While there are already several ways to play the popular sandbox game "Minecraft," the game's developer is still pushing the boundary to introduce new gameplay to ensure replayability. Tech giant Microsoft has announced that the console edition of "Minecraft" will receive an update called "Battle," which will be released as a free add-on in June.

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The Battle mini-game is pretty straightforward; players will be pitted against each other in a fight to the death, and no complicated setup is required. Microsoft hinted that Battle will not be the last mini-game to be added to "Minecraft." The tech giant said that more mini-games are currently in the works.

According to The Guardian, the new Battle add-on was developed by 4J Studios - the same studio that developed that PlayStation, Xbox, and Wii versions of the game.

The new "Minecraft" Battle add-on works in quite a similar way as traditional first-person shooter deathmatch rounds. Microsoft describes the new add-on's gameplay as "competitive multiplayer fight for survival, where, strategy - and sometime just pure luck - will make you the winner."

The new Battle add-on will feature a wide-range of available weapons that can be used against opponents. These weapons can be found in chests that are strategically placed throughout the arena. The gameplay does not end upon death, instead, players turn into a bat once they are defeated and they can watch the remaining players by hovering above the arena.

The new Battle add-on can be played by up to four local players using split screen mode. An eight-player option is also available as long as players are connected online via Xbox Live. The first arena will be included into the add-on for free. However, if players want to have a more diverse set of maps, Microsoft is planning to sell additional arenas via the Map Packs downloadable content which will cost $2.99.

According to PC Mag, the new Battle add-on is the second major "Minecraft" news to surface this week. The first being Microsoft's revelation that it is bringing the mobile and PC version of "Minecraft" to China.

TagsMicrosoft, Minecraft, Minecraft mini game, battle, Minecraft Battle, Minecraft Battle minigame