The latest update to Minecraft

Loading

Up to five players will be able to cooperate or compete with one another over a local network on PC, iOS, Android, or Windows Phone. In addition to the cross-platform local area play included in the update, the Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta update allows "five friends play together over Xbox Live," according to Microsoft. Also coming to Pocket Edition in its latest update are new touch controls, the addition of controller support, and a controller mapping screen. The update also includes "the same enhanced weather effects" found in Windows 10 Edition Beta, "including snow accumulation and directional rain." Golems, ocelots, and new brewable potions are also coming to Pocket Edition, along with exploration of The Nether, Mineraft's lava-soaked hellscape.At Gamescom this year, Mojang told us it wanted Minecraft to have a more unified play community , and Windows 10 was the first step in that direction. Pocket Edition was the first planned platform to get onboard, and Xbox 360 and Xbox One editions are planned to follow suit. No mention was made for other, non-Microsoft platforms, however.

Seth Macy is a freelance writer who just wants to be your friend. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy , and MyIGN at sethgmacy , or check out Seth Macy's YouTube channel.