Minecraft changes forever after 17 years: Mojang increases system requirements for the first time

The Java version raises its demands to adapt to modern hardware and improve performance.

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After nearly two decades of surprisingly modest requirements, Mojang Studios has announced a historic decision for Minecraft: Java Edition. For the first time in 17 years, the studio has updated both the minimum and recommended requirements for the game, a move that aims to adapt the experience to current hardware and offer more consistent performance.

According to Mojang, the previous specifications were designed for hardware that has long since become outdated. Although they were sufficient for years, they no longer reflect the game’s real needs, especially after all the improvements and content added since its release.

Minecraft: Java Edition will require more memory and a more modern PC

Among the most significant changes is a significant increase in the recommended RAM, as well as the requirement for more recent processors and graphics cards compatible with Vulkan 1.3.

The new recommended requirements are:

• 16 GB of RAM (previously 4 GB).
• A modern processor, approximately from the 2020 generation or later.
• A graphics card with around 6 GB of VRAM.
• A target of 1080p and 60 FPS with the Fancy graphics setting.

On the other hand, the minimum requirements also increase significantly:

• 8 GB of RAM (or 12 GB if integrated graphics are used).
• A 4-core processor.
• A GPU compatible with Vulkan 1.3.
• At least 2 GB of graphics memory (VRAM).
• A target of 1080p and 30 FPS using the Fast graphics setting.

Mojang clarifies that, despite this increase, Minecraft: Java Edition is still far from requiring a high-end PC. The studio considers that these new specifications simply establish a more realistic base to ensure a stable experience on current hardware, especially for those playing at 1080p resolution.

This change marks a before and after for one of the most popular video games in history and reflects how even the most veteran titles need to evolve alongside modern hardware.