Minecraft's highly anticipated Tricky Trials update arrives as version 1.21 on June 13, 2024.
Revealed on the Minecraft blog, Mojang confirmed all platforms, meaning PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile, and more, would receive the update simultaneously.
The update's main addition is the mysterious, massive copper trial chambers which are full of "a slew of new challenges, mobs to do battle with, rewards to claim, and blocks to build with. "Players will find two new mobs, the Breeze and the Bogged alongside loot-filled vaults that can be unlocked with trial keys (and reward every player, not just the one who opens them).
These trial chambers have an optional ominous trial feature, which triggers more difficult trials when players have the Bad Omen status effect previously only used for pillager raids.
Update 1.21 also adds the mace and the wind charge, two combat features that players got to try out in a previous snapshot, alongside the long-awaited crafter, which uses Redstone to make crafting automatic, as well as new armor trims, pottery sherds, banners, and decorative blocks. Notably, the game is receiving new paintings for the first time since 2012, with original painting artist Kristoffer Zetterstand working on 15 of the new 20.
Minecraft turned 15 this month, but it's still as popular as ever. Netflix has announced a Minecraft animated series, and Minecraft itself is still one of the most played games. However, some of the game's annual updates have been controversial, with some players "unionizing" in hopes of stopping Mojang's mob vote last fall.
Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they've contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun, and they're currently developing a game called Garage Sale. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.
