Minecraft Update 26.3 has entered the final stage before release, with the first pre-release build now available for Java Edition. Mojang stated that the team is currently focusing on bug fixes, experience improvements, and final polishing.
The main focus of this update is the Mottled Forest. This biome, featuring autumnal colors, appears near cold biomes and contains aspen trees with leaves in red, yellow, and orange hues. When the corresponding saplings grow into trees, their leaf colors are determined randomly.
The Mottled Forest will also generate red shrubs and shelf mushrooms. Red shrubs retain their original color when brought back to the player's base and can be expanded using bone meal; shelf mushrooms grow on aspen trees and fallen logs, have a bouncy property similar to beds, and can also be used to make stew like regular mushrooms.
New building components include concrete stairs, concrete slabs, wool stairs, and wool slabs, all of which can be crafted in the game's existing 16 standard colors. Three wool slabs arranged horizontally can be crafted into cushions, which serve not only as decorations but also allow players to sit down. According to the original text, this marks the first time a sitting feature has been added in Minecraft's 17-year history.
Aspen wood can also be used to build aspen boats. Players can also craft straw beds using hay bales; these beds can only be used once, allowing players to sleep but not resetting their respawn point.
Another major addition is abandoned camps. These structures can generate in various biomes and change their appearance based on the surrounding area. Barrels and chests appear near the camps, potentially containing basic items, tools, materials, and explorer maps. The maps may mark other abandoned camps in different biomes or point toward ancient cities, abandoned mineshafts, desert temples, or warm ocean ruins.
Minecraft 26.3 Pre-release 1 is now available for testing in Java Edition via the game launcher. Mojang also confirmed that the latest Java snapshot includes Realms invite codes and increases the maximum render distance from 12 chunks to 25 chunks; adjusting this option should take device performance limitations into account.