Latest Minecraft patch goes live

A new update for the Minecraft beta has gone live, adding a few minor features to the PC world-building sensation.

The headline additions are the inclusion of pistons and the ability to stack fences. Here's the full changelog for update 1.7, as seen on developer Notch's blog:

• Added pistons
• Fire or redstone is now required to trigger TNT
• Fences can be stacked
• Added shears
• Shears can be used to pick up leaf blocks
• Shears can be used to shear sheep without hurting them
• Sheep no longer drop wool from being punched
• Removed Herobrine

The next update, due later this year, promises to be much more disruptive however, bringing with it a new focus on adventure and exploration.

"The update is pretty big, and will change a lot of how Minecraft is played, focusing on making exploration and combat much more rewarding, and bringing in a bigger sense of adventure to the game," explained Notch.

"Already implemented are new complex terrain features, at least one new mob, some interesting new combat mechanics, a new lighting engine, and some experimental new gameplay ideas. To come is more interesting farming, bigger incentives to explore, and npc villages."

That should be the last update before the game's full launch in November. The official release will include "finishing up the mod api, improving stability and performance, adding supporting features like friends lists and a proper server browser, integrating single player and multiplayer, and most importantly fleshing out the gameplay."