Mojang has named Minecraft’s next dimension The Sift. Players will encounter it first in Minecraft Dungeons II, which launches September 29, 2026, before a version of the dimension reaches Minecraft: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition in 2027.
A connected world leads into The Sift
Minecraft Dungeons II replaces the first game’s sequence of separate missions with an interconnected world. Rifts in that world can carry players into The Sift, a bright but hazardous setting filled with souls, unfamiliar blocks and new creatures. Mojang’s Minecraft LIVE recap identifies the Meadow and the Carapace as two of its areas while leaving other locations undisclosed.
The sequel also adds jumping, a small mechanical change that matters in a world built around gaps and rifts. Mojang says creatures found in The Sift can appear as companions or threats. Shifting tides affect the player and nearby characters, while environmental hazards change how routes through the dimension must be approached.
The main game will get its fourth dimension
The 2027 update will bring The Sift to Minecraft’s Java and Bedrock editions. Mojang describes it as the fourth dimension, joining the Overworld, Nether and End, and the first addition of that kind in more than 14 years. The studio has shown an early glimpse of the Minecraft version but has not announced a specific release date or explained how players will enter it.
That leaves an important distinction between the two releases. Dungeons II will provide the first playable version this September, but its action-focused design does not establish exactly how The Sift will work in the sandbox game. Features shown for the sequel should not be assumed to transfer unchanged to Java or Bedrock.
Where and when to play
Minecraft Dungeons II is scheduled for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It will also support Xbox Play Anywhere and be included with Game Pass. Mojang says future Minecraft LIVE broadcasts will provide more information about the dimension’s 2027 arrival in the main game.
Sources
- Reporting source: Minecraft’s First New Dimension in Over 14 Years Is Called The Sift
- Primary evidence: Mojang’s Minecraft LIVE September 2026 recap
