I... think so? Whichever one works with Microsoft Realms, which is the $2/month solution I settled on after somewhat-getting a self hosted server to run for a little bit on my desktop.
I figured that I make a six-figure salary as a software developer, I can afford $2/month so that I don't have to fucking become a sysadmin for a game server my child depends on.
There are two editions, Java and Bedrock. Java is the original, available on PC and Mac, and supports programming-like technical play and mods. Bedrock is Microsoft’s reimplementation, available on all devices except Mac, and supports emotes and microtransactions. Other than that they’re largely the same game, and buying either gives you both versions. Realms supports both, but a server is one or the other, not both. There are also other managed hosting providers for Minecraft (both versions), but Realms is probably easier and cheaper for you. Java version has performance problems, but mostly because Microsoft’s code is inefficient, there are a few mods (also written in Java) that everybody uses to fix performance without affecting gameplay.
Hey, if we're already complaining about Microsoft products, can someone explain why the Bedrock and Java versions of Minecraft have not been made cross-compatible in the TEN YEARS since the Mojang acquisition?
(... speaking as another dad just trying to play with my kid.)
I’d imagine mostly due to a lack of incentive on microsoft’s part. Like minecraft is literally the biggest video game to ever exist with, making 2 entirely separate code bases work while keeping all the features the same and preserving compatibility with over a decades worth of mods just so the mostly separate java and bedrock communities can play with each other is just not worth the risk. So many people play minecraft in so many different ways means that making even minor changes in gameplay can be huge sources of controversy, let alone major infrastructure changes.
They still exist separately today because the modding scene is completely different for them. Minecraft Java is the original and has a huge modding community based on decompiling and patching the game. Those mods are all incompatible with Bedrock because Bedrock is a separate reimplementation of the game for performance or whatever.
What does cross compatible mean in this context? They are two different games written in two different languages. I mean, they look like they are the same game, but they are not. Making one compatible with the other is a Herculean task. If not impossible.
I'm talking about network compatibility, so that a Bedrock client can join a Java server and vice versa. It's clearly somewhat possible because GeyserMC[1] exists. It's just ridiculous that it's a third-party addon.
