Minecraft has split off and delayed parts of its big Caves & Cliffs update Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Minecraft has split off and delayed parts of its big Caves & Cliffs update Some features pushed back until year end. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 14 Apr 2021 7 comments Minecraft's big Caves & Cliffs Update has been split in two, with the latter part now not due until "around the holiday season", developer Mojang said today. While some of the update will still arrive this summer - more on that below - this constitutes a delay for many of its more ambitious parts. Watch on YouTube Explaining the cause in a detailed blog post and FAQ, Mojang said that "significant technical challenges" had stemmed from the far-ranging nature of this update, which touches on fundamental parts of Minecraft's world-generation system. "With this feature, we are completely reshaping the Overworld, including the build height," Mojang wrote. "Not only do we have to consider every effect this can have on the world but also how it will affect performance. Basically, having more stuff in the game also slows it down and we want to avoid that." The knock-on from this was a potential impact to team health and the need to work "very long hours", Mojang continued. "Even then, there would've been no guarantee that everything would be finished on time. Lastly, working from home as we cope with the pandemic is still challenging - not just in terms of morale but also by hindering teamwork." This summer will still see the launch of the update's planned mobs (animals), items and new blocks. Mojang listed these as: "Goat, Axolotl, Crystals + Spyglass + Geodes + Tinted Glass, Copper + Lightning Rod, Glow Squid + Glow Ink, Powder Snow, Lush Cave Blocks, Dripstone Cave Blocks, Deepslate + Ore Variants, Glow Lichen, and Multiplayer Sleeping Rule (Java only)." Everything else will now arrive later. Mojang first detailed its Caves & Cliffs update at Minecon 2020 last October, and acknowledged at the time that it would take longer than usual. The update is set to vary Minecraft's caves and introduce various new types, underground lakes and waterfalls to raft down. A new archaeology system was also mentioned, which will let you discover buried ruins you can dust off to find artefacts. Above ground, cliffs are being redesigned to look more like actual mountains. Speaking in the above video, Mojang said archaeology specifically had actually been delayed beyond the holiday season as it was a whole new system which would need longer still to get right. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store