Vibrant Visuals

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This article describes content that may be included in Bedrock Edition.

This content has appeared in Bedrock Edition development versions, but the full update containing it has not been released yet.
Despite a full version being released since its addition, this feature is only accessible in development versions of the game.

This article describes a feature planned for Java Edition.

It has not appeared in any development versions yet, but is planned to be included in a future update.

Vibrant Visuals^[1] is a new graphics mode first announced at Minecraft Live - March 2025 adding directional light and pixel-aligned shadows. It is planned to be added to Bedrock Edition via Deferred Rendering Pipeline^[2] in the next few months, with Java Edition support afterwards. They will be implemented as a local setting, meaning it will be an option in a player's settings, rather than the edit world settings.^[3]

Gameplay

Vibrant Visuals only affects the graphical appearance of Minecraft; it has no effect on gameplay.

Features

Water shaders

Reflections on the surface of water are added with Vibrant Visuals.

Specular highlights

Block textures now feature an additional layer, allowing for variance in how reflective each pixel of the texture is which adds more depth to flat blocks.

Emissive textures

Blocks and entities such as spiders and sculk are now emissive, meaning they produce their own glow even when in a dark environment.

Directional lighting and shadows

Shadows are cast by the sun, causing more realistic lighting according to the time of day. Unlike shadows in most shaders, shadows will be pixelated to match the resolution of other textures. Light will also shine through glass panes and any other supported transparent block, making builds look and feel more interesting and alive.

Applying

Vibrant Visuals can be applied in the game settings, not a world's settings. If playing multiplayer, not everyone needs to have it activated to play in the world; one player could have it activated, whilst 3 other players couldn't.

Video

A video displaying various aspects of the upcoming Vibrant Visuals.

Gallery

Zuri on the coast of a jungle biome at sunset with Vibrant Visuals on.
A forest biome with Vibrant Visuals on.
A comparison of the default and Vibrant Visuals textures, in a cherry grove biome.
A comparison of the default and Vibrant Visuals textures, outside a Woodland Mansion.
A comparison of the default and Vibrant Visuals textures, in a frozen ocean.
A desert village with Vibrant Visuals on.
A copper boat sailing through a jungle river with Vibrant Visuals on.
A frozen ocean at sunset with Vibrant Visuals on.
A lake in a badlands biome with Vibrant Visuals on.
A plains biome at sunrise, with a mountain in the background with Vibrant Visuals on.
A plains village at sunrise with Vibrant Visuals on.