Minecraft's default character, Steve, has managed to become iconic and has achieved enough popularity to earn appearances in other games. Part of what has made it so easy for players to grow attached to him is his lack of defining characteristics which make him an everyman gamers around the world can identify with. Along the way, Steve was joined by Alex, making Minecraft attractive to an even wider audience.
A recent update added minor updates to both Steve and Alex, with the most notable change being the addition of Steve's goatee. This is not the first time Steve has had facial hair, and some gamers think his beard looks more like a fat grin. The change is a minor one in a year that has seen big changes come to Minecraft.
Steve's Beard Returns
Steve and Alex are easily some of the most popular characters in gaming, and Steve can easily be identified by his brown hair and blue shirt. Though his overall design has remained consistent throughout Minecraft's history, it has changed in minor ways along the way. Most notably, the character originally had a beard, eventually lost it, and has lived clean-shaven for over a decade, although he has sometimes been depicted with a beard in promotional material and his cameos in other games. As of recent, bearded Steve has made a return to Minecraft. Alex has also received minor alterations, including the addition of a 3D layer to her hair.
Mojang has not given any word on why Steve has received facial hair once again, though the beard was removed in 2009 to make the default playable character more gender-neutral. However, now that Steve has Alex around, it appears that Mojang no longer expects him to maintain that neutrality. It should also help to maintain a uniform look for Steve across different games and marketing material. Long-time Minecraft fans may be glad that Steve finally has his beard back, though some have pointed out how, thanks to the game's blocky art style, his goatee looks like a big grin. The change may take a while for many to notice, however, as the update only affects Steve and Alex's default model, and many players are likely playing with their character customized to their liking through Minecraft mods.
Much to Look Forward to in Minecraft
The change to Alex and Steve's models is a minor update in a year that has seen big updates come to Minecraft, with one of the most notable being Update 1.19, also known as The Wild. The update added plenty of new Mobs that roam Minecraft's world, including frogs and tadpoles. It also added the hostile Warden and the Allay, which can be quite useful. It also introduced new blocks for players to mine, and new biomes to explore. Minecraft fans can also look forward to Minecraft Legends in early 2022, as it is a spin-off title that will add a real-time strategy twist to the game.
With a character as iconic as Steve, it is unlikely that Mojang will ever significantly change him, though it seems to be undecided on whether he should have a beard or not. For now, it appears that Steve will keep his beard, but for players who do not like it, there are countless mods and customization options available to have him look perfect. The fact that it looks like a smile also helps to make him appear extremely cheerful.
Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.