows and Lights: This one’s a cool little detail! Clouds in the sky now have special treatment. The shadows on clouds are way more detailed, and if you’re the type of player who enjoys watching clouds drift by as you explore the sky, this feature will make you fall in love with it. They look more volumetric, with light changing depending on the time of day or the weather in the game.
- Particle Effects: Minecraft’s particles, like the ones you see when breaking blocks or walking through snow, now shine with more brightness and clarity. This makes the game look good not only in the main environments but also makes every action, like breaking a block, have its own special visual effect. It’s like everything’s more polished with that extra touch of detail.
What Devices Can Run Vibrant Visuals?
Well, this part is important. To enjoy Vibrant Visuals, your device has to meet the game’s technical requirements. This means that some lower-end devices might not be able to run the game with all the visual effects, but if you have one of the latest or most powerful devices, you’ll be in heaven.
- Xbox (Series X|S, Xbox One)
- PlayStation (4 and 5)
- PC (Minecraft on DX12)
- Android (Adreno 640, Mali-G68, Mali-G77 or Xclipse 530 or higher)
- iOS (A12 or M1 or higher)
If your device meets the requirements, get ready to watch Minecraft transform into something almost surreal!
Known Issues (But Don’t Worry, They’re Fixing It!)
Like everything in beta, there are some visual glitches they’re fixing:
- Pink Textures: After suspending the game or exiting and entering the settings, textures may turn pink, but it’s a bug they’re working to fix.
- Dark Underwater Surfaces: Some deeper underwater areas look a bit dark, but they’re working on that too.
- Flickering Shadows: In some underground areas or near cave entrances, shadows may flicker, but they’re polishing that as well!
Conclusion
What I want you to take away from all this is that Vibrant Visuals are a new graphical experience that really improves how Minecraft looks. If you love details and enjoy seeing subtle yet impactful changes in your environment, this is the feature you’ve been waiting for. It’s like giving your game a high-end makeover! And the best part is, it’s going to keep improving.
So, if you have a device that supports these enhancements, don’t hesitate to enable them and enjoy a Minecraft like you’ve never seen before! What are you waiting for? Fly on your Happy Ghast under this new sky full of dynamic shadows and bright lights.