pc Question about Minecraft

[jnelsoninjax]

My niece wants Minecraft, and I see it is selling for $26.95 from Minecraft.net directly, but then I noticed that it says it's Java edition, I thought java went the way of the dodo bird! Do you have to install Java in order to play the game? My recollection of Java was it full of security flaws and the works, is that still the case?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

Java on it's own is still fine and fully supported; it's the Java Browser Plugin that was retired a few years back. The Browser plugin is where the majority of the security holes was.

 

The Java version of Minecraft is the one that has a plethora of Mods available if you don't want to just do Vanilla.

The Neowin Minecraft server in my signature runs on the standard Java version for instance.

 

There's also a "Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition" from the Microsoft store; it's basically the console version ported over to PC if that's preferred.

 

edit: here's a couple reviews on the differences in the 2 versions

 

https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-java-edition-vs-windows-10/

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-Minecraft-PC-Edition-and-Minecraft-Windows-10-Edition-Beta (note: no longer in Beta, is just an older article)

[jnelsoninjax]

7 minutes ago, Brandon H said:

Java on it's own is still fine and fully supported; it's the Java Browser Plugin that was retired a few years back. The Browser plugin is where the majority of the security holes was.

 

The Java version of Minecraft is the one that has a plethora of Mods available if you don't want to just do Vanilla.

The Neowin Minecraft server in my signature runs on the standard Java version for instance.

 

There's also a "Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition" from the Microsoft store; it's basically the console version ported over to PC if that's preferred.

 

edit: here's a couple reviews on the differences in the 2 versions

 

https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-java-edition-vs-windows-10/

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-Minecraft-PC-Edition-and-Minecraft-Windows-10-Edition-Beta (note: no longer in Beta, is just an older article)

OK, so it appears that both versions are effectively the same, and it just comes down to weather or not you want java, is that a correct assessment?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

1 minute ago, jnelsoninjax said:

OK, so it appears that both versions are effectively the same, and it just comes down to weather or not you want java, is that a correct assessment?

they're very similar but there are some items/mobs that the 10/Pocket edition has that the Java version doesn't and vise versa.

It's all very minimal but they are on separate development cycles/teams so there are minor differences just so you're aware

 

And obviously the Java edition rules as far as customization goes due to the modding community but not everyone cares about that part.

 

What OS are you on? Needless to say the Windows 10 Edition is only available through the Windows 10 Microsoft Store so if you're on an older version of Windows or MacOS/Linux then the Java version will be your only option.

[jnelsoninjax]

10 X64, so no issue there. Thanks for the help!