During the Minecraft Live event in September, Mojang announced that Minecraft will add a fourth dimension, "The Sieve," in 2027, with content coming to both Java and Bedrock editions. Since the official launch of version 1.0 in 2011, the explorable dimensions have been the Overworld, the Nether, and the End. Mojang also confirmed that the next game update will introduce a new ice cave biome.
Before appearing in the core Minecraft game, The Sieve will first be featured in the action RPG spin-off Minecraft Dungeons 2. Scheduled for release on September 29, the game will allow players to travel to The Sieve through rifts appearing across various maps.
Måns Olson, Creative Director of Minecraft Dungeons 2, explained that while the previous game, Minecraft Dungeons, primarily used existing Minecraft environments, the sequel's team wanted to create new locations, leading to discussions about developing a new dimension. The team also aimed to leverage the sequel's scale to give this dimension sufficient space and vitality.
Olson stated that the team wanted The Sieve to be distinctly different from existing dimensions, so they adopted a more serene atmosphere and a different color palette. It is not entirely safe: in the story of Minecraft Dungeons 2, Illagers are threatening The Sieve, so players will still encounter dangers.
Design Director Laura de Llorens stated that the core Minecraft team has been involved in the development of The Sieve to ensure the new dimension aligns with the game's lore. Mojang's Chief Creative Officer Jens Bergensten also mentioned during the livestream that the new dimension will expand the world of Minecraft, which is why multiple teams collaborated on this project.
Another announcement was the next game update, "Frozen Caves," which will enter testing soon. The new ice caves are relatively rare underground areas that can appear deep beneath cold biomes. Inside, you'll find glowing ice crystals and exposed ore veins, as well as icicles that may fall when exposed to excessive light or heat.
Frozen Zombies will also appear in ice caves. They sometimes carry ice balls and throw them at players from a distance; after defeating them, players can pick up the ice balls to craft new freezing potions. Additionally, the Minecraft Marketplace will launch a sound pack in 2026.