Minecraft, being the more popular game around today, has seen major changes from a few years ago due to Mojang releasing different updates that add to the replay value. The Overworld and Nether, however, are getting more love in the form of new biomes, structures, and gameplay mechanics throughout the years. The end is a mysterious, challenging final realm of Minecraft; however, many players have been crying for an update similar in scale to the village and pillage.
Its appeal, however, is likely for naught outside of the slim chance of a massive The End update. That, combined with the opaqueness of how to get there and just how few players have reached it, all points to an end update never happening. In this article, we look at why a big update to The End probably won’t happen, touching on the state of the realm now, how challenging it is for players to get there, and why Mojang might choose to improve other parts of the game.
The Enigma of The End
The End is the final realm for Minecraft—the place most players venture after a long journey. It contains the fabled Ender Dragon, those cryptic End Cities, and important resources such as Elytra and Ender Pearls. Minecraft was released all the way back in 2011, and a playable version of The End was added in November of that year. An area completely dissimilar to the Overworld or Nether, The End remains one of the standout biomes/realms found in Minecraft, mostly due to its stark contrast with other locales within the game.
Whereas the Overworld is full of activity, containing everything from basic interactions with dynamic landscapes to animals to seemingly unending things to do, The End feels barren by comparison. That it is minimalist in this way has its own charm, further contributing to the mystique and end-of-times vibe of the realm. Despite it being a favourite with fans, its individual obstacles and it not exactly being an easy place to get to mean there are some limitations on any massive changes.
The Journey to The End
The End is no small accomplishment. Entering The EndUnlike getting into the Nether, where all you really need is some diamond gear and a bit of obsidian, completing The End requires so much more. Players collect Eyes of Ender made from Ender Pearls and Blaze Powder, then search in Overworld to locate a hidden Stronghold, which contains the End portal.
The Minecraft end portal sends players out to fight the Ender Dragon, the game’s final boss and enemy number one before they enter the true endgame. The process acts as a gatekeeper so that only experienced players, and the aforementioned Redstone experts can get to The End, Which means any work put into updating The End would effectively only be meaningful to a small percentage of players, which is why Mojang will understandably want that less legit end game.
Why Updating The End Is Unlikely
There are several reasons why Mojang might hesitate to release a major update to The End. Let’s break down the factors contributing to this decision:
- Limited Player Base: Most Minecraft players never reach The End, whether because of the complexity of the journey or personal preference. Updating a realm that only a select group of players would experience doesn’t align with Mojang’s history of creating content accessible to all.
- Risk of Overcomplication: The End already serves as Minecraft’s finale, meaning that adding more content could disrupt the balance of the game’s structure. Any additional updates would likely increase the complexity of an already difficult area, making it even more exclusive to highly skilled players.
- Focus on Overworld and Nether: Mojang has focused much of its attention on improving Overworld and Nether, introducing new biomes, structures, and gameplay elements that enhance the experience for all players. These updates have had a much broader impact on the overall Minecraft experience, making them more worthwhile investments for the developers.
- Mojang’s Update Strategy: Most Minecraft updates aim to enrich the experience for both experienced and novice players. For instance, updates like the Caves and Cliffs expansion introduced new biomes and mechanics that catered to all player levels. An update to The End, on the other hand, would be less inclusive, further limiting its appeal.
Challenges Within The End
Even for players who manage to reach The End, the challenges are far from over. Once there, players must navigate a realm filled with vast voids, floating islands, and dangerous mobs like the Enderman. The desolate and eerie environment of The End reinforces its role as the final frontier of Minecraft.
Players are also rewarded with rare and valuable items, such as Elytra, which allows for flight, and the Ender Pearls, used for teleportation. These rewards are significant but often viewed as sufficient in their current form. Any major additions might overshadow the rarity and prestige that these items hold.
Possible Ways to Update The End
Despite the low likelihood of a major update, there are several potential avenues Mojang could explore if they ever decided to tackle The End. Here are a few possibilities:
- Simplifying the Process of Reaching The End: One of the most significant barriers for new players is the difficulty of reaching The End in the first place. Mojang could make this process more accessible by providing alternative methods for obtaining Eyes of Ender or by making the Stronghold easier to locate.
- Expanding The End’s Biomes: The End is often viewed as barren and minimalistic, which aligns with its role as the final realm. However, Mojang could introduce new biomes within The End, such as floating islands with unique ecosystems or additional structures like abandoned cities, making exploration more rewarding.
- New Mobs and Bosses: The Ender Dragon remains the only true boss fight in The End, and while the Enderman is an iconic mob, the realm could benefit from more diverse enemies. Mojang could introduce new mobs or even additional bosses that challenge players further, adding variety to the gameplay experience.
- Increased Loot and Rewards: Another possibility is the introduction of new loot and rewards exclusive to The End. These items could serve as further incentives for players to reach and explore the realm, especially if they offer unique abilities or enhancements.
While many players would love to see a major update to The End, it seems unlikely that Mojang will prioritize this realm in the near future. The End’s complexity, the difficulty of reaching it, and its relatively small player base all contribute to this decision. Mojang has always focused on creating content that enhances the experience for all players, and with recent updates targeting the Overworld and Nether, it’s clear that these areas are more accessible and impactful for the broader player base.
If The End were to receive an update, simplifying the process of reaching it and expanding the realm’s biomes or loot could make it more appealing to players. But for now, it appears that The End will remain as it is—an enigmatic and challenging final frontier for Minecraft’s most dedicated adventurers.
Resources: gamerant