Minecraft Update Release Date: Halloween Mashup Pack and Version 1.9 or Combat Update

By Mark Rollins
Minecraft
What will the Overworld Update and Version 1.9 or Combat Update bring?

For those that want to live in the blocky world that Mojang has created known as Minecraft should be pleased with some new updates.  First of all, there is the long-awaited Version 1.9, which has a very imminent release date, not to mention the Halloween Mashup Pack.  The spinoff Minecraft Story Mode is available right now. 

The last update to Minecraft was known as 1.8.8, and this occurred about two months ago.  Fans are eagerly looking forward to update 1.9, which is also known as the Combat Update.  According to Minecraft's own Gamepedia, This Combat update is expected to "overhaul the combat system, among other additions and changes".  It was expected that this update would arrive in mid-October, but this doesn't seem to happen. 

iDgitialTimes reports that the features of Minecraft Update 1.9 were discussed during a MineCon Panel.  One of the features discussed at this presentation was plans to overhaul the game-ending Ender Dragon encounter.  Most players have found that this foe isn't too difficult for this game's equivalent of a final boss, and the game doesn't really give much incentive to even try to slay this dragon.  Mojang wants to motivate players by tying in new things with the dragon, and explore the new islands coming in the end.

Version 1.9 also plans to introduce a new dimension that includes a new zone complete with new blocks, new food source, new mobs and other changes that could take a while to implement, hence the increased wait.  Other new updates to Version 1.9 include new items like enchanted arrows and spell effects.  These arrows include spectral arrows, invisibility arrows, and poison arrows.   There is also talk of dual-wielding, as the player can toggle the primary hand of the character. 

There is still no word on the release date of the long-awaited Version 1.9, but if Mojang is smart, they will have it out before the holiday season.  One shouldn't be surprised if it becomes available by Thanksgiving for fans to play on the four-day weekend. 

Fortunately, there is no shortage of anything new from Mojang, as Minecraft users are being treated with a Halloween mash-up pack that has arrived just in time for the season.  The Mojang website describes the $3.99 pack available on all console versions as having "a whopping 43 skins, a creepy texture pack to apply to other Minecraft worlds, ghostly music, as well as an entire world that's guaranteed to scare you senseless".  The skins include what one would expect from Halloween like the Grim Reaper, Bride of Frankenstein, Wicked Witch, Tree Face, Mad Doctor, Swamp Monster, as well as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  This mashup will be available on Friday, October 23rd. 

In addition to the Halloween pack, Minecraft users can also download the Minecraft Story Mode, an RPG style of the popular sandbox strategy game, available on all platforms. 

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