V3 is now available for public access in Java, and soon you will also find it in Bedrock.
Update: We have once again refreshed the textures for Java and invite you to test and provide feedback on them. Download the texture pack 3.3 right now and share your thoughts (in a little while, we will also add them for Bedrock and definitely keep you updated).
Amazing, vibrant textures! This is what sets Minecraft Pocket Edition apart from ordinary, dull games where all you encounter are bland, lifeless rectangles that fail to impress these days. Fortunately, Minecraft is filled with unique, beautiful textures that are constantly being improved and updated. We owe our gratitude to Mojang’s pixel artist, Jasper Boerstra!
The image showcases a Minecraft version created by Jasper. Don’t be alarmed by this skeleton; he’s actually quite friendly.
He has been actively involved in Minecraft Bedrock for quite some time. You might recall that just recently, back in January, we released the second version of the textures as a downloadable pack. Now, about ten months later, we present to you version 3!
Minecraft: Players of Java Edition can download and try out version 3 right now! In the near future, we will also roll out updates across all platforms, allowing you to download them completely free of charge. As soon as we do, we’ll let you know—no worries.
This texture pack for Java edition will resemble the images you often see here, so we want to warn you upfront that there may be some challenges. To avoid any unnecessary issues, let us guide you through the installation process for the new version in Minecraft Java.
1. First, click on this lovely long blue text link. Great, you now have a .zip file ready to download the updated texture pack.
2. Next, copy this file.
3. Open Minecraft Java Edition.
4. In the main menu that appears, look for “Options,” then “Resource Packs.”
5. Click on “Open Resource Pack Folder.”
6. Now that the folder is open, simply paste the ZIP file you copied earlier into this folder.
7. That’s it! You’ve completed all the steps and can now close the folder and return to the game.
8. Under Resource Packs, you should find a list of available packs. Look for the newly added pack—it should be somewhere in there. Congratulations, you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to experience the new textures already!
If something went wrong and you couldn’t download the file, you can find more detailed instructions for loading on various devices here.
To commemorate this significant event, I decided to create something memorable that would leave a small mark in the history of our game. I reached out to Jasper Boerstra for an exclusive interview for our site. Naturally, he couldn’t resist such an enticing offer. So, this kind and generous guy said, “Yes!”
Note: To make this interview easier to read, we removed 235 out of 237 instances of the words “bro” and “dude.” Hope no one minds.
Tom Stone: Hey, dude!
Jasper Boerstra: Hi, man!
Tom: Well, from the bottom of my heart, congratulations on the release of version 3! What stood out to you most from the previous version? What feedback have you received?
Jasper: The main thing everyone mentioned was that everything looked too blurry. This was due to the use of pixel art techniques, commonly referred to as “anti-aliasing.” It’s usually applied when blending items together, which is very convenient and useful. However, since I used it in a somewhat unconventional way, I had to be extremely careful; otherwise, everything would just blur together. In Minecraft Pocket Edition, the low resolution means that if you overdo it even slightly, everything becomes fuzzy immediately.
So, I decided that in version 3, it would be better to reduce the anti-aliasing to enhance clarity, which incidentally made them look more like real, original objects. But there’s a slight downside—they appear flatter now.
Tom: How does the texture redesign process go? Describe your workflow.
Jasper: Ugh, it’s very lengthy and tedious! I try to carefully analyze all the feedback and then start working based on that. This is why we release beta versions. Now you understand how important player opinions are to us.
I receive a massive amount of feedback. Often, opinions diverge or split into two opposing groups. For instance, some say it looks too unrealistic, while others shout that it lacks realism. So what am I supposed to do? I have to make sacrifices; it’s impossible to please everyone at once, so I end up removing details that some believe deserve to stay. That’s how it goes.
Tom: So you base your decisions on player feedback—the majority wins? Or do you stick to your own views and beliefs?
Jasper: On Reddit, Twitter, and other social media, I always get plenty of feedback from truly active players. I listen to each one, though sometimes I disagree with certain points. Ultimately, I compare my perspective with that of the Minecraft community, and if there’s something worthwhile, I definitely consider it and think about how best to implement that idea.
Tom: How can players reach out to you with their feedback?
Jasper: You can follow me on Twitter. I also check Reddit threads every day. Plus, during weekends, whether I’m in the bathroom, cooking, or sleeping…
Tom: All in the same place?
Jasper: No.
Tom: Do you like me?
Jasper: Oh, I absolutely adore you. Want to marry me?
Tom: Let’s talk about that after the interview. In Minecraft Pocket Edition, many people engage in texturing, typically aiming to develop their own textures. What advice would you give them?
Jasper: You can create any texture in any style. Just remember that everything needs to be consistent. Everything should follow a unified style using similar methods and techniques. Simply put, when creating your own structure, don’t forget your rules. It’s great if you have a vision of what the finished product will roughly look like before starting. Try to form a general concept. And also, use fewer cubes!
Tom: Why? Do you have something against cubes?
Jasper: Well, I’d say it’s personal. But in my opinion, voxels cannot be compared to regular blocks in Minecraft. Sometimes I come across voxel mobs. They look like this: a lot of cubes in one mob, and yet, there’s still a standard block sized 16×16. These are two different styles that don’t mesh well, so they shouldn’t be mixed.
Tom: What about the old textures? What will happen to them?
Jasper: Gradually, the new textures will replace all the old ones and become the default textures for Minecraft Bedrock. But for now, they aren’t fully polished; I’m currently gathering feedback and trying to refine everything. The original textures will also remain available later, for free. They might be included within the game or perhaps elsewhere—we haven’t decided yet.
Tom: Why is the modified cobblestone your favorite texture? I personally don’t see it.
Jasper: Oh, it’s my absolute favorite texture throughout my career because I love the original cobblestone. I’ve used it extensively in creating anything. If I were to become a builder in Minecraft Pocket Edition, the materials I’d use for my constructions would be cobblestone and logs. Cobblestone holds significant value in my eyes.
In reality, reworking cobblestone isn’t easy because everyone loves and is accustomed to the original, including myself (laughs)! Why? I don’t know, I just feel that way. I enjoyed the process of reworking it, so I got a bit carried away and ended up making over 100 versions.
Tom: Currently, you are an artist, but only in pixels. Have you ever thought about becoming a traditional artist?
Jasper: Okay. Have you never considered becoming a real writer?
Tom: Fair enough. Tell me a bit about the Illager beast! This big new mob can be found in several recent Snapshots.
Jasper: That was Jens’ idea. He wanted to add this creature somewhere. Interestingly, it all started with the model you see today. He brought it to me when we were working on the Aquatic update. He just came up to me and said, “Hey. I have this little creature; your job is to fit it in somewhere.” And you know what I replied? “Yeah, damn it, I agree, that’s amazing!” It really was a fantastic concept!
I came up with ten different variations—not textures, but actual concepts. This was necessary to visualize how this creature should look. Honestly, the best one was the one you see in the picture. I think the beast felt good in this form; you know, it fits well in Minecraft. I also experimented and designed several gorilla-like models, but they didn’t turn out well, so we stuck with the original option. After selecting the creature, I began creating its texture.
I based the textures on Evokers. I wanted the Illager to have similar fangs. The color of the fangs matches that of the Evoker’s skin. It creates the impression that there’s a connection between these two characters.
Tom: Not long ago, you posted on Twitter about “Illager beasts and where they reside.” Right now, you can apologize to everyone for that.
Jasper: What? No! That tweet is wonderful! I hold onto hope that someone will create a movie poster featuring the Illager’s head instead of a human head. That was my cunning plan! I want someone to do that!
