Minecraft Gets First New Dimension in 14 Years: The Sift Arrives in 2027

Mojang Studios has confirmed that The Sift, a new dimension first arriving in Minecraft Dungeons II, will come to Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions in 2027. The announcement marks the first new dimension for the base game in over 14 years, joining the Overworld, the Nether, and The End.

The Sift was revealed at Gamescom and showcased in detail during Minecraft Live. Players will first experience the dimension when Minecraft Dungeons II launches on September 29 across Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game will be included with Xbox Game Pass and available through Xbox Play Anywhere for console and PC at no additional cost.

According to the official announcement, The Sift represents an entirely new reality with a distinct visual style. The dimension introduces new biomes, including Meadows and Carapace, alongside other areas Mojang is keeping secret for players to discover. New mobs will serve as both companions and threats, each unique to the dimension.

Gameplay in The Sift operates under different rules than the standard Minecraft experience. Shifting tides within the dimension can affect player characters and surrounding entities. Hazardous new blocks will alter how players approach exploration, while new environments will test their skills in unfamiliar ways.

While Mojang has not detailed how players will access The Sift in the base game or how it will differ from its presentation in Dungeons II, the developer has suggested that playing Dungeons II will provide a preview of the mobs, blocks, and biomes players can expect. Mojang plans to share more details during future Minecraft Live events.

The Sift announcement comes alongside other Minecraft updates. New ice caves are coming to the game's coldest biomes, featuring glowing ice crystals, ice balls, and hostile frozen zombie mobs. Additionally, Minecraft will make its Nintendo Switch 2 debut on October 27 with support for Vibrant Visuals, the game's official visual enhancement offering improved graphics and performance options.