4J Studios, the Scotland-based developer behind the console ports of Minecraft, took to Twitter today for some quick updates about when we might start seeing the game's next-gen console ports for the PS4, Xbox One and Vita.
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As it stands now, it looks like the PlayStation 4 version of Minecraft will be the first out of the gate. 4J Studios announced that they had handed over the game to Sony for certification two weeks ago, but it was handed back to the developer a week later after Sony found issues with it. Today, though, Minecraft's PS4 version was sent back to Sony for final consideration. If the game passes Sony's testing, there's a chance the port could see a release sometime in September, depending on how quickly Sony's process goes. The Vita version, on the other hand, is still a ways off from final testing, according to the developer.
As for the Xbox One version, 4J Studios tweeted that debugging is almost complete and that the team hopes to get it to Microsoft's certification process by the end of the week. If the developer meets its goal, assuming Microsoft doesn't send the game back like Sony did with the PS4 version, the Xbox One Minecraft game might not be far behind the PS4 version. Either way, both next-gen Minecraft console ports look like they should see fall releases without much problem. It's a bit off from the launch window promises of last year, but at least they're on their way.
#MinecraftPS4 is back with Sony for final testing. Fingers crossed...
— 4J Studios (@4JStudios) August 26, 2014
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Beyond updates about release windows, 4J Studios also gave information about updates that are being tested for the PS3 and XBLA Minecraft versions. When these roll out, Xbox 360 players will be able to transfer their Minecraft saves to the Xbox One game, and PS3 users will be able to do the same to the PS4 and Vita versions.
A small #MinecraftXBLA update is in test. This adds the ability to transfer Xbox 360 saves to #MinecraftXBox1 ahead of its release. — 4J Studios (@4JStudios) August 26, 2014
With consoles netting Minecraft ports left and right, there's about to become very little excuse left for gamers with any console not to have played Minecraft.