Minecraft Reveals First Features of Its Next Game Drop

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Even though 2026 has just begun, Mojang has already announced what’s new in Minecraft with its first update of the year. This update includes eight different versions of baby farm animals, and Minecraft players can try them out now through Java snapshots and Bedrock beta/preview versions.

2025 was a big year for Minecraft. Fans enjoyed both the release of A Minecraft Movie in April and four major updates to the game itself. The year started with the Spring to Life update in March, which added different types of animals depending on the climate. Then came Chase the Skies in June and The Copper Age in September, introducing fun additions like the Happy Ghast and Copper Golems. Finally, the Mounts of Mayhem update in December finished off the year with new creatures and the spear.

Minecraft Reveals New Versions of Baby Farm Mobs for Its First Game Drop of 2026

Mojang is planning to continue updating Minecraft, and has shared details about the next major content update coming in 2026. While the update doesn’t have a name yet, it will feature redesigned baby animals – often called ‘farm mobs.’ Currently, baby animals in the game are simply smaller versions of their adult counterparts with large heads. But according to game director Agnes Larsson, the new baby wolves, kittens, piglets, calves, chicks, ocelots, lambs, and rabbits will have completely new and unique designs, making each one look extra cute and special!

All New Versions of Baby Farm Mobs

  • Wolf Pup
  • Kitten
  • Piglet
  • Calf
  • Baby Chicken
  • Baby Ocelot
  • Lamb
  • Baby Rabbit

The baby animals in the game have been redesigned to be much cuter! The developers specifically focused on making their eyes more appealing – most creatures in the game have two-pixel eyes, but the babies now have just one, which the team found really charming. Each type of baby animal has different versions to match their adult counterparts – there are nine different wolf pups and eleven kitten variations, for example. To make them even more endearing, the team also added unique sounds for baby pigs, wolves, and cats. Along with these eight new baby animal designs, adult rabbits have also been updated with fluffy tails and new animations, like standing on their hind legs and tilting their heads.

Minecraft is Making Name Tags Craftable

As player farms get more crowded with creatures, Mojang is making it simpler to identify them. The latest update allows you to craft name tags using paper and any metal ingot. Before this, name tags were only found as rare drops in the game – through loot chests, fishing, or by trading with villagers. This change will be especially helpful for players who enjoy keeping track of their favorite in-game animals and companions.

Although we don’t know exactly when the next Minecraft update will arrive, looking at past releases can give us a hint. Last year’s first update, Spring to Life, came out in March. We might see a similar timeline in 2026, but Mojang needs to officially announce it first. Players can try out the new features now while they wait.

Keep in mind that the features currently available in the latest Java snapshot and Bedrock beta are still being developed and could change before the official release. Mojang is encouraging Minecraft players to share their thoughts and feedback to help ensure a smooth launch. While we don’t know everything that’s coming in this update yet, it’s going to make the Overworld much more charming!

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2026-01-08 05:05