A new feature in Minecraft allows you to avoid killing as many pigs.

      Mojang

      The upcoming update for Minecraft introduces long-awaited features, such as the ability to craft saddles and, more importantly, to remove them from your pig mounts without having to turn them into bacon. These features will be part of the second major update scheduled for later this year, but players can try them out in the Java snapshot or Bedrock beta and preview.

      Instead of spending all your time fishing or searching through dungeons for a single saddle, players can now craft their own. It only requires three pieces of leather and one iron ingot, allowing you to ride off into the sunset. Players have been able to craft leather horse armor for some time, so crafting saddles seems like a logical next step, especially considering they've been missing for nearly 16 years. Creating your own saddle is significantly easier than finding one in the wild, making this a welcome addition.

      The update also features another, often overlooked capability: you can shear a saddled pig to take off the saddle. You will no longer have to kill adorable pigs just because Minecraft’s loot system has not favored you. You can always reattach the saddle to the pig afterward without any consequences.

      Mojang

      In addition to these more humane features, the next update will include five new ambient music tracks inspired by the new additions. The update also enables the chance to obtain the Tears music disc from hostile ghasts in the Nether, with hints in the update post suggesting a specific method required to defeat the ghast to acquire the disc.

      While there is no confirmed release date, most estimates suggest a launch around June 2025. The update will introduce the aforementioned features along with other benefits, such as the ability to find dried-out ghasts and rehydrate them as pets or potential flying mounts.

      Patrick Hearn covers smart home technology, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and smart light bulbs.

      Valorant is making its way to consoles but will not include crossplay.

      Valorant is set to arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S as soon as next week with a limited beta test. Riot Games announced these highly anticipated ports for its competitive hero shooter during Summer Game Fest 2024. Notably, while Valorant on consoles will support cross-progression, it will not feature crossplay.

      This decision may disappoint players hoping to team up with their friends on PC, but Riot Games stated it was aimed at "maintaining Valorant's standard for competitive integrity." It would not be fair for players using controllers to compete against those with a keyboard and mouse. Furthermore, Riot Games is not only adapting the control scheme for Xbox and PlayStation controllers but also reworking some gameplay elements. A new feature called Focus has been introduced, enhancing hip-fire accuracy on a controller. Valorant Production Director Arnar Gylfason discussed this in a comment to Digital Trends.

      Don’t worry; the Riven remake will not include any AI-assisted content.

      Cyan's classic PC adventure game, Riven: The Sequel to Myst, is getting a remake in Unreal Engine 5 later this year. Despite controversy surrounding AI content in their last game, Cyan confirmed to Digital Trends that the Riven remake will not utilize any "AI-assisted content."

      Riven: The Sequel to Myst, released in 1997, was a follow-up to the groundbreaking point-and-click adventure game that helped shape puzzle games and immersive 3D design. It continued to develop the formula that Cyan established in Myst and is cherished by many fans. Cyan previously remade Myst for PC and VR and indicated that Riven would receive similar treatment in 2022. The remake has now been officially re-revealed, showcasing its use of Unreal Engine 5, gameplay allowing for free movement within its 3D environments, and new puzzle and narrative elements. However, none of this will involve AI-assisted content.

      You won’t have to wait long to play Resident Evil 4: The Mercenaries.

      Capcom has announced the release date for The Mercenaries mode in its remake of Resident Evil 4. Fortunately, the wait is short as the free DLC is set for release on April 7.

      We learned about The Mercenaries two weeks ago thanks to a teaser at the end of the launch trailer for the Resident Evil 4 remake. The teaser did not showcase new gameplay or provide further details about the mode, only presenting a piece of key art with the release date for the free DLC. The mode was initially hinted at during the February State of Play at the end of Resident Evil 4's trailer.