Mojang Studios have announced a visual upgrade for Minecraft (PC, Xbox One, PS4, every conceivable platform in the world). On March 22 at Minecraft Live, they explained their vision for the game, the Vibrant Visuals, and showcased the new graphics in a video.
Here’s the situation with the graphics in Minecraft: The graphics of Minecraft have remained largely unchanged since its Early Access launch in 2009. Before the release of the Java Edition in November 2011, there were some improvements.
Many players use their own shaders or textures to beautify the game. There is an active community around this.
But now Mojang is starting an offensive to improve the graphics without changing the gameplay. The project, which will unfold in several phases, is called “Vibrant Visuals.”
Here you can see the new graphics for Minecraft:
“A new look that stays true to the creative principles”
This is the idea behind Vibrant Visuals: In a video lasting about four and a half minutes, two developers introduce the first changes: Jasper Boerstra (Art Director) and Jens Bergensten (Chief Creative Officer).
While Mojang wants to introduce a new look for Minecraft, they also want to stay true to the creative principles they follow:
- Players will now be able to see sunlight streaming through forests or peeking behind mountains – the lighting looks much better now.
- Eyes will now shine, such as with spiders.
- Water, shadows, and deep caves have been given visual upgrades.
Everyone should be able to decide whether to use the improved graphics
This is how it will work: The idea is that players can decide for themselves whether to activate “Vibrant Visuals” as a setting. However, you can also play with players who prefer the old look.
The developers say it will be possible to enter old worlds, activate the new graphics, and view the world in its new form.
When is this expected to happen? The developers are still vague about a specific update for visual improvements. They emphasize that Vibrant Visuals is meant to be the first step on a longer journey.
The improvement is announced for a period “in the coming months.” However, the improvement will not immediately come to the Java version but first is a Bedrock update.
Minecraft players react positively to the announcement of the new graphics
What is the reaction? The video showcasing the change has been well received. Especially the new lighting effects and shadows are praised.
One user on YouTube even cheers: “Minecraft 2 is finally here.”
Another user comments: “This looks absolutely amazing. I don’t want to belittle the shader community, but this is my new favorite. Everything looks fantastic.”
On reddit, a user explains: For hardcore players who already use mods, such an upgrade is one thing. But for the many players who play without mods and “vanilla,” such an upgrade is even more important.
Doubts about when the new graphics will come to Minecraft
Are there also critical comments? One player quips: “At the pace they are releasing updates, we should expect the update in 2028.”
Optimists believe, however, that the update could be expected as early as May 2025.
We will likely have to wait longer than 2028 for an actual Minecraft 2, even though there have been some casually thrown out announcements: Notch announces Minecraft 2 and everyone wonders if it will ever happen
