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    Hardcore mode is in testing for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition
    News
    Sophie Austin
    Written By
    Sophie Austin
    Published
    4/5/24

    Hardcore mode for Bedrock Edition

    Test the hardest of modes today!

    I thought Hardcore mode in Minecraft was toggling mob griefing to “on” and then building a sandcastle on a creeper-populated beach – but no! Hardcore mode is much more hardcore than that, and today we’re excited to announce that this most difficult of modes is in the works for Bedrock Edition players, too. I know what my weekend plans are going to be: dying multiple times testing Hardcore mode! Because it’s out now in Bedrock Edition preview and beta.

    The buttons for selecting Hardcore in Survival Mode

    What is Hardcore mode?

    Hardcore mode is a sub-category of Survival mode, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your hearts and your hunger, and fend off those pesky mobs around you. Sounds pretty familiar, right? Wrong! What makes Hardcode mode different is its one life-rule.

    The welcome screen reading: What you need to know about Hardcore Mode: 1. When you die, you will not respawn – game over! 2. You can't turn off Hardcore Mode after creating this world. 3. After you die, you can see but not interact with this world.

    In Hardcore mode, death is permanent, so you can’t respawn once you die. That means no second chances! Once you hit the death screen, you'll only be able to spectate your world. If that wasn’t extreme enough, the difficulty is also locked to the hardest setting. Now that’s hardcore!

    With such high stakes, we want to ensure we get Hardcore mode right before releasing it into the retail version of Bedrock Edition. Once it goes into testing, it’ll stay in preview and beta until we’re confident the experience is smooth for both players and creators. You can help us test Hardcore mode by submitting bugs at bugs.mojang.com and giving us your feedback on Discord or at via the feedback site!

    A cave opening

    This is a screenshot of an early, testing iteration of Hardcore mode for Bedrock Edition. Hardcore mode will stay in testing until we’re sure the player experience is smooth.

    The Minecraft death screen

    You think clicking this button will let you respawn? Think again! This is Hardcore mode, friend. Clicking this button will only let you spectate.

    An overview of a cave system in spectator view

    This is a screenshot of an early, testing iteration of Hardcore mode for Bedrock Edition. Hardcore mode will stay in testing until we’re sure the player experience is smooth.

    Hardcore mode for creators

    If you’re a creator, then chances are you’re already thinking about how to make your maps and worlds hardcore. Hardcore mode is being worked on for creators, so keep your eyes glued to Minecraft.net for more news about when (and how) you can make your creations tougher than ever.

    How can I test Hardcore mode?

    You can try out these features by enabling a testing version of Minecraft, called previews or betas for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. To enable preview/beta for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, follow these instructions. 

    If you are a Realm owner, you can also play these betas*, and previews* on your Realm! Any player who has an active Realms subscription is eligible to create a free testing Realm, so you can try out the new features with friends. Find more information on how to enable betas/previews on Bedrock Edition Realms*! 

    *Preview is available for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Realms on Xbox, Windows 10/11, and iOS. Betas are available on Android (Google Play). 

    Important note: testing versions can corrupt your world, so please backup and/or run them in a different save folder from your main worlds.

    I feel I should add a second disclaimer here: if you die in Hardcore mode, death is permanent, and you cannot respawn. The world you were playing in won’t get deleted, but you will only be able to spectate that world. You will no longer be able to play in it.

    Which is why I’ll be starting a brand new world, loading in, and testing my record for “quickest death screen ever”. Last time it was just 12 seconds!  

    Happy testing, hardcore-ers!

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