Minecraft’s next update cycle is moving closer to release, and Minecraft 26.1 Pre-Release 1 has officially arrived. Pre-releases are one of the final testing stages before Mojang pushes an update to the full game, which means the focus is no longer on new features. Instead, the goal is polishing the update with bug fixes, rendering improvements, and technical changes.

For players this may seem like a smaller update, but for Minecraft server owners and content creators, there are a few interesting changes worth knowing about.

Let’s break down what’s new.

A New Model Type for End Portal Effects

One of the most interesting additions in this pre-release is a new special model type called minecraft:end_cube.

This model type allows resource packs and custom content to render a cube with the same visual effects used by End Portals and End Gateways.

It supports two portal effects:

• portal
• gateway

For map makers and server creators, this opens up new possibilities for custom builds, displays, and immersive environments without needing to place actual portal blocks.

This feature is especially useful for:

• Adventure maps
• Custom minigame servers
• Creative builds using display entities

It gives creators more flexibility to produce unique visual effects while keeping builds clean and controllable.

End Portal Rendering Improvements

Another notable improvement focuses on End Portal and End Gateway rendering.

Previously, these blocks could appear incorrectly when used in Block Display entities, which are commonly used in command-based builds or custom maps.

In Minecraft 26.1 Pre-Release 1, these blocks now render correctly when used in display entities, matching how they appear when placed normally in the world.

This is a small change, but an important one for map creators and technical builders who rely heavily on commands and display entities.

Rendering and Shader Updates

Mojang also made some adjustments to Minecraft’s internal rendering system.

The shader:

core/rendertype_translucent_moving_block

has been removed and replaced with:

core/block

This simplifies the rendering pipeline and helps improve graphical consistency across blocks and entities.

While most players will not notice this directly, it helps maintain performance and stability as Minecraft continues evolving its graphics system.

Bug Fixes Included in This Pre-Release

The majority of changes in this update focus on bug fixes and visual corrections.

Some of the more notable fixes include:

Mob and Texture Fixes

Several visual bugs affecting baby mobs have been corrected, including:

• Incorrect wolf pup tail textures
• Texture gaps on baby wolves
• Snout texture issues on baby zombified piglins
• Helmet alignment problems on baby mobs

These fixes help ensure models render correctly during gameplay.

Command and Gameplay Fixes

The /swing command now properly displays the correct arm animation when used.

There were also fixes for pointed dripstone growth behavior in certain water setups.

Combat and Animation Fixes

Zombies holding spears previously lost their unique attack animation. This animation has now been restored.

Crash Fixes

A crash related to mobs holding items with empty kinetic_weapon components has also been resolved, improving stability in some edge cases.

What This Means for Minecraft Server Owners

If you run a Minecraft server, this pre-release is mostly about stability and polish rather than gameplay changes.

Server owners should keep a few things in mind:

• Pre-releases are testing builds, so they should not be used on production servers yet.
• Plugin and mod compatibility may not be fully updated.
• These updates usually signal that the full 26.1 release is approaching soon.

Once the official update launches, server administrators may want to review:

• plugin compatibility
• mod loader updates
• world backup procedures before upgrading

Try Minecraft Server Hosting With Host Havoc

If you are planning to launch a new Minecraft world or upgrade your server when the next update releases, having reliable hosting can make the process much smoother.

Host Havoc provides powerful Minecraft server hosting with:

• High performance hardware
• Instant setup
• Global server locations
• Easy mod and plugin support

Whether you are running a small survival server or a large community world, you can get started quickly and focus on playing instead of managing infrastructure.

Minecraft 26.1 is getting closer to its full release, and updates like this pre-release help ensure the game remains stable and polished for millions of players and servers around the world.

If you want to stay up to date on Minecraft updates, server hosting tips, and new games, keep an eye on the Host Havoc blog for the latest news.