Minecraft Beta & Preview 1.21.70.20: New Wildlife and Environmental Features
The latest Beta and Preview introduces exciting new biome enhancements, including new cow variants and ambient features. Let’s explore everything new in this substantial update!
Major New Experimental Features
New Cow Variants
- Introduced two distinct cow types:
- Cold Cow: A fluffy variant for chilly biomes
- Warm Cow: An auburn-colored cow for desert regions
- Spawn in the same biome distribution as their pig counterparts
- Feature unique textures and models
- Share spawn egg with regular cows
Environmental Enhancements
Leaf Litter System
- New decorative block found in:
- Forests
- Dark Forests
- Wooded Badlands
- Unique features:
- Can stack up to 4 pieces in one block space
- Places in 4 different orientations
- Created by smelting any leaf block
- Can be used as furnace fuel
- Features distinctive sound effects
Wildflowers
- New flower variety found in:
- Birch Forests
- Old Growth Birch Forests
- Meadows
- Special characteristics:
- Stack up to 4 flowers per block
- Multiple placement orientations
- Bone meal responsive
- Craftable into Yellow Dye
Firefly Bush
- New illuminating decorative block
- Features:
- Spawns animated firefly particles
- Provides ambient lighting
- Found naturally near water
- Double spawn rate in Swamp biomes
- Bone meal drops full bush block
Bush
- New decorative vegetation found in:
- Plains
- Various Forest types
- Windswept biomes
- Rivers
- Can be:
- Used in composters
- Expanded with bone meal
Ambient Sound Updates
- New desert and badlands ambient sounds:
- Triggers from sand and terracotta blocks
- Special dead bush sounds in desert environments
- Wind effects in sandy biomes
Technical Improvements
API and Scripting Updates
- Enhanced promise handling
- New input button states
- Improved camera controls
- Added system properties for editor worlds
Graphics and Performance
- New lighting control options
- Improved water surface rendering
- Enhanced screen space reflections
Block System Updates
- Revised map color component
- New replaceable block component
- Improved water and lava behavior
- Enhanced block placement mechanics
Bug Fixes
Gameplay Improvements
- Fixed block placement in liquids
- Improved structure block rendering
- Enhanced sea pickle placement options
- Fixed beacon rendering distance issues
Mob Behavior
- Fixed fox lava damage
- Updated donkey spawning patterns
- Improved entity handling in storms
UI Enhancements
- Fixed bundle tooltip in split-screen
- Improved creative inventory interactions
- Updated rideable entity inventory display
Note: Preview availability may be delayed on iOS this week. These features are in testing and may change before final release. Remember to back up your worlds before testing!
