‘Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition’ Hits Thursday, Just Ahead Of Xbox One Version
Microsoft announced that Minecraft: Xbox One Edition would launch Friday, September 5 with no announcement from Sony about the Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition. That changed late Wednesday when the company finally revealed the PS4 version of the game is coming a day head of the version for the competing console.
Mojang’s Daniel Kaplan teased that the PlayStation 4 Edition might be released first hours after the Xbox One announcement. There were also rumblings that the game would be released Wednesday. However, Sony made it official with this Tweet and accompanying Playstation Blog post.
Yes! Minecraft PS4 Edition launches tomorrow in US: http://t.co/spOkYcseYv Upgrade from PS3, import your saves pic.twitter.com/5WExl99JtZ
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 4, 2014
Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition will launch Thursday, August 4 to the Playstation Store. Sony stated that it should be available on the Playstation Store before 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT.
Like the Xbox One Edition, Minecraft for the PlayStation 4 will cost $19.99, but existing Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition owners can upgrade for just $4.99. Technically, you don’t even have to own a copy of the game. Your Playstation account just needs to show that you’ve played it at some point, which Mojang admitted will lead to some free discounts for some.
Here’s how purchasing Minecraft works according to Sony.
For Existing PS3 Edition Owners (Disc or Digital)
On the PS4, simply log into PlayStation Store and find Minecraft PS4 Edition, and you’ll be able purchase the upgrade for $4.99.
Note: This entitlement applies to everyone who’s bought Minecraft PS3 Edition (Disc or Digitally) with a saved game and signed into their PS4 console using the same SEN account.
About to Purchase Minecraft PS3 Edition (Digital)
On the PS3, purchase Minecraft PS3 Edition for $19.99. Once you have made the purchase, you’ll be able to upgrade to the PS4 Edition for $4.99.
About to Purchase Minecraft PS3 Edition (Disc)
Those joining the Minecraft experience through disc purchase should find a voucher packed in with an entitlement code. If you have any questions, please reach out on @AskPlayStation on Twitter or our official Customer Support channel.
Meanwhile, Minecraft: PS Vita Edition is still in the works over at 4J Studios. There’s no release window for it yet, but existing Playstation 3 Edition owners will get it for free as part of Sony’s Cross-Buy program.
Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition and Minecraft: Xbox One Edition will support worlds that are 36 times larger than the PS3 Edition and Xbox 360 Edition. They will also support transferring worlds to the new editions. Increased multiplayer size and the ability to increase transferred world sizes will have to wait for an update, however.
Existing Xbox 360 and PS3 owners of Minecraft can upgrade to the next-gen console version for $5. If you have already purchased or plan to purchase Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition, you will receive Minecraft: PS Vita Edition for free. Minecraft creator Mojang also recently teased the possibility of custom servers so console players can run persistent worlds even when they are not playing.
Existing skin packs and texture packs will carry over to Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition, Minecraft: PS Vita Edition, and Minecraft: Xbox One Edition.
Updates for the Minecraft will continue for all platforms once the PS4 Edition, Xbox One Edition, and PS Vita Edition are released starting with update TU 17 / 1.07. Horses, Wither bosses, and Hoppers have all been teased for future updates; we just don’t know which one yet.
Will you pick up Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition when it releases? Let us know in the comments below.
[Images via Playstation Blog]
