Mojang used Minecraft Live (September 2026) to formally introduce The Sift, confirming the new area as the fourth playable dimension joining the Overworld, the Nether and the End.
The studio described The Sift as the game’s first new dimension in more than 14 years and said it will arrive in the main Minecraft experience for both Bedrock and Java editions in 2027.
The Sift was previously revealed in connection with Minecraft Dungeons II, and Mojang reiterated that players will be able to explore the dimension first when Minecraft Dungeons II launches on Nintendo Switch (both Switch and Switch 2) on 29 September 2026.
That release will give Switch owners a first look at content that is later being integrated into the core Minecraft versions.
During the same Minecraft Live broadcast, Mojang also detailed an upcoming game drop for Minecraft that adds a new cave biome called Ice Caves.
The Ice Caves biome includes hanging icicles, light-emitting ice crystals, calcite formations and a frozen zombie variant, all of which were shown in the event footage.
Mojang confirmed platform-specific timing alongside the reveal: Minecraft itself is scheduled to arrive on the Switch 2 console on 27 October 2026, and the studio has announced a free upgrade path for players moving from the original Switch to Switch 2.
The company did not attach a specific date for The Sift’s arrival in Java and Bedrock beyond the studio’s timeline indicating a 2027 release window.
For developers and platform holders, the announcement underscores Mojang’s dual-focus strategy: using a high-profile spin-off (Minecraft Dungeons II) to introduce new lore and content, then rolling that content into the flagship sandbox across Bedrock and Java.
The move also highlights continued collaboration between Mojang and Nintendo platforms, with Switch 2 serving as a launch platform for the core game on the new hardware.
Verified details from Minecraft Live 2026: The Sift named as the fourth dimension, Ice Caves biome features, Minecraft Dungeons II Switch release on 29 September 2026, Minecraft on Switch 2 on 27 October 2026, and a confirmed free upgrade path for Switch owners upgrading to Switch 2.
The studio described The Sift as the game’s first new dimension in more than 14 years and said it will arrive in the main Minecraft experience for both Bedrock and Java editions in 2027.
The Sift was previously revealed in connection with Minecraft Dungeons II, and Mojang reiterated that players will be able to explore the dimension first when Minecraft Dungeons II launches on Nintendo Switch (both Switch and Switch 2) on 29 September 2026.
That release will give Switch owners a first look at content that is later being integrated into the core Minecraft versions.
During the same Minecraft Live broadcast, Mojang also detailed an upcoming game drop for Minecraft that adds a new cave biome called Ice Caves.
The Ice Caves biome includes hanging icicles, light-emitting ice crystals, calcite formations and a frozen zombie variant, all of which were shown in the event footage.
Mojang confirmed platform-specific timing alongside the reveal: Minecraft itself is scheduled to arrive on the Switch 2 console on 27 October 2026, and the studio has announced a free upgrade path for players moving from the original Switch to Switch 2.
The company did not attach a specific date for The Sift’s arrival in Java and Bedrock beyond the studio’s timeline indicating a 2027 release window.
For developers and platform holders, the announcement underscores Mojang’s dual-focus strategy: using a high-profile spin-off (Minecraft Dungeons II) to introduce new lore and content, then rolling that content into the flagship sandbox across Bedrock and Java.
The move also highlights continued collaboration between Mojang and Nintendo platforms, with Switch 2 serving as a launch platform for the core game on the new hardware.
Verified details from Minecraft Live 2026: The Sift named as the fourth dimension, Ice Caves biome features, Minecraft Dungeons II Switch release on 29 September 2026, Minecraft on Switch 2 on 27 October 2026, and a confirmed free upgrade path for Switch owners upgrading to Switch 2.
