Mojang Studios announced during Minecraft LIVE September 2026 that The Sift will arrive as the game's first new dimension in over 14 years, launching in Minecraft Dungeons II on September 29 before coming to Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027.
Minecraft fans tuning into the September 2026 broadcast received a massive roadmap update for both the sandbox staple and its upcoming dungeon-crawler spin-off. Alongside confirmation of the title's fourth official dimension, developers detailed new winter-themed world drops, marketplace audio customization, and a physical destination taking shape in the United Kingdom.
The Sift Joins Minecraft Dungeons II and Vanilla Minecraft
The headline announcement centers on The Sift, marking the first time Mojang has added a brand-new dimension to the core game since the introduction of the End more than 14 years ago. It joins the Overworld, the Nether, and the End as an official dimension. While the feature makes its immediate debut in Minecraft Dungeons II on September 29, 2026, vanilla players will gain access to the realm in 2027.
In the dungeon crawler, the Sift serves as a core narrative and exploratory hub.
“beautiful, vibrant, and teeming with souls.”
Laura de Llorens, Design Director on Dungeons II, via Gonintendo
The dimension features distinct areas such as the Meadow and the Carapace. Although Mojang kept vanilla implementation details under wraps during the stream, IGN notes that Mojang said next to nothing about how the Sift will function mechanically in the standard Java and Bedrock editions beyond previewing its visual style and a new mob.
Ice Caves and Frozen Zombies Head to Upcoming Game Drops
Beneath the surface, upcoming vanilla game drops will introduce Ice Caves, a rare underground extension of cold biomes filled with calcite blocks, natural icicles, and glowing ice crystals.
Exploration brings significant combat hazards. The biomes introduce the frozen zombie, a new hostile mob that inflicts a stacking freezing effect during melee attacks and hurls damaging, knockback-dealing ice balls. Defeated frozen zombies drop ice balls, which can be thrown as weapons or utilized in brewing stations to craft freezing potions.
Minecraft World Hotel and Escape the Nether Rollercoaster in London
Real-world attractions are expanding as well. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios announced that Minecraft World will open at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in London in 2027. The destination features the world’s first official Minecraft World Hotel, complete with themed rooms and a deep-sea diner. Thrill-seekers can also ride Escape the Nether, the world’s first indoor-outdoor Minecraft rollercoaster.
Marketplace Updates and Creator Platform Expansion
Mojang is also targeting audio customization and creator tools. Later this year, Sound Effects Packs will debut on the Minecraft Marketplace, bringing new auditory layers to player worlds. Meanwhile, Chief Creative Officer Jens Bergenström outlined objectives for the creator platform aimed at lowering technical barriers and improving systems for sharing user-generated content.
Minecraft Dungeons II launches on September 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
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