Minecraft Unveils Major Bedrock Update for September 2024

Minecraft has rolled out a substantial new update for Bedrock players this September, packed with exciting features and improvements. This latest update introduces a highly anticipated experimental feature along with a range of bug fixes, adjustments to items and blocks, and tweaks to gameplay mechanics.

Throughout 2024, Minecraft has seen a steady stream of changes, including the popular Armored Paws update for both the Java and Bedrock editions. With nearly 20 updates released since January, the game has continuously evolved with fresh content and enhancements. Staying true to this trend, the latest patch—version 1.21.30—brings an array of improvements and introduces a game-changing experimental feature now available to all Bedrock players.

What’s New in Patch 1.21.30

Released on September 17, patch 1.21.30 introduces a host of new features, with the standout addition being the Bundles experimental feature. Bundles allow players to stack various items together in a single inventory slot, a feature that wasn’t previously possible. This new mechanic enables players to conserve inventory space by combining multiple item stacks into one, making organization much more efficient.

In addition to Bundles, several existing items are receiving updates. According to the changelog on Minecraft’s website, both Banner Pattern and Smithing Template items now display their type directly in their name, removing the need for subtitle text. Blocks like logs and woods have also received attention. Logs, Stripped Logs, Woods, and Stripped Woods will now behave consistently in various situations, including as landing spots for parrots and other mobs.

Changes for PlayStation VR Users

Another notable change in this update is the beginning of the end for PlayStation VR support. Originally introduced in 2020, support for PlayStation VR will be phased out in 2025. The patch notes for version 1.21.30 confirm that any update released after March 2025 will no longer be compatible with PlayStation VR, though players will still be able to enjoy Minecraft on PlayStation without VR support.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

In addition to the major updates, patch 1.21.30 includes several bug fixes. A bug causing placeholder textures to appear has been resolved, and the invite screen in multiplayer mode now correctly displays the substatus. These are just a few of the many improvements that players can explore in this new update.

Experimental Feature: Bundles

The most exciting feature in this patch is the introduction of Bundles, which lets players group different items together in a single inventory slot. Normally, only identical items can stack, leading to wasted space. With Bundles, players can pack a variety of items together, optimizing their inventory usage.

- How to Use Bundles: Bundles are still experimental, so players need to enable the Bundle experiment when creating a new world. Currently, Bundles are being fine-tuned in Minecraft’s Preview and Beta versions, meaning players might notice slight differences during gameplay.

- Key Features of Bundles: Each Bundle can hold one full stack of items, but the stack can include a mix of different item types. Items can be added directly from the inventory, and a tooltip will display the contents of the Bundle, showing up to eight different items. Players can easily pull items from a Bundle or empty it onto the ground, one group at a time, using the scroll wheel, right stick, or touch controls, depending on the platform.

- Crafting Bundles: Bundles are crafted using one String and one Leather. Once a player collects either of these materials, the Bundle recipe will be unlocked.

- Known Issues: There are a few known issues with Bundles. For example, on touch devices, the wrong item icon may briefly appear when moving items. Additionally, Bundles may lose their contents if placed in Decorated Pots, given to an Allay, or moved via Hoppers and Droppers.

With patch 1.21.30 now live, Bedrock players have plenty of new content to explore and experiment with. Whether it’s mastering the new Bundles feature or discovering other gameplay improvements, this update promises to enhance the Minecraft experience for all.