Expanding Horizons: The Future of Minecraft on PS4 and the Prospects of Multiplayer Servers
15 December, 2022
Minecraft, the beloved sandbox game, has seen incredible success across various platforms, captivating players with its boundless creativity and exploration. For players on the PlayStation 4 (PS4) platform, the journey has been remarkable, but the question of whether multiplayer servers will ever be available remains. In this article, we will delve into the possibilities and discuss the future of Minecraft on PS4, including the prospects of multiplayer servers.
The Evolution of Minecraft on PS4:
Since its release on the PS4 platform, Minecraft has evolved significantly, introducing new features, gameplay enhancements, and content updates. Initially, the PS4 edition lacked official support for multiplayer servers, limiting players to local co-op or online play with friends on their own worlds. This was in contrast to other platforms like PC, where players could join vast and diverse multiplayer servers for shared experiences with players from around the world.
The Emergence of Realms:
To address the demand for multiplayer experiences on the PS4, Mojang introduced Realms, a subscription-based service that allows players to create and manage their private multiplayer worlds. While Realms provided an option for PS4 players to enjoy multiplayer with friends, it fell short of the vast, open-ended experiences offered by public multiplayer servers.
The Long-Awaited Update:
In December 2019, Mojang made a significant announcement that brought joy to the PS4 Minecraft community. The Better Together update, also known as the Bedrock Edition, finally arrived on the PS4. With this update, the PS4 version of Minecraft joined the unified Bedrock platform, enabling cross-platform play across various devices like Xbox, Windows 10, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
The Prospects of Multiplayer Servers on PS4:
While the Better Together update was a significant step forward for the PS4 edition, it still did not unlock the full potential of public multiplayer servers. As of the knowledge cutoff in September 2021, PS4 players can access Realms and cross-play with friends, but public servers similar to those available on other platforms are not officially supported.
Future Possibilities and Community Initiatives:
Though the official stance on public servers for PS4 may be unclear, the vibrant Minecraft community has not been idle. Some players have set up community-driven initiatives to create server-like experiences for PS4 players through alternative means. These initiatives often involve private servers, creative workarounds, and custom setups to mimic the spirit of public multiplayer servers.
