Minecraft Beta: Happy Ghast and Visual Overhaul to Start a New Journey for Players
Currently available on PC (DX12), Xbox, PlayStation, and high-end mobile devices, vibrant visuals add a level of realism previously tied to mods or shaders. For now, split-screen support is limited, and texture packs remain incompatible.
When Mojang teased a bold new journey at Minecraft LIVE, many players chalked it up to April Fool’s energy. But just days after the playful chaos ended, the studio proved it wasn’t joking. Following the March 22 broadcast, beta testers are already digging into the second major content drop of 2025, and it’s not just another set of tweaks or texture packs. After a surprisingly competitive Realms testing surge last quarter and the ongoing platform optimizations following the DX12 rollout for PC, something bigger has landed. And it floats.
Minecraft Beta: Ride the Ghastline, A Skyward Spin on Classic Chaos
Forget gliding with Elytra or hopping in boats on ice. Players in the latest Minecraft Bedrock beta can now ride a new mob: the Happy Ghast. Introduced alongside the Ghastling and Dried Ghast Block, this Overworld-friendly creature defies the usual fiery temperament of its Nether cousin. Starting from a crafted dried block using ghast tears and bone, players can waterlog it to hatch a ghastling, adorable, loyal, and snowball-hungry.
Feed it enough, and it evolves into a full-grown Happy Ghast, capable of carrying up to four players across the sky. Multiplayer flight gets even more practical with the Ghast Harness, crafted from leather, glass, wool, and customizable dyes. This opens new co-op possibilities for exploration and combat, aligning with Mojang’s recent push for social-first mechanics in Realms. Given that Realms test participation increased 28% in Q1 2025, Mojang’s bet on shared experiences seems to be paying off.
For players worried about crashes or corruption, Mojang warns to keep these tests separate from the main worlds. Still, the inclusion of Ghast flight in Realms previews hints at deeper multiplayer integration planned for later this year. And with Java snapshots next in line, this isn’t just a Bedrock experiment; it’s the start of something wider.
Visuals That Reflect the Future
Alongside Happy Ghasts, players on select devices can now try Vibrant Visuals, a new graphics mode offering immersive skies, reflective waters, and realistic shadows. Initially demoed at Minecraft LIVE, this feature transforms environmental aesthetics, adding light logic that makes shadows stretch based on the sun’s position.
Currently available on PC (DX12), Xbox, PlayStation, and high-end mobile devices, Vibrant Visuals add a level of realism previously tied to mods or shaders. While split-screen support is limited and texture packs remain incompatible, Mojang has hinted at Java Edition support later in 2025. With beta feedback rolling in and new toggles for performance vs. visuals, the community is already shaping how this tech will evolve.
