Minecraft’s upcoming Vibrant Visuals update is generating excitement for its enhanced lighting and atmospheric effects, but not everyone in the community is thrilled. While the changes are visually stunning, many players are now voicing concerns that the update could negatively impact performance—especially on older devices.
Mojang’s long-running sandbox hit has sold over 350 million copies and maintains a massive base of more than 170 million monthly active players. Part of that success is due to its ability to run on nearly any system, from high-end gaming rigs to low-spec laptops. That reputation, however, might be challenged by the new graphical enhancements set to arrive with the Chase the Skies update on June 17.
FPS Drops Reported in Preview Builds
The Vibrant Visuals update will revamp Minecraft’s fog, shadows, and lighting to offer a more immersive experience. But in a preview video shared by Mojang, some players noticed frame rate issues. A Reddit user known as Rlrankdle mentioned that using basic lighting elements like torches caused noticeable FPS drops, a sentiment echoed by others in the thread.
Given Minecraft’s popularity among players with low-end hardware, these concerns are valid. One of the game’s biggest draws is its accessibility—something Mojang will need to preserve if they want to keep their entire community engaged.
Fortunately, Mojang has included an option to toggle the updated visuals off. This ensures players who encounter performance issues can revert to the game’s original look without sacrificing gameplay.
Not Just Visuals: What Else Is Coming?
Vibrant Visuals is just one part of the Chase the Skies update. The second major patch of the year, it also introduces several new features:
- Happy Ghast: A new, less terrifying Nether mob.
- Player Locator Bar: Helps players find friends more easily.
- Craftable Saddles: A long-requested feature finally being added.
- Updated Leads: Offering more control over mobs.
- Togglable Features: Many of the changes, including the locator bar, can be turned on or off for personal preference.
However, there is one limitation that’s raised eyebrows—Vibrant Visuals will only be available in the Bedrock edition of Minecraft. Java Edition players won’t be able to access the new graphical enhancements, at least for now.
Final Thoughts
Mojang’s commitment to innovation is clear, and the Chase the Skies update adds meaningful content beyond just eye candy. Still, performance concerns—especially in a game prized for its accessibility—shouldn’t be ignored. Allowing players to toggle off new features is a smart move, but Mojang will need to monitor feedback closely to avoid alienating part of its community.
As always, we’ll continue following Minecraft’s evolution. Stay tuned for our hands-on impressions once Chase the Skies officially launches.
