The debate over which new mobs should be added to Minecraft started earlier this year than usual. But after just a few hours, this one is already starting to feel like a landslide as players (and I) are already sticking with the clear winner.

The annual mob vote will take place next week, and in the finest Minecraft tradition, players can democratically choose the new creatures that will appear in the game in next year's game update, and Mojang announced their choices today via Twitter in an animated introductory video

The game will be released in the next few months.

The Rascal is a resident of the mine, likes to play hide-and-seek, and will give you an enchanted item if you find it three times. Tuff Golem is a small golem that walks around with items and sometimes comes alive. Sniffer is an ancient turtle-like creature that finds plant seeds and brings new (but ancient) plants to the game.

I had assumed that the choices for the mob vote would be announced sometime next week. This pondering period is even larger than in past years, when Mojang announced the three creature selections about five days before the Minecraft Live livestream and announced the winner during the event.

But nine full days is more of a stirring period than a contemplation period. How can this not be a social media bloodbath?

At least Dream (who famously voted for Glowika over Moo Bloom in 2020) may be busy after his face was revealed earlier this week, but other YouTubers and big-name fans are bound to weigh in. Unofficial voting from players has already begun, and unless things change, this could be a landslide vote.

And now I intend to participate in the very campaign I am side-eyeing. Sorry, but statuesque item holders are not as exciting as creepy mine friends or nice plant turtles.

To be extremely fair, I voted for the sniffer.

Minecraft mob voting begins next week on October 14, and the winner will be announced at Minecraft Live on Saturday, October 15.