Minecraft Live 2025 Unveils Vibrant Visuals, Flying Ghast, and More

Minecraft Live 2025 has wrapped up, and Mojang has unveiled a slew of exciting updates and new content for the iconic video game. The year kicks off with the first game drop, aptly named "Spring to Life," set to launch on March 25. This update will breathe new life into the Overworld, enhancing the immersion of biomes with new variants for cows, pigs, and chickens, as well as introducing captivating ambient features like the glittering firefly bush, falling leaves, and whispers of sand. These additions promise to make exploration even more rewarding.

The second game drop, yet to be named, will introduce innovative elements to Minecraft. Among these is the Dried Ghast block, a unique addition to the Nether that, when rehydrated, transforms into a Ghastling—a baby ghast variant. As Ghastlings mature, they evolve into Happy Ghasts, which players can ride using a specially crafted Ghast harness. This harness allows up to four players to fly together, enhancing the multiplayer experience. Additionally, the new Locator Bar feature will help players find their friends more easily, especially useful when navigating the skies on a Happy Ghast. Mojang highlighted that the Happy Ghast will be particularly beneficial for builders in Survival Mode, offering a taste of Creative Mode freedom.

In a significant visual overhaul, Mojang introduced 'Vibrant Visuals,' a major upgrade aimed at enhancing the game's aesthetics without altering gameplay. This upgrade represents the first step in Mojang's vision to transform how players experience Minecraft visually. For more details on the Vibrant Visuals update, check out IGN's dedicated article and visuals comparison video.

Mojang also shared a new clip for the upcoming "A Minecraft Movie" and announced a corresponding movie-themed in-game live event. This event, set to begin on March 25 in Midport Village, invites players to join Steve and his movie companions in a dynamic multiplayer experience. Participants will defend the village from piglin attacks across three mini-games, with the event running until April 7. Those who complete all challenges will be rewarded with the exclusive Yearn cape.

During our visit to Mojang's offices in Sweden, we learned more about the developer's stance on future developments. Mojang confirmed they have no plans to create a Minecraft 2, shift to a free-to-play model, or employ 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.