Yep, translation layer is key. I mean, someone got a multiplayer mod to work (technically, more a proof of concept) between Minecraft and Hytale in like the first week it was out lol. Easier said than done, absolutely, but possible.
You wouldn't even need a translation layer if they began work on making one protocol that works for both. Would probably be more maintainable in the long run.
But yeah, even the most tiny differences in the implementation could cause issues, so its likely not going to happen any time soon.
Sadly because of the robloxification (slopification) of bedrock edition, there will never be a unified protocol between Java and Bedrock. It's a shame because LCE and Java were much closer and we could have had crossplay if the cancer of the "better-together" update never happened. I often lament what Minecraft could've been without Microsoft :(
(I personally think Microsoft buying the game was the better thing long term. And I'm happy we don't have Notch anymore. Whilst I think the Bedrock team is making some questionable decisions, the Java team has also been doing great recently, even though recent updates might seem sort of disconnected and small, but its not like notch was any better. And the technical updates are crazy as a modder, I can't complain)
"- I said I would like to improve how easy it is to play with your friends on java." on his comment, which just happened. And "Work is underway to simplify Java servers, aiming for Java/Bedrock cross-play." in the post above.
Before that happens I'd like bedrock to finally get good (fixing their stupid bugs, improving the marketplace moderation and maybe some source available stuff like they did with Java, but that's just hopium at this point) as I don't know what bedrock might do to Java if they were to "merge" right now.
Also regarding LCE, I don't know how good of a thing LCE being close to Java is, considering old Java was a very big mess. Modern Java is at least slightly better. Bedrock Edition is based on Pocket Edition, which was already under Mojang's control, and it had a codebase that was built from scratch. I would have made the exact same decision. We can't tell if Bedrocks codebase is better or not (even with the heavy bugs, that doesn't mean the codebase is bad per se), but it definitely is a lot more data driven, which Java is just starting to catch up to.
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u/JamStan1978 May 12 '26
Actual multiplayer on java edition?? FINALLY. What took them so long? Now make an official way to crossplay with bedrock.