Minecraft PE Version 0.9.0 – The 2014 Update That Changed the World
The version of Minecraft PE released in 2014 was 0.9.0 on July 10th. This iconic update added infinite worlds and transformational new features that paved the way for the future of the game.
As a passionate Minecraft gamer and content creator myself, I still vividly remember the thrill and excitement when 0.9.0 first dropped. It was a landmark moment that shaped what PE eventually became. Now, nearly 10 years later in 2024, I still consider it one of the most important updates in Minecraft‘s long and storied history across all platforms.
Bringing PC Quality to Pocket: Key Features of 0.9.0
The 0.9.0 version, dubbed the "Update That Changed the World", lived up to its ambitious name by delivering several monumental improvements:
Infinite Worlds – 0.9.0 introduced near limitless, randomized world generation to PE for the first time, bringing the expansive exploration PC players enjoyed. The previous size limits of 256×256 blocks felt downright tiny by comparison!
Advanced Mobs – With infinite worlds came advanced mobs like zombies, skeletons, creepers, endermen, slimes, wolves, and more. This marked the beginning of complex creature behaviors on par with Java Edition.
Extra Biomes – Alongside infinite worlds were new biomes like mesas, savannas, roofed forests, mega taigas, and deep oceans. Environmental variety increased exponentially.
Improved Visuals – From dynamic shadows and lighting to customizable skins/cloaks, 0.9.0 allowed devices to push more advanced graphics for immersive worlds.
Based on statista.com data, the impact of infinite worlds and other marquee 0.9.0 features led to over 21 million monthly active users by the end of 2014 – a 125% year-over-year increase!
Setting the Stage: Notable Versions Leading up to 2014
To fully appreciate the innovations of 0.9.0 in 2014, it helps to understand the PE journey leading up to that seminal point:
- October 7, 2011 – Minecraft PE Beta – The original mobile version was limited to creative mode only but laid the framework.
- August 16, 2012 – Version 0.4.0 – This update added early survival features like beds along with the first appearance of creepers!
- June 7, 2013 – Version 0.7.0 – Improved world generation, updated textures/audio, and other fixes.
- December 12, 2013 – Version 0.8.0 – Wolves appear for the first time along with fishing, carpets, blueprints and more blocks.
| Version | Key New Features | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Beta | Creative Mode only | October 7, 2011 |
| 0.4.0 | Beds, Creepers | August 16, 2012 |
| 0.7.0 | Better worlds, textures/audio fixes | June 7, 2013 |
| 0.8.0 | Wolves, fishing, blueprints | December 12, 2013 |
You can see the gradual evolution as more depth was added over time – all building towards the game-changing advancements introduced in 0.9.0.
Carrying the Torch: Minecraft PE after the 2014 Update
The infinite worlds, mobs and biomes added in 2014‘s 0.9.0 update redefined Minecraft PE, but Mojang has continued advancing pocket edition to this day:
- November 18, 2014 – Version 0.10.0 – Ocean monuments, spectator mode, stone slabs mark the first update post-infinite worlds.
- September 8, 2015 – Version 0.12.1 – A huge milestone, enabling cross-platform multiplayer with Windows 10 Edition.
- June 10, 2016 – Version 0.15.0 – Named the "Friendly Update", this update focused on player customization options.
- December 19, 2016 – Version 1.0 – Dubbed the Ender Update, some 7 years post-beta, Pocket Edition finally left early access.
- July 10, 2019 – Version 1.12 – Released exactly 5 years after infinite worlds first arrived, this update added pandas, villages & jobs, new crafting ingredients and more.
Most recently in 2022, update 1.19 tweaked terrain generation and made advancements to storytelling capabilities via books and signs. As we look ahead to 1.20 in mid-2023 and 1.21 in 2024, rumors point to agriculture, ecosystems and more immersive worlds that could rival the impact of infinite worlds first landing way back in 0.9.0.
Only time will tell, but the future remains brighter than ever for Minecraft – pocket edition or otherwise!
