TheSpongeBob SquarePantsadd-on forMinecraftwill receive an expansive update on August 20. First released in 2022, the new update will have players venture back to a blocky version of Bikini Bottom and be able to complete various quests such as jellyfish-catching and searching for Gary the Snail. Each quest completed will unlock blueprints for iconic undersea buildings for players to create with new blocks and furniture, including the busy Krusty Krab restaurant and Sandy Cheeks’ air-filled Treedome. While fans of the over 25-year-long Nickelodeon series may be excited about exploringMinecraftunder the sea with this update, Mojang should consider revisiting and updating other crossovers with famous franchises.
Minecraft’s Mash-Up Crossover Packs Explained
For years, players have been able to mod and addnew mobs, items, and textures toMinecraftto create new and exciting experiences in their blocky world. However, these were just fan-made creations and were rarely supported by Mojang itself. It wasn’t until 2013 that Mojang would begin releasing mash-up packs so that players' worlds could officially be changed to mirror some players’ favorite games, shows, movies, and more. Changes to the world often vary, but the mash-up packs typically add new textures, skins, music, and new loading screens when purchased and downloaded. Mash-up packs’ textures can additionally be used on other worlds beyond the pack’s template world.
Minecraft’s first mash-up pack released in late summer 2013 on home consoles in the form oftheMass EffectMash-up Pack. Based heavily on the early Mars mission seen in 2012’sMass Effect 3, theMass EffectMash-up Pack changed the texture for every block and item to reflect the futuristic technology of the 22nd century. As players explore Mars, listening toMass Effect’s iconic soundtrack, they can change their skin to play as up to 36 characters across theMass Effectseries. However, mobs didn’t have their texture changed, unlike future mash-up packs such as theHaloand Greek Mythology mash-up packs.
While theMinecraftSpongeBob SquarePantsadd-on won’t be updated till late August, players can currently claim theSpongebob-inspired Imaginaaaation Character Creator headwear item for free from the Dressing Room.
Minecraft Crossovers in Need of an Update
Minecraftmash-up packs have received occasional updates, but these were primarily limited to new textures made for new items and mobs or skins to reflect new entries in a series, such as the Infinite Master Chief skin intheHaloMash-up Pack. Mojang could update a few mash-up packs beyond these limitations to add more structures and quests to better mirror new or popular entries. Two mash-ups in particular that could use a facelift are theFalloutandSkyrimMash-up packs.
TheFalloutMash-up Packwas released in 2016 and was based primarily on 2015’sFallout 4and 2008’sFallout 3with recreations of the Prydwen aircraft and the town of Megaton to name a few. With the recent success of Amazon Prime’sFalloutseries and the tease of the second season taking place in New Vegas, Mojang should expand the template world and add locations fromFallout: New Vegasand theFalloutTV show. Some of the new locations could be the New Vegas Strip and the NCR capital Shady Sands. There are enough locations in both entities that Mojang could make an entirely new mash-up world which could include new items and textures such as armor based on NCR veteran rangers.
An Expanded Elder Scrolls Mash-Up Pack
TheSkyrimMash-up Packwas released in 2013 and featured only a few locations from 2011’sThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, such as the city of Whiterun and the Nordic ruin Bleak Falls Barrow. WhileElder Scrollsgames are large enough to fill multiple mash-up template worlds on their own, Mojang could expand it to feature iconic locations fromThe Elder Scrolls 4: OblivionandThe Elder Scrolls Online. Some of these locations could be the towering Imperial City or the Summerset Isles, while the Nether could be turned into the Daedric realm of Oblivion, with the Nether portals themselves designed to better resemble Oblivion Gates.
Minecraft
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
