You log into Minecraft expecting to punch a tree. Instead? You’re riding a flying ghost across the Overworld, your screen looks like a Pixar short, and you’re somehow leading a llama–camel parade with a leash made of string and dreams.
Welcome to the Chase the Skies update.
Mojang’s summer 2025 drop is now live for both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, and it brings some of the boldest changes we’ve seen in years: from rideable flying mobs to a full-blown visual overhaul (on Bedrock, for now). Here’s a full breakdown of everything new, weird, and wonderful.
Fly with friends: The Happy Ghast
Meet the Happy Ghast: a brand new Overworld mob that’s part pet, part vehicle, part floating couch for you and three friends.
Image credit: Microsoft
How to get one:
- Find a Dried Ghast in the Nether (Soul Sand Valley).
- Rehydrate it with water to spawn a Ghastling.
- Feed it snowballs or wait until it grows.
- Equip it with a Harness.
- Soar.
It’s adorable. It’s rideable. It comes in 16 dyable color variants. You can stand on it. You can sit on it. It’s a ghast, but happy. That alone makes this update worth it.
Locator Bar: Find your friends (or don’t)
Image credit: Microsoft
The new Player Locator Bar is a clever little HUD addition that helps you keep track of your server buddies.
- Works in multiplayer
- Shows colored dots for each player
- Only works if they’re not crouching (sneaky sneaky)
Finally, you can stop yelling “where are you” into Discord every 10 minutes. Unless your friends like hiding from you. In which case… maybe you deserve it.
Vibrant Visuals: Minecraft’s biggest graphical upgrade
Image credit: Microsoft
Bedrock Edition players with supported devices get access to Vibrant Visuals, a sweeping graphical overhaul that includes:
- Infinite clouds
- Volumetric lighting
- Specular highlights
- Reflective water
- Enhanced textures
- Sunset lighting that actually feels like a sunset
It’s like Mojang borrowed a few RTX devs and told them to go wild… and it shows. No mods, no texture packs. Built-in beauty. Absolute cinema!
❗ Note: Currently only on Bedrock, with Java support “coming later.” Also, it requires a relatively beefy device (or Xbox Series X|S, PS5, or a recent Android/iOS chipset).
String, shears and saddles: All got updated
Image credit: Microsoft
Let’s talk mechanics. A lot of them.
Leads
- You can now leash one mob to another mob. Yes, you can create a llama-to-camel-to-ghast chain if you really want.
- Use shears to unleash things.
- Leashes now have “ownership” (re-leashing steals the mob)
- Llamas won’t auto-caravan anymore if they’re already leashed.
- Dispensers can now unleash mobs using shears.
- You can now craft leads using only string – no slimeball required.
Saddles
- Now craftable: 3 leather + 1 iron ingot.
- Can be removed from mobs using shears.
Shears (the real MVP this update)
- Can now unequip saddles, break leash knots, and generally do more than just ruin sheep vibes.
New item alert: Music Disc “Tears”
Image credit: Microsoft
The update also includes a brand new music disc called “Tears” by Amos Roddy – and it slaps. You’ll need to deflect a Ghast fireball and make it hit a Ghast to get it, so bring your best dodging game.
Pop it in a jukebox while soaring on your Happy Ghast for full cinematic immersion.
Optimization for Xbox Series X|S
Minecraft is now officially optimized for Xbox Series X and Series S, and yes – that includes the full Vibrant Visuals treatment. Load times, rendering, lighting… all better. The console glow-up is real.
So… what’s the actual vibe?
In short:
- You can fly a ghast
- You can leash mobs to other mobs
- You can track friends without chasing cords
- You can remove saddles with scissors
- Your world looks like a Pixar short if you’re on Bedrock
And it’s all official – no mods, no resource packs, no hacks, just a new drop that delivers on spectacle and substance.
Getting the update
- Java players: Just update your launcher.
- Bedrock players: It’s available now on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Android, and iOS.
- To enable Vibrant Visuals, go to Video Settings > Graphics Mode > Vibrant Visuals (Bedrock only).
Make sure to check your device compatibility before diving into the new visuals. Some older systems may switch to Fancy or Simple rendering if you’re in splitscreen multiplayer.
Sky’s the limit… literally
This update feels like a turning point. It’s not just a mob drop or a cosmetic tweak. It’s a whole mood shift: from grounded gameplay to skybound exploration, from gritty builds to cinematic vibes.
Whether you’re starting a new server or adding a floating ghast highway to your SMP, Chase the Skies is your excuse to think bigger, fly higher, and leash everything to everything else.
No better time to host it all on your own server.
