Microsoft’s overpowered Xbox One X, formerly known as Project Scorpio, will be setting the bar high with its 4K resolution and 12GB DDR5 RAM, among other specifications. So it’s no surprise that the tech giant is also prepping Minecraft, its staple sandbox video game, to gain some major graphical updates to accommodate.
Enter the Super Duper Graphics Pack DLC, one of the upcoming content releases by Mojang to show off what the new technology can do. Thankfully, the pack will be coming to both Windows 10 and Xbox One, running better on the highest end PCs and Xbox One X above all. While Minecraft isn’t originally the most intensive game, this DLC is intended to push its limits with the highest graphics seen so far only through mods on PC.
Today, Mojang released a sneak peek teaser of the Super Duper Graphics Pack for Minecraft ‘coming this fall’.
As art director Brad Schubert explains in the video, Minecraft has always been known for its unique and playful style. Built as one of the ways to truly express your creativity, texture and skin packs have become the norm for Minecraft fans. So a major upgrade to the graphics to meet the Xbox One X high quality was a task that was taken into careful consideration.
“I feel that Minecraft visuals are timeless and to many are very charming. Because of this we take great care with every pixel and what changes we make. And with the power and technology of the Scorpio, there’s never been a better time for us to do something new.”
The upgraded Super Duper Graphics Pack DLC will enable so much more that Minecraft fans could only get visually through a modded Java Edition. The most significant being the enhanced draw distance, which allows the player to see further of the world on Xbox One X than previous versions.
With specular maps that control how light reflects off the surface to 3D geometry, it’s no doubt that the amount of settings alone will completely change how you view the sandbox universe. Speaking of settings, devs also note that players will have full control of each new video setting regardless of platform with details such as sun angle, light intensity, lens flare control and depth of field.
If you don’t like the look of it, that’s okay too. The updated Minecraft look will be completely optional as a DLC. Currently, we don’t know if Mojang will be providing the content for free or if it will be available for sale around the launch of Xbox One X. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @OnMSFT your thoughts.
