Minecraft 'Caves and Cliffs Update' Part Two still releasing 2021, Deep Dark delayed

Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Update Image
Minecraft Caves and Cliffs Update Image (Image credit: Mojang Studios | Twitter)

What you need to know

  • Part Two of the Caves and Cliffs update for Minecraft is still slated to launch later this year, likely in a month or two.
  • The Deep Dark and archaeology features will not be part of this update.
  • The Bedrock and Java versions of Minecraft now have Seed Parity.
  • Mojang Studios expressed its appreciation for all the Minecraft players that helped make the Caves and Cliffs Update possible.

Minecraft continues to grow as one of the best PC games available. As part of Minecraft Live 2021, Mojang Studios revealed some major news regarding the Caves and Cliffs Update Part Two. The update is still on track to launch later this year, introducing a new 'blending' feature. This means that any players who load old worlds will see these worlds blended with the new features, with cave biomes appearing underneath existing loaded chunks.

Another big feature of this update is Seed Parity. For the first time ever, the Java and Bedrock versions of Minecraft will have matching seed layouts. While there are still some small differences, for the most part the games will line up, meaning seeds can be shared between the two versions of the game to share mostly-identical world layouts.

This update won't deliver everything previously promised, however, as both the Deep Dark and the archaeology features aren't making the cut this year. The Deep Dark is is slated to be part of a future update, while the archaeology features are being put on hold for now, with no new release date or release window.

During Minecraft Live 2021, Mojang expressed its appreciation for the Minecraft community, as Minecraft players offered tons of feedback and research while testing early builds all throughout the year.

Despite these omissions, 1.18 Caves and Cliffs Update Part Two is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and grand Minecraft releases yet, especially when paired with its little sibling, 1.17 Part One of the huge update. The Caves and Cliffs Update includes brand-new mobs and biomes, massive changes to world generation across underground caves and mountainous peaks, and so much more.

Samuel Tolbert
Freelance Writer

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.