Minecraft is coming to Chromebook, and early access is out today
One of the biggest games of all time is coming to a new platform.
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What you need to know
Minecraft, one of the best-selling and most popular video games in the world, is coming to Chromebooks. Its developer, Mojang Studios, has officially announced the game’s arrival on the new platform in ablog post, noting that the new version will be a variant of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and that it will launch first in early access before becoming available to everyone.
Like the Xbox and Windows PC versions of Bedrock Edition,Minecrafton Chromebook will feature full cross-platform play support, access to the Minecraft Marketplace where both official and community creations can be purchased, and the ability to connect to private always-onlineMinecraft Realm serverswith friends. Something important to know, though, is that existing worlds will not transfer to the Chromebook version from other Minecraft platforms or the trial version of the game.
Notably, Mojang is making the early access version of Minecraft on Chromebook availabletodayon the Google Play Store for anyone using a Chromebook that meets the minimum requirements listed below. Recommended specs include the Android 9 “Pie” OS and a Intel N4500, Mediatek MT8173, or Rockchip RK3288 CPU, but these aren’t required to install the early access version. Make sure to read through the officialMinecraft Chromebook Early Access FAQfor full details.
Mojang has confirmed that the full version of Minecraft on Chromebook will include the upcomingTrails & Tails updateonce it releases. However, it sounds like the early access version will not get the update, so Chromebook players will have to be patient until the complete version of the game launches. The developers don’t have an official release date for the full version yet, but hopefully one is coming soon.
Minecraft for Chromebook will be available within the $20 Minecraft for Chromebook + Android Bundle on the Google Play Store. This bundle includes both the Chromebook and Android versions of the game. Alternatively, if you’ve bought the Android version for $7.49, you can upgrade it to include the Chromebook edition for $12.50.
The developers say that some bugs with this new version of Minecraft are expected, and that players can help Mojang squash them by reporting them. This can be done withMojang’s official bug reporting tools, or by writing a bug report on theofficial Minecraft Discord server.
Minecraft for Chromebook + Android Bundle
This $20 bundle will give you access to Minecraft on both Chromebook and Android devices, provided that your Chromebook meets the game’s minimum requirements for early access. If you only see the Android verison, it means your Chromebook doesn’t satisfy these requirements.
Buy at:Google Play Store
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Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you’ll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he’s not writing or gaming, there’s a good chance he’s either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once.Follow him on X(Twitter).