Minecraft enthusiasts are experiencing an exhilarating time as the game continues to expand with new items and mobs, along with thrilling announcements from the latest Minecraft Live event. This year’s event concluded with a blend of anticipated features and a few unexpected surprises that delighted fans.
Among the highlights was the announcement of the first update for 2025, titled Spring to Life, which has been scheduled for release. Additionally, developers provided a glimpse into the features included in the second update drop slated for later in the year. Here’s an overview of what to expect from this forthcoming update.
Exciting Features in Minecraft’s 2025 Second Update Drop

Although the exact release date of the upcoming update has yet to be announced, some exciting features have been confirmed. One of the standout additions is the innovative locator bar, which aims to enhance player connectivity by allowing them to find their friends more easily within the game world.
This new feature acts as an intuitive user interface element that replaces the XP bar when activated. It employs a series of colorful squares to represent players and their positions in relation to the user’s viewpoint. Mojang Studios has ingeniously incorporated color-coded signals and directional arrows to guide players effectively.
The functionality of the locator bar indicates proximity: when a square turns vibrant in color, it signifies that the other player is within a 120-degree visual range. Additionally, if the fellow player is situated above or below the user’s field of view at a 30-degree angle, arrows will indicate their exact direction.
Players have expressed concern regarding the potential replacement of the XP bar, emphasizing its practicality. Some have proposed that Mojang Studios consider merging the functionalities of both the XP and locator bars into a single, cohesive unit. As the locator bar is still in its beta phase, there is a possibility that player feedback may influence its future development.
Another exciting addition scheduled for later this year is the introduction of ghast variants, which will surely please players who enjoy exploration and creating massive structures. Fans can look forward to three new forms: the dried ghast, the ghastling, and the happy ghast.
The dried ghast can be discovered in the Nether, specifically near fossil remnants. This unique entity is a block rather than a typical mob and resembles a ghast. Players must transport this block to the Overworld and maintain it submerged in water for a period, at which point it will transform into the ghastling mob.
The ghastling will float through the air, and players can feed it snowballs to stimulate its growth. Eventually, as it matures, it will evolve into the happy ghast—a friendly alternative to the fearsome original found in the Nether.
Additionally, players can craft a harness to ride on the happy ghast, which operates similarly to a large air balloon, accommodating up to four players at a time.
Stay tuned for further updates as Minecraft continues to evolve with these exciting new features!