Minecraft Snapshot 14w34d released, Minecraft 1.8 coming next week?

As you've probably noticed by now, we've been lacking on our coverage of Minecraft snapshots (mostly because the majority of them are simply bug fixes). But this one, snapshot 14w34d, is important - it's the last snapshot for Minecraft 1.8.  This snapshot specifically doesn't add any breathtaking new features - only dozens of bug fixes to prepare for Minecraft 1.8. Nathan Adams, one of Minecraft's developers, said on the company blog earlier today:

With some luck, this week may be the last week of 1.8 snapshots! We’re hoping to do a pre-release this Thursday if there are no major issues remaining in the snapshots by then.

Minecraft 1.8 is a huge update - but most of it is in the options and behind the scenes. We wrote about the amazing performance improvements Minecraft 1.8 included, that in some cases can more than double FPS. Minecraft 1.8 includes new video, skin, and difficulty options as well as dozens of new commands for command blocks. Beyond the technical stuff, there's dozens of new blocks like Diorite, Granite, Coarse Dirt, Red Sandstone, Sea Lantern, Slime blocks, new doors, Banners, and more.

New mobs include Endermites, Guardians, Elder Guardians, and even Rabbits! There's a ton of other small features in this update, I recommend you take a look at the Minecraft Wiki for all the juicy stuff. The 'd' at the end of the snapshot means it's the fourth snapshot this week - and hopefully the last. You can get the snapshot with the instructions in the source link.

Source: Mojang