Minecraft system requirements raised for the first time in 17 years — Microsoft now recommends 16GB of RAM and a 2020s or newer CPU to run the Java Edition

Microsoft has raised Minecraft: Java Edition’s minimum and recommended PC specs for the first time in 17 years.

The new recommendations call for much newer CPUs and up to 16GB of RAM, which may affect players on older PCs.

Microsoft says the update is meant to keep the game running smoothly now and prepare for future changes.

The move also points to a possible shift away from OpenGL toward Vulkan, with more graphics and performance changes ahead.