4J Studios, the independent Scottish game developer behind Minecraft’s Console Editions, has created a new graphics technology that potentially solves an age-old issue for game developers and makes its player-facing debut in the Rixel Update for its pre-alpha title, Reforj.
While continuing to update Reforj with a host of new features like Circuits and Maglevs, the team at 4J have also been working to develop the art style of the title. “We had a strong vision for the visual style of this game”, said art director David Keningale, in a press release, “and we have been working with our community of Pioneers as well as the whole 4J team to bring that vision to reality. Rixels, and our whole new look and feel, is the latest outcome of that process”.
Rixel’s technology saves over 98% of texture storage, aiming to give developers more capacity and allow the game to achieve its unique look without crippling storage requirements. To realize 4J’s artistic vision Reforj’s initial textures were 512 x 512, adding up to 4MB per material; now, the “Rixelised” textures are typically 20 x 20 and only take up 72KB per material, saving over 98% of texture memory.
“The first-generation faceted graphics looked great, but achieving this look in a sustainable way remained a challenge for the team” added Kenningale, in the same press release. “The Elements Engine team had a breakthrough moment when they combined vector graphics shapes with more traditional bitmap technology, based on the 2D versions of the 3D Elements shapes, using them as pixels to build every composition. This combination of vector shapes in a pixel grid is what are now called Rixels!”
Rixels also allows textures to maintain their sharpness while up close and personal. No matter how near the in-game camera is to a 3D Element, the texture shouldn’t ever blur, giving Reforj a clearer look.
According to the press release, “4J Studios are committed to making Reforj a high-quality experience for all players, both now and further down the road. The advances in graphics technology for this update demonstrate this once again. Reforj runs at a consistently fast frame rate – destroying the entire world with Boomblocks, gliding through mountains, or encountering swarms of Scavengers – Reforj will always perform for every player, in any situation. The introduction of Rixels to Reforj is part of a technology roadmap that constantly aims to improve performance throughout the game.”
“Rixels have helped us develop a unique visual style with our textures that is in keeping with the unique geometry of our world. We have a very crisp and clean look while using a fraction of our previous storage requirements,” said Richard Reavy, CTO at 4J Studios, in the press release.
The Rixel Update is available on the Xbox Insider Program for Xbox Series X|S consoles and is free to play.