Minecraft players now have an easier way to switch between trying out its new features and its standard gameplay.
Minecraft developer Mojang Studios recently announced it is developing a separate app/game that would allow players to test out the game's future features without impacting their standard Bedrock experience.
Minecraft Preview Details
According to Mojang Studio's announcement, Minecraft Preview is an evolution of the game's Bedrock Beta Program that would allow players to play on a Beta or the released version on the same device. The addition of this app/game would enable Minecraft players to try out the game's upcoming features while their normal run is unaffected, allowing them to test the new features without reservations.
However, using Minecraft Preview will lock players out of the base game's key features, which include cross-platform multiplayer, featured servers (Realms), unlocking achievements, and marketplace on some platforms.
Despite the changes, the process of reporting bugs and feedback remains the same, Mojang Studios said.
Minecraft Preview will also not be preserving most settings, including Family Settings, from the retail version of the game, per the game's Xbox Store page. It will not also transfer any worlds played in it to the base game. However, any content owned in the game's marketplace will work in Minecraft Preview.
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Additionally, any content bought in the Marketplace while in preview will use players' existing Minecoin balance and would transfer to the base game.
Mojang Studios said that while Minecraft Beta has been "a great way" to get feedback on "Minecraft's" upcoming features, Minecraft Preview would allow it to grow and improve the Beta program more robustly.
The studio also mentioned the app/game will be coming to several Bedrock platforms this year but will first come to iOS, Xbox, and Windows 10/11 operating systems. In fact, Minecraft Preview is already available on Windows PC for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Subscribers. Meanwhile, Minecraft Preview will also be added to Game Pass for Xbox consoles later in 2022.
Minecraft Beta is still available on Xbox, Windows, and Android, but the Xbox and Windows Beta program will have some overlap with Minecraft Preview before Minecraft Beta is retired.
It isn't known when Mojang Studios will officially retire Minecraft Beta, but it could happen when Minecraft Preview is available on all possible platforms.
How to Install Minecraft Preview
To install Minecraft Preview on iOS devices, players will need to sign up with Testflight first and wait for Mojang Studios to provide a spot, as these are limited in number.
Any Windows PC user who already owns the Bedrock version of Minecraft can install Minecraft Preview by going to the Xbox Game Pass store and installing it. Refreshing the page once should restore the "Install" button if it does not appear. Should the problem be encountered immediately or the "Install" button does not appear after multiple tries, Mojang Studios provided a link that would redirect players to the Microsoft Store page for Minecraft Preview to install it.
Meanwhile, PC users who already own the Bedrock version of Minecraft or have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass on PC can get the game by going to the Xbox Game Pass store and installing it. If the install button does not appear, refreshing the page once may resolve the issue. If it still does not appear, it is advised that users click on the Mojang Studios' link to the Microsoft Store Page for Minecraft Preview to install.
Game Pass subscribers can find Minecraft Preview in the Game Pass section of the Xbox Application.
Although Mojang Studios hasn't released Minecraft Preview on Xbox, the game is available to all Xbox Insiders.
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