In the Minecraft Live presentation from September 2026, we not only learned more about the upcoming drop for 26.4, but also got a glimpse of what awaits us as Minecraft players in 2027. After more than 15 years, the time has come: next year the game is set to receive a new dimension. The Sift, as it’s called, will join the Overworld, the Nether, and the End. Not much is known yet, but the dimension is making its first appearance in the spin-off Minecraft Dungeons 2, even before it arrives in the sandbox game. Today we’ll look at what we can infer from that and which features might also make it to Java and Bedrock. Keep in mind this is all speculation and very little of it has been confirmed so far.
Minecraft Sift Dimension: Confirmed info and plausible speculation
The Sift brings a new dimension to Minecraft. Alongside the Overworld, the hellish Nether, and the lonely End, you’ll be able to visit the Sift starting next year. According to some comments from Mojang, this update has been in development for several years and planned for quite some time. It will likely be significantly larger than the recent drops, which have been released as smaller updates in recent years.
The dimension is first explorable for players of Minecraft Dungeons 2, a spin-off of the beloved sandbox game in the form of an action RPG. There we can already spot much more, especially new mobs and blocks that might also make it into the later Java and Bedrock versions. However, it’s still unclear if and how everything will be implemented. Even so, several connections and speculations can already be made.
Overall, it seems the Sift is connected to Sculk. Not only when we look at how you’ll likely enter this new dimension, but also in the design of some monsters. That also suggests the idea for this new world has existed for quite a while.
Long-time players will likely be reminded of the Aether mod, one of the most popular mods from the game’s early days. It added a completely new world with floating islands and similar pastel tones to the Sift. One of the original developers of the mod, kingbdogz, now works at Mojang and is surely directly involved in the update.
When the Sift arrives next year with a major update, you’ll of course be able to explore the new dimension with friends. Rent an affordable Minecraft server for friends and be ready to experience the update the moment it drops.
Sift biomes and blocks in Minecraft: Colors, terrain, and design
Judging by the teaser for the Sift for Java and Bedrock, the dimension seems fairly peaceful at first glance. We see pink grass, a turquoise sky, and gray-green trees. In the foreground a small mob jumps out, already known as the Blub. If we look further into the distance, we can also spot some greenish soil. All in all, a very tranquil place with gorgeous pastel colors.
A look at Minecraft Dungeons 2 reveals more, though we should stress again that these features haven’t been directly announced for Minecraft. In Dungeons 2, you can explore three biomes: Singer’s Meadow, Humbler Huskland, and the Lullaby Hills. Singer’s Meadow seems quite peaceful, while Humbler Huskland resembles a desert with huge skeletal fossils and dry-looking blocks. The Lullaby Hills feel darker and more labyrinthine, but we can’t deduce much more yet. Since Dungeons plays very differently, the terrain will surely be designed differently too.
One thing that stands out in Dungeons 2 is ichor, a thick, multicolored liquid that fills pools where you would expect water. It’s harmful to players and drains your life and souls, so you shouldn’t swim in it. It shimmers like an oil slick on the road, and we’re curious whether this effect will appear in Java and Bedrock as well.
Another exciting feature is the time of day in the Sift, which doesn’t follow a simple day-night cycle. In Dungeons 2 there are three “tides” that raise or lower the difficulty of certain regions. That would be a really cool mechanic. But again, it’s unknown if and how that could be translated into the sandbox game.
Sift mobs in Minecraft: Blub, Sifter, Sculker, and more
For the Sift in Java and Bedrock, we only know the Blub so far, the cute blue rabbit, while Dungeons 2 already features many new mobs. Again, it’s likely not all will be carried over to the sandbox version. Dungeons is a completely different game, and even in Dungeons 1 there are several mobs that never made it to the other game.
In Dungeons 2 there are many mobs that are directly tied to music or sound. These include the Echo Golem, the Singer, Trill, and the Tuner. Besides the Blub, there are two more companions, the Prickler and the Wobble. The game also isn’t short on enemy designs. There are two major factions, the Sifter and the Sculker. Again, this points to a connection between the Sift and Sculk. But we won’t commit to which monsters will actually appear next year.
Sift portal in Ancient Cities: How to enter the dimension
This question is just as intriguing, and we likely already have an answer. Ever since Ancient Cities deep underground were introduced, players have wanted the portal there to open. With the Sift, that could finally become reality in 2027. The portal has been shown several times in Dungeons 2 and is one of the options to enter the Sift there. You can open it using note blocks, another hint that the dimension is connected to music.
Dungeons 2 also features Rifts that can randomly open in the Overworld. Whether that’s just a mechanic for that game or something that will come to Java and Bedrock as well is unknown.
Conclusion on the Minecraft Sift Dimension 2027
With the Sift, Minecraft will gain a new dimension in 2027. However, it will first appear in Minecraft Dungeons 2, with many new blocks and especially monsters. We won’t commit yet to which of these features will later make it to Java and Bedrock. But some mechanics definitely sound exciting, including tides as time-of-day, the ties to Sculk and music, and the harmful ichor that drains life and souls. When we know more, you’ll of course read about it here.
