Minecraft's Fourth Dimension, The Sift, Arrives in 2027

The Sift becomes Minecraft's fourth dimension in 2027

Mojang announced The Sift during Minecraft Live on September 26, with the news reported on September 27, 2026. The new dimension is planned for Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition in 2027, joining the Overworld, the Nether and The End. You can follow Mojang's official Minecraft Live recap for the announcement details.

The End arrived with Minecraft's 1.0 release in 2011, making The Sift the first new dimension added to the game since then. Eurogamer describes the gap as more than 14 years, while Engadget calls it more than 15 years, so the outlets differ in how they count the interval. Both reports identify The Sift as Minecraft's fourth dimension.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 offers the first playable look on September 29

The Sift will appear first in Minecraft Dungeons 2, which launches on September 29, 2026. Mojang has not yet explained how players will reach the dimension in the main Minecraft game, but the spinoff will provide the earliest opportunity to enter it. The official Xbox announcement confirms the Dungeons 2 debut and the later Java and Bedrock release.

Mojang has confirmed new biomes, mobs, exploration mechanics and gameplay rules for The Sift, but it has not provided a firm release date in 2027. Reported named areas include the Meadows and the Carapace. The dimension will also contain friendly companions and hostile mobs, giving players reasons to approach its inhabitants as allies or threats.

The Sift introduces areas, mobs and rules beyond new terrain

Footage discussed after Minecraft Live shows The Sift with blue, purple and pink lighting, while the confirmed areas point to environments distinct from the Overworld, Nether and The End. Reports also mention unique blocks and environmental changes called “Shifting tides,” although Mojang has not fully explained how those changes work.

Minecraft has sold 425 million copies, and more than 300,000 people reportedly play it for the first time on an average day. That scale gives The Sift a large audience, but the missing 2027 date means Java and Bedrock players cannot yet plan a specific launch-night session.

Dungeons 2 makes the wait playable before the base game update

The September 29, 2026 Dungeons 2 release separates the first hands-on access from the full Minecraft arrival planned for 2027. For players choosing a game tonight, Dungeons 2 is the only announced route to The Sift before Mojang adds it to Java and Bedrock, while the base game remains the option for the eventual survival-focused dimension experience.