Though Minecraft's most recent 1.19 update was had a lot to unpack, players suspect that Mojang is quietly laying the groundwork for an even greater update yet to come. Though the update introduced the Warden, one of Minecraft's most intense mobs to date, the new deep dark biome and ancient city structures added further mystery. The origins of these ancient cities, how they came to be overrun by sculk, and why they appear to be designed with the Warden in mind are all being discussed.

The answer to these questions might be tied to a future update that could bring with it a whole new dimension to Minecraft. Though nothing official has been confirmed, fans have pointed to unusual details in the deep dark's ancient cities that seem to support this theory. Given these updates are still relatively new, it's possible that sometime in the near future Minecraft could go beyond just the Nether and Overworld dimensions.

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A New Minecraft Portal Hidden in Plain Sight

Minecraft's Ancient City in the Deep Dark biome

The deep dark's ancient cities offer great looting potential for players if they can handle the high stakes of traversing sculk-infested terrain. But players quickly noticed that dominating the ancient city was one structure in particular: an apparent interpretation of the Warden's face in statue-form. Lit up from below with blue fire, this structure is impossible to miss, and also built atop a secret redstone room that's often worth looting.

Beyond being a homage to the Warden, players have pointed out the resemblance between this Warden's mouth and a Nether portal. The mouth portion is made of reinforced deepslate, a completely unique block type that players are currently unable to obtain by crafting or mining - even with silk touch enchantments. Coupled with the flaming soul sand below the structure, some players believe these details point toward the mouth being a portal.

Minecraft is littered with environmental structures intended to subtly educate players. For example, ruined Nether portals can be found across the Overworld with chests containing gold equipment and items that generate fire, such as fire charges. Without explicitly telling the player what to do, Minecraft leaves all the pieces for a player to work out on their own. With the ancient city "portal," the game may have an update to put it all together.

What a New Minecraft Dimension Could Bring

Minecraft Deep Dark Update

Given the Nether has existed since the earliest days of Minecraft, players have come up with their own ideas and mods that introduced new Minecraft dimensions, with popular examples including the Aether as an opposite realm to the Nether. Clearly players see the potential in a new dimension, and are hoping one may be added in the future.

Some have speculated that since a new portal-shaped structure exists only within ancient cities, in biomes infested with sculk, that this could have some connection to the new dimension. In the same way netherrack and lava can be seen around ruined Nether portals, it's possible that these inactive portals were the cause of why ancient cities are abandoned deep underground. The portal could have been how the sculk and the Warden arrived in the Overworld, implying the new dimension is sculk-based.

The new dimension could then pave the way for more Warden-inspired mobs that rely on sound than sight, as well as introduce new building and crafting materials such as different Minecraft wood types for new color shades or equipment beyond netherite. New structures could also be added, reminiscent of the ancient city, that give rise to all new lore. Expanding the premise of the deep dark biome's stealth and sound mechanics, a new dimension that poses even greater risks with matching rewards could be an excellent addition.

Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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