Minecraft players worldwide are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Chase the Skies update, officially scheduled to release on June 17, 2025. This major summer drop promises to revolutionize the gaming experience with groundbreaking features that will transform how players explore, build, and interact within their blocky worlds.
The Chase the Skies update represents Mojang’s second major game drop of 2025, following their new strategy of delivering multiple substantial updates throughout the year rather than a single annual release. This approach ensures players receive fresh content more frequently, keeping the community engaged and excited about new possibilities within the Minecraft universe.
At the heart of this update lies the introduction of the Happy Ghast, a revolutionary rideable flying mob that will fundamentally change transportation mechanics in Minecraft. Unlike traditional mobs, the Happy Ghast offers aerial mobility for up to four to five players simultaneously, making it an invaluable asset for multiplayer exploration and grand construction projects. Players can obtain these friendly creatures by rescuing dried ghast blocks from the Nether, bringing them to the Overworld, and nurturing them with water and snowballs until they mature into rideable companions.
Equally significant is the introduction of Vibrant Visuals, a comprehensive graphical overhaul that promises to deliver the most substantial visual enhancement Minecraft has seen in years. This shader-like system will initially launch exclusively on Bedrock Edition, featuring volumetric fog, directional lighting, dynamic shadows, and improved reflections that create an immersive, cinematic gaming experience. The visual upgrade transforms how light and shadow interact with the game world, making sunrises over oceans more spectacular and forest environments more atmospheric than ever before.
Revolutionary Flying Mechanics with Happy Ghasts
Minecraft ‘Chase The Skies’ (Image via Getty)The Happy Ghast system introduces an entirely new dimension to Minecraft gameplay, literally taking players to the skies. To obtain a Happy Ghast, players must first locate dried ghast blocks near fossil structures in the Nether or acquire them through Piglin bartering. Alternatively, crafting requires eight Ghast Tears and one Soul Sand block. Once brought to the Overworld and submerged in water, these blocks transform into adorable Ghastlings that can be fed snowballs to mature into full-sized, rideable Happy Ghasts.
These aerial companions serve multiple purposes beyond transportation. They function as mobile platforms for builders working on vertical constructions, eliminating the need for traditional scaffolding systems. The ability to accommodate multiple players makes Happy Ghasts perfect for group adventures and collaborative building projects in multiplayer servers and Realms.
Enhanced Multiplayer Experience and Quality of Life Improvements
The update introduces a Player Locator Bar that replaces the traditional XP bar during multiplayer sessions. This feature displays colored markers and directional arrows for each player, significantly improving cooperative gameplay and team coordination. Players can hide from the locator using carved pumpkins or invisibility potions, adding strategic elements to hide-and-seek games and PvP scenarios.
Additional improvements include enhanced leash mechanics allowing players to create mob caravans and leash boats, craftable saddles making horse riding more accessible, and five new ambient music tracks composed by Amos Roddy. The update also features a new lootable music disc obtainable from regular Ghasts in the Nether.
Visual Revolution with Vibrant Visuals
Vibrant Visuals represents the most significant graphical advancement in Minecraft’s history, initially available exclusively for Bedrock Edition players. This comprehensive visual overhaul includes directional lighting that creates realistic shadow patterns, volumetric fog that adds atmospheric depth to environments, and enhanced water reflections that make oceans and lakes more lifelike.
The system transforms every biome, making forests appear properly shaded, waterfalls shimmer in sunlight, and fog drift naturally through landscapes. These enhancements create opportunities for artistic expression through shadow manipulation and light-based builds, opening new creative possibilities for the community.
