Minecraft Live 2025 Unveils Vibrant Visuals, Flying Happy Ghast

Minecraft Live 2025 has concluded, and Mojang has unveiled an exciting array of updates and new content for the world's best-selling video game. The developer kicked off the year with the first game drop, named "Spring to Life," set to launch on March 25. This update promises to enhance the Overworld by making biomes feel more immersive and alive. Players can look forward to new variants of cows, pigs, and chickens, as well as fresh ambient features such as the glittering firefly bush, falling leaves, and whispers of sand. These additions will enrich the exploration experience in Minecraft.

The second game drop of the year, though yet to be named, will introduce a new block called the Dried Ghast. This block, slightly smaller than a regular block and adorned with cute tentacles and a grumpy face, can be rehydrated to transform into a Ghastling—a baby ghast. With care, the Ghastling can evolve into a Happy Ghast, a new mob variant. Players can craft a Ghast harness to ride the Happy Ghast, allowing up to four players to fly together. This feature will be particularly useful for builders in Survival Mode, offering a taste of Creative Mode freedom within the constraints of Survival.

Mojang also announced a significant visual upgrade titled "Vibrant Visuals." This upgrade aims to transform the visual experience of Minecraft without altering gameplay. For a deeper dive into this update, check out IGN's dedicated article and visuals comparison video.

In addition to game updates, Mojang shared an exclusive clip from the upcoming "A Minecraft Movie" and announced a movie-themed in-game live event. This event, set to begin on March 25 and run until April 7, will take place in Midport Village. Players will join Steve and his movie companions in a dynamic multiplayer experience, defending the village from a piglin attack through three mini-games. Completing all challenges during the event will reward players with the Yearn cape.

During our visit to Mojang's offices in Sweden, we learned more about the developer's stance on future developments. Mojang has no plans to create a Minecraft 2, shift to a free-to-play model, or use generative AI in game development.

Minecraft Live 2025 — Everything Announced:

• Mojang Studios announced the name, launch date, and features of the first game drop of the year, as well as upcoming features in the second game drop of the year.
• The first game drop of the year is called “Spring to Life,” and introduces a variety of updates to the Overworld that will make biomes feel more immersive and alive.
• Spring to Life adds warm and cold variants of some of Minecraft's classic mobs, new ambient features like the glittering firefly bush, falling leaves, and whispers of sand, and more reasons to explore.
• The second game drop of the year includes the new Dried Ghast block, the new Ghastling and Happy Ghast mob variants, and the Ghast harness.
• The Dried Ghast is a little bit smaller than a regular block and has cute little tentacles and a grumpy face.
• If you pick up the Dried Ghast from the Nether and put it in water, eventually it will become a much happier Ghastling.
• The Ghastling floats around the Overworld like a little balloon. Feed it snowballs and eventually it will grow up to become a flying Happy Ghast.
• If you craft a harness for the Happy Ghast, tempt it to come closer with the harness itself, then jump on it. From there, you and up to three other players can fly around on a single Happy Ghast.
• The new Locator Bar feature, positioned at the bottom of the screen, lets you see in which direction your friends are. That will be useful for finding friends while flying a Happy Ghast.
• Mojang said the Happy Ghast will be useful for Survival Mode builders, because "it's a bit like being in Creative Mode, but in Survival." The platform lets you position wherever you like in the sky and dismount.
• Mojang Studios announced a visual upgrade for Minecraft, titled Vibrant Visuals.
• Mojang revealed an exclusive A Minecraft Movie clip and announced an in-game movie-themed live event.
• The live event takes place in Midport Village, and sees players join Steve and his companions from the movie in an evolving multiplayer experience where you defend the village from a piglin attack in three mini-games.
• The live event runs from March 25 to April 7, and if you complete all the challenges you earn the Yearn cape.