Minecraft Windows 10 vs Java version: Which should you buy?
Minecraft was originally a Java based game until Microsoft bought it. The company has left Minecraft mostly untuoched in that the team continues to develop it to the same standard before with one exception. There is a Minecraft UWP version of the game. The Java version is still alive and in active development but since Minecraft is a popular game title, having it as a UWP app is a good way to promote these types of apps.
Minecraft Windows 10 vs Java version
The two versions are a lot alike as far as features are concerned and by features, we mean the various items, mobs, and biomes that appear in the game, as well as its general mechanics. That said, there are differences between the game as well and they impact game play to a great extent.
Bugs, bugs, and bugs
Games, particularly those as complex as Minecraft will have bugs in them. The Java version has its own glitches and the Windows 10 version has its own bugs but the Java version has been around for a good ten years and the Windows 10 version has not.
As such, the bugs in the UWP version of the app are far worse than those in the Java version. You may notice that mob spawn rates, as well as biome diversity has suffered somewhat in both versions of the app but on the UWP version, it’s particularly bad. The spawn rate is poor enough to make the game’s objective far more difficult to reach.
The point is, while both versions have bugs, the UWP version has bugs that impact game play.
Resources and modifications
Minecraft for Windows 10 supports almost all the modifications that the Java version does however, not as many resources for it have been developed. You’ll find plenty of texture packs and shaders for the Java version, and only a handful of them for the Windows 1o version. If you plan to mod the game quite a bit, the Java version is the way to go.
System resource consumption
The Java version of Minecraft is far more resource hungry than the Windows 10 version. This is more a Java problem than a Minecraft problem but there’s been little improvement on that front. If you do not intend to mod the game much, using the Windows 10 version is a better idea. That said, with modifications, the Windows 10 version of the app does run heavy on the system.
Active development
As mentioned earlier, the Java version of Minecraft is still being actively developed and there are no indications that it will be abandoned. If your only reason for switching to the Windows 10 version is you’re worried that the Java one will be discontinued, you should know that Microsoft tends to keep it alive.
Community
Minecaft, as a game, has a large user base that uses the Java version with only a small portion using the Windows 10 version. As such, the creative community builds most things for the Java version. Many in-game mechanics will work the same on both versions but any time it comes to things like texture packs, or adding other external resources/additions to the app, you will find the Windows 10 version will be left behind.
Cross platform multi-player
Minecraft is a desktop game but other versions of it do exist for other gaming platforms. There are even dedicated mobile versions of the game. Both the Java version and the Windows 10 version allows you to play with other players via servers etc., however with the Windows 10 version, the players can be from any platform; mobile, desktop, or console. The Java version does not have this option and there’s no way to force it.
Controller support
This is one of the bigger difference between the Java and Windows 10 versions of the app and it may, or may not matter depending how you want to play the game.
As of writing, the Java version does not support controllers out of the box. There are hacks to get them working but they’re hacks. The Windows 10 version supports controllers out of the box without any problems or complications.
Servers
Servers for both Java and Windows 10 versions are available however, due to the age of the Java version and it having more players overall, the Java servers far outnumber the Windows 10 ones and they are much better in most aspects.
Functional differences
While similar, Minecraft Windows 10 and the Java version are not identical. There’s a list of exclusive features that the Windows 10 version has that you can check out. If you see anything you’d like no matter what, consider going with the UWP version of the game.
Summary
The Minecraft Java version is more stable, has a larger community, and supports better maps, servers, and modifications that the Windows 10 version does not even come close to matching.
The Minecraft Windows 10 version has some exclusive features, controller support, and allows you to play with other players who are playing from different platforms.
Most people are of the opinion that if you like to play by yourself, focus on the core of the game, or just have fun in creative mode, the Windows 10 version is for you. If you want to play on servers, heavily mod the game so that it practically looks like Skyrim, the Java version is for you.
I love it