Java players are already testing creative new ways to color cushions using sea lanterns and crying obsidian while the latest snapshot expands explorer maps from abandoned camps to ancient cities, mineshafts and ocean ruins.
If you have been experimenting in recent snapshots, Snapshot 8 gives you more to play with. Cushions can now pick up tints from light sources like sea lanterns for cooler tones or crying obsidian for darker shades. Placement matters. The effect works best on full blocks and varies with distance from torches.
New Explorer Maps and Map Improvements
Abandoned camps now contain maps leading to ancient cities, mineshafts, desert pyramids, warm ocean ruins and biome-specific camp variants. These maps cannot be zoomed out in the cartography table. A new indicator on the map edge now shows which way you are facing when the map is not centered on your position.
- Five new explorer map types from abandoned camps
- Maps display player facing direction outside the map border
- Concrete stairs and slabs fully integrated with additional bug fixes
- Community testing already underway on cushion light interactions
The snapshot also includes the usual batch of fixes. No major performance overhaul or new biome content dropped today, but the map and cushion changes are getting noticeable play from technical players and YouTubers. xisumavoid broke it down within hours of release.
Expect more snapshots in the coming weeks as testing for the full release continues. In the meantime the community is already building with the new tinted cushions and hunting down those fresh explorer maps.