Minecraft players got a great surprise at the end of March when the Vibrant Visuals update was announced at Minecraft LIVE. Last year, Minecraft changed its approach to extra content. Instead of opting for one big content dump during the summer, developer Mojang has pivoted to smaller, more frequent updates that have been well-received by a lot of fans.
As the name suggests, Vibrant Visuals is a massive visual overhaul for the game that is currently available in beta for specific Bedrock Editions of Minecraft. From the enhanced lighting to the reflective water, Vibrant Visuals adds a touch of realism to the iconic blocky aesthetic of Minecraft. This upgrade would be exciting enough on its own, but launching the beta version after the release of A Minecraft Movie brings forth Vibrant Visuals at the right time.
A Minecraft Movie's Viral Marketing Has Made the Film Too Interactive
The marketing for A Minecraft Movie turned the movie into more of a meme than a movie, and earned big bucks because of it. But is that a good thing?
Vibrant Visuals Launching Among A Minecraft Movie Hype Makes Its Debut Perfectly Timed
A Minecraft Movie Has Proven to Be a Hit
- A Minecraft Movie made an estimated $163 million domestically during its opening weekend.
- It has already become one of the top five highest-grossing video game movies of all time.
When the first trailer for A Minecraft Movie dropped, the initial reaction was quite skeptical. Despite this reaction, that clearly hasn't deterred people from seeing the movie. A Minecraft Movie has quickly become a massive financial success, as screenings have drawn in gamers from a variety of demographics and age ranges.
A Minecraft Movie blends live-action visuals with an animated world that Minecraft fans will be well-acquainted with, and this special combination makes Vibrant Visuals the perfect update to launch after the movie's premiere. Vibrant Visuals may not be as lifelike as its film adaptation predecessor, but it's an added sense of realism that is bound to be perfect for players who want to recapture that realism-meets-animation feeling.
Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies.
A Minecraft Movie's Success Continues a Legacy of Highs for the Franchise
- Minecraft remains the highest-selling game of all time.
- A Minecraft Movie is bound to draw in new players.
Although many of those who purchased a ticket to A Minecraft Movie are likely longtime fans, there are also probably plenty of viewers who are gamers but have never spent much time with the sandbox title. Since the game fully launched in 2011, Minecraft has continued to be one of the biggest titles in the world, and A Minecraft Movie only further proves its pull on pop culture.
From the enhanced lighting to the reflective water, Vibrant Visuals adds a touch of realism to the iconic blocky aesthetic of Minecraft.
Jack Black takes on the role of Steve in A Minecraft Movie, but there was once a different actor pegged to portray the protagonist. What We Do in the Shadows' Matt Berry was originally cast, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
Vibrant Visuals Continues to Mark an Exciting New Era for Minecraft
Mojang's decision to change its approach to content updates has been a game-changer for a lot of fans. The regular updates have helped keep players excited about the future of Minecraft, and Vibrant Visuals is a small piece of a much larger treasure trove of content that has arrived since that change.
As the year continues, it will be exciting to see what else Minecraft has in store for players, especially since A Minecraft Movie has made it that much more notable. The arrival and impressive success of the movie has given Minecraft the opportunity to grow to even greater heights, and it will be thrilling to see what that entails.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINE
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
