New on Realms: Spacewalks and Rad Runs

Hello Minecrafters!

Prepare yourself to behold another gargantuan update, full of minigame fun! Every few weeks, we put together a fat pack of Minecraft creations, made by the community and handpicked by us - just for the lovely people who play on Minecraft Java Edition's Realms.

This week's maps are a varied bunch: fast paced competitive team games, brain-melting boardgames and clever challenges to be completed on your own. We’ve been sent a lot of maps since the last update, and are happy that we’ve been able to release so many diverse creations all at once.

Read on to get a glimpse of what awaits you on Java Edition Realms!

Color Control

by Sybillian

Color Control is a welcome addition to the ranks of other competitive team Minecraft minigames. Taking over the arena’s cubes earns you bonus materials while on each, and periodically, earns points for each cube under your team’s control. A coordinated team strategy, on the ground or on bridges above the play area, is key to defeating the other team.

Magic Hotel

by WebWorm

We aim to have something for everyone for everyone in Realms’ library of content, and this one should be especially exciting for those players who devote their time to building. While we’ve had maps in the past deal with large exterior builds, Magic Hotel is a series of interior designs. Behind one door is a cobblestone cave, another, a large stage for plays. If you’re looking for inspiration to complete your Minecraft home, book a stay at the Magic Hotel!

Minecraft: The Island

by Blockception & Del Rey

In celebration of the release of Minecraft: The Island, the new Minecraft book, we’ve got a fun companion treat for you! Players enter the world through a beautiful library world hub, complete with books, spires, and a challenging ascent to the top. Leave through the watery portal to find yourself transported to the eponymous island, re-created block by block. Several challenges await as you attempt to save the island’s only other resident and your current source of companionship: a cow.

The library in this map thought of us a gaming hub, where future official Minecraft novels can house dedicated, episodic minigames added over time.

Meteor Miners: A Generic Space Game

by likeabaus, 123maarten123 and YZEROgame

Part of the reason that I love space maps and games so much is that it’s so different from the default Minecraft setting. There’s something compelling about playing in the vast, dark void of vacuum, rather than keeping your feet grounded in more traditional settings. If you like competitive games such as skyblock, you’ll feel at home mining ore asteroids in Meteor Miners.

Biome Run

by Supersette

In Biome Run, each player has a meager four hearts to manage as they careen through a parkour puzzle track. Upon taking too much damage, you’ll respawn back at the start, giving your opponents a clear advantage! This game is not for the faint of heart, and will require some expert-level skills to master.

Diamond Defender 2

by Xisuma, Pollieboy, and vilder50

The first Diamond Defenders debuted on Minecraft Realms back in 2014. Then, Realms, our website, and Minecraft itself looked a lot different! Players familiar with the original game won’t need to learn new skills, as the same running, jumping, and whacking creepers on the head-style gameplay is still present. However, the minigame is now compatible with the current version of Minecraft, and it also includes a few other quality improvements, such as the addition of advancements to keep track of your progress through. We’re happy that this fan-favorite has returned to Realms!

Cantara

by JustThatHat and Infixes

We love board games here at Mojang (I’ve got Betrayal at House on the Hill next to me as I write this!), and the Minecraft content team loves testing and publishing new board games to Realms. Cantara is a two-player board game where the number of spaces that you can move is determined by the color of the space that you’re on. You have five major pieces, five minor pieces, and you win by capturing each of your opponent's major pieces. Easy!

Levitate

by 0SirAwesome

Levitate is an interesting game, as it takes something that’s normally considered a bad thing (being bombarded by shulker bullets) and requires you to use them to reach your goal. Reach the slime block at the top, and you’ve won! While on your way up, take aim at other players, as they’ll surely attempt to stop you. Three different arenas and a number of customizable options should keep the game fresh for quite some time.

Mirage Tower Defense

by McTsts, marhjo and EnderPig

Tower Defense games in Minecraft have always fascinated me, as they’re a totally different genre of game, re-created within the blocky universe. The tools to even make such a game aren’t immediately there; instead, a creator needs to have a high level knowledge of commands, and often, will go out of their way to create entirely new mobs and game mechanics. Mirage Tower Defense is one such game, and while it takes play in Minecraft, this is not your typical minigame. We had loads of fun playing it, and we think you will too.

Rod Run

by Theticman, ChildOfStars, ChildOfMoon

When gearing up to combat other players, it’s important to grab your most powerful gear. Enchanted swords, sturdy shields, and… fishing rods? Inexplicably able to defeat a player in a single hook, these surprisingly powerful rods are all the equipment you’ll need. Choose between several different levels and do your best to survive the intense, fast-paced fishing combat!

That's all for now!

To learn about loading this and other content into Java Realms for your PC, visit our help site. If you haven't yet tried Realms for yourself, you'll have a blue diamond on the Minecraft Realms button, located on the main screen of Minecraft: Java Edition. Click it, then follow the instructions to try Realms free for 30 days.

We’d love to get your feedback on Realms maps. Are they fun? Do you play them occasionally, or eagerly await new releases? Which is your favourite? If you have comments, please reach out to me or any of the mapmakers; we want to know what you’re thinking.

Happy Minecrafting!