Over the last 15 years, Mojang has been diligently expanding the diverse landscapes and realms of Minecraft. They’ve introduced a variety of new biomes, from the lush Jungle to the sun-soaked Savanna, along with two mystical realms: the Nether and The End. Thanks to these updates, the game has stayed vibrant and engaging nearly two decades since its 2009 launch. However, not all realms have seen equal development. While the Overworld and Nether have enjoyed a flurry of updates in the 2020s, The End hasn’t received as much attention. With the recent highlight of the Nether in a highly anticipated Minecraft movie featuring the rideable Happy Ghast, it seems like the perfect time for Mojang to focus on enhancing The End or even crafting an entirely new dimension to explore.
The Nether, inspired by classic depictions of Hell and the underworld, made its Minecraft debut back in 2010. Players access this fiery domain via an obsidian-built Nether Portal, drawing inspiration from the portals in The Wheel of Time book series. Initially, the Nether was a rather sparse and eerie place with just Zombie Pigmen and Ghasts, alongside elements like netherrack, bedrock, and lava. Despite its bare beginnings, players took to the Nether with enthusiasm, prompting Mojang to regularly update and enrich it throughout the 2010s.
In late 2011, the Nether received one of its major overhauls with the introduction of Nether fortresses made from Nether bricks. These mazelike structures were teeming with new features: gardens of Nether wart, Blaze spawner mobs shooting fire, and Slime-like Magma Cubes roaming freely. Players could also use Blaze Rods for brewing potions and locating The End via Eyes of Ender. The following year saw the addition of Wither Skeletons and the ability to summon the formidable Wither boss, made from Wither skulls and soul sand. Then in 2013, quartz ore was introduced, adding a new decorative element.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the Nether underwent a massive transformation with the release of the Nether Update in mid-2020. This update was the largest yet, introducing four entirely new biomes: Crimson Forest, Warped Forest, Soul Sand Valley, and Basalt Deltas, along with an assortment of new creatures such as Piglins, Hoglins, Zoglins, and Striders. Players can now stumble upon treasure-filled bastion remnants and mine for rare ancient debris to forge the game’s strongest gear.
With such significant attention paid to the Nether, it seems logical for Mojang now to turn their creative focus to The End or conjure up a brand-new dimension to inspire players. Currently, The End is sparse, with limited blocks, mobs, and interactions. After conquering the Ender Dragon, the main draw is exploring islands for End Cities and Ships filled with Shulker mobs and elusive loot like elytra wings. While you can harvest Chorus plants and fruits, that’s about it for activities in The End.
A substantial update for The End could mirror the transformative Nether Update, adding new biomes, mobs, structures, and activities to enrich this expansive shadowy realm. Imagine a lush Chorus Forest biome with towering plants, dark purple moss, and perhaps an elusive Ender Monkey that can teleport but poses a challenge akin to Endermen. Or maybe a floating mountain biome filled with flowing magical liquids and a new ore that can be crafted into a rare weaponry.
Alternatively, there could be an introduction of a whole new dimension. With elements like the Deep Dark and the terrifying Warden now part of Minecraft, fans speculate that these might hint at an impending Deep Dark dimension. Rumors of an enormous, portal-like structure in ancient city centers offer tantalizing possibilities. If Mojang were to expand on these ideas, crafting a dimension rich with sculk-like blocks and uncharted adventures, it could create a new front-loading challenge much like introducing the Nether and The End did back in the day.
Presently, the Nether hosts 12 distinct mobs, whereas The End only has three, highlighting the potential ripe for development. As Minecraft continues to evolve, there’s endless potential for Mojang to expand their pixelated universe even further, keeping players engaged and curious to see what they’ll explore next.
