Lots of good information out of this PAX video featuring Notch playing Minecraft. He shows off the Creative Mode with flying, unlimited inventory, instant-block-breaking, and more. He then goes on to show us lots of cool new biome features such as surface-caverns, rivers, larger biomes, etc.

Last but not least he shows new combat mechanics. Everything from double-tapping forward for sprint, holding right mouse button to charge your bow, jumping and hitting an enemy on your way down makes a sparkling animation and seems to do more damage, creepers have a new explosion animation, and mobs now drop “experience orbs” when they die. You pick these up but he does say that they’re not entirely sure what to do with them just yet.

Also, probably the biggest news in the video came at the last few seconds. He does say that they’re going to finish up what they have so far and release in “in a couple of weeks” as the 1.8 patch and then add a bit more and release it as the second half of the Adventure Update in 1.9. So the Adventure Update is indeed being split into two separate updates.

Check out the video and watch the goodness.