Minecraft PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One editions get release dates, prices, details

Minecraft fans listen up, Mojang has revealed the release date, pricing, upgrade plans and details for the upcoming “slightly improved” PS4, PS Vita and Xbox One versions of Minecraft.

First of all, these new editions are all expected to be available in August.  The PS4 and Xbox One editions will set you back $19.99, but here’s the good news… Those who already own one of the console versions will be able to pick up the new next-gen editions for a small $4.99 upgrade fee instead of paying full price.

Most of the skin and texture packs will transfer over, and it’ll be possible to export your saves to the PS4 or Xbox One version as well (not the other way though).  Yes, Mojang loves its fans.

Secondly, the PS3 and PS Vita editions will be known as the Playstation 3 + Vita Edition, and will be Cross-Buy compatible, which means if you purchase one, you own both.  Those who already own the PS3 version will get the PS Vita edition for free.

There’s a lot to digest, so check it all out below or at Mojang’s site.

We?re finally able to share news about Minecraft on Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Playstation Vita.

Apologies for the delay, but putting Minecraft on new consoles is a serious business. People have been using phrases like ?logistically-speaking,? ?infinite terrain,? and ?platform parity?  for months now.

We?ve decided that letting current players upgrade for a small fee is the best way to show our appreciation. If you?re a new crafter who?s looking to pick up Minecraft in the next few months ? welcome!

We hope this post makes you happy!

Owen ? @bopogamel

• Minecraft: Xbox One Edition will be released on Xbox Live Marketplace in August. It brings significantly bigger worlds and a greater draw distance than Xbox 360 Edition.
• It will include all the features from the most recent Xbox 360 title update.
• Minecraft: Xbox One Edition will cost $19.99.
• If you?ve bought Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition from Xbox Live Marketplace, or played online with the disc version, you will be able to upgrade to Xbox One Edition for $4.99.
• You will be able to upgrade for a minimum of a year after the release date.
• Players with Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition saves will be able to import their worlds to Xbox One. Unfortunately, you won?t be able to transfer saves from Xbox One to Xbox 360. We can make worlds bigger without too much stress, but shrinking them causes all kinds of problems.
• Cross platform play will not be possible between Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
• Many, but not all, of the DLC skins and texture packs you?ve purchased for Xbox 360 Edition will be available for use in Xbox One Edition. We?d like to say all your DLC would transfer, but some of the items are trapped in licensing deals that are too boring to get into here. We?ll have more on this soon.

• Minecraft: Playstation 3 + Vita Edition will be available on the PSN in August.
• It will include all the features from the most recent Playstation 3 version, including online play on Vita.
• This means everyone who has bought Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition from PSN will get it on Vita for free. Those fluent in Sony-speak might refer to the deal as ?Cross-buy.?
• We are working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment to look into ways to enable upgrade from the Blu-ray disc version of Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition to Minecraft: Playstation 3 and Vita. We?ll have more info on this closer to release.
• Minecraft: Playstation 3 + Vita Edition will cost $19.99.
• It doesn?t matter if you buy for PS3 or Vita first, you own the game for both platforms.
• Saves are transferrable between the Playstation 3 and Vita versions of Minecraft. You will be able to craft at home on your Playstation 3, then continue on the bus/toilet with your Playstation Vita.
• All of the DLC you?ve purchased for Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition will work on Playstation 3 + Vita Edition.

• Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition will be released on the PSN in August. It brings significantly bigger worlds and a greater draw distance than Playstation 3 + Vita Edition.
• It will include all the features from the most recent Playstation 3 version.
• Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition will cost $19.99.
• If you?ve bought Playstation 3 Edition from the Playstation Network you will be able to upgrade for $4.99.
• You will be able to upgrade for a minimum of a year after the release date.
• We are working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment to look into ways to enable upgrade from the Blu-ray disc version of Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition to Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition. We?ll have more info on this closer to release.
• Players with Playstation 3 Edition or Playstation 3 + Vita Edition saves will be able to import their worlds to Playstation 4. Unfortunately, you won?t be able to transfer your saves from Playstation 4 to Playstation 3/Vita. There are technical reasons for this; we can make worlds bigger without too much stress, but shrinking them causes all kinds of problems.
• Cross-platform play will not be possible between Playstation 3 + Vita Edition and Playstation 4 Edition.
• Many, but not all, of the DLC skins and texture packs you?ve purchased for Playstation 3 Edition will be available for use in Playstation 4 Edition. We?d like to say all your DLC would transfer but some of the items are trapped in licensing deals that are too boring to get into here. We?ll have more on this soon.

Thanks for reading everybody!