4J Studios has revealed a major visual overhaul for its upcoming sandbox survival title Reforj, introducing new graphics technology called Rixels. According to PCGamesN, Rixels are intended to retain definition and high resolution even when viewed up close.
Here’s the context: 4J Studios is the team that ported Minecraft, among other games, to consoles. Reforj shares some of Minecraft’s DNA, including vibrant colors and an emphasis on exploration and building, but 4J has been working to give the game a distinct visual identity.
Rixels are part of what 4J describes as a large-scale visual overhaul. Co-Founder and Chairman Chris van der Kuyl linked the decision to the studio’s focus on making every part of the game perform as well as possible and on the experience delivered by the Element Engine. That reassessment led to Rixels, which the studio presents as new visual technology for Reforj.
Chief Technology Officer Richard Reavy described Rixels as being stored in textures much like pixels, with additional information identifying the shape at each pixel location. The approach expands on the idea of a voxel, normally a cube, by allowing different shapes to fit within a cube. Reavy characterized Rixels as a two-dimensional equivalent of those sculpted voxel sub-shapes.
The change required a complete ground-up rework for the game. Community Manager Callum Hurley said the result makes the world more visually striking and unmistakably Reforj. PCGamesN’s comparison of older footage with the updated version also described the newer Reforj as brighter and more vibrant, while retaining a cubic voxel feel with a smoother overall appearance.
For games seeking a visual identity beyond familiar blocky or cartoon-style aesthetics, the overhaul is central to Reforj’s presentation. Van der Kuyl described Rixels as more than graphics technology and as a milestone in the game’s development.
What to watch: Reforj has a Steam page where players can wishlist the game.
