Armadillo wins mob vote as player rebellion reaches 500,000 signatories

Mojang has recently revealed Minecraft update 1.21, which is set to focus more on combat adventures and tinkering. The headline addition to the update is the Trial Chamber, an underground structure that features a cluster of traps and treasure rooms. Made from copper and tuff blocks, the Trial Chamber is procedurally generated and arranged around a central hallway. This new structure is reminiscent of the game’s old buried fortresses but includes new elements such as copper bulb blocks that emit diminishing light over time and Trial Spawners, which generate hostile mobs based on the number of players in the party.

While the Trial Chamber is not explicitly described as a maze generator, it does have a maze-like quality with scattered traps, multiple elevations connected by spiral stairs, and see-through floor grills. The tuff-and-copper aesthetic adds to the immersive experience but can also be purposefully confusing for players. Additionally, the new copper bulbs provide navigation assistance by eliminating the need for torches, but they gradually dim as they oxidize. Players will need to periodically scrape off the oxidized layer to restore them to full brightness.

In addition to the new Trial Chamber, Minecraft update 1.21 introduces a new mob called the Breeze. Similar to the Ghast, the Breeze hovers around and shoots wind bullets instead of exploding fireballs. These wind projectiles not only cause area damage but also have the ability to knock back characters and activate redstone contraptions. This new mob will pose a challenge for players in rooms filled with traps.

For players who are more interested in building rather than exploring dungeons, the update introduces crafter blocks. These blocks can be set to automatically craft specific recipes, allowing for more advanced Minecraft industrialization. The user interface for the crafter blocks is straightforward, requiring players to select the recipe and drop the ingredients into the crafter inventory. Alternatively, players can set up redstone circuits and dispensers to automate the transportation of raw materials to the crafter.

Following the announcement of Minecraft update 1.21, there were concerns from players who felt that Mojang wasn’t adding enough content to the game. A petition was created, garnering half a million signatories in protest. Despite the backlash, the annual Minecraft Mob Vote proceeded as planned, with players choosing the Armadillo as the winning mob over the Penguin and Crab. Mojang did not address the player rebellion during the Minecraft Live 2023 stream, but the chief content officer, Vu Bui, hinted that the losing mobs might still make an appearance in future updates, as happened with the Frog in the Biome Vote of 2018.

While Minecraft players have been known to hand-craft mazes and use maze generators created by mod-makers, the forthcoming update with the Trial Chamber offers an official in-game maze experience. The Maze subreddit showcases various hand-crafted mazes in Minecraft, and mod-makers have developed their own maze generators. MightyOne’s Tangled Maze generator, for example, allows players to generate mazes across hilly terrain and choose between roofed or open-air mazes.

Overall, Minecraft update 1.21 brings exciting new features to the game, including the Trial Chamber, the Breeze mob, and crafter blocks. While the player rebellion surrounding the Mob Vote continues, Mojang has hinted that future updates may include the losing mobs. Minecraft players will undoubtedly embrace the new content and continue to explore the endless possibilities of the game.