Reforj developer 4J Studios unveils Rixels: modified pixels that reduce texture memory requirements by 98%
The studio behind Reforj, 4J Studios, has introduced a new technology called Rixels. These modified pixels use vector shapes to deliver textures with 98% lower memory requirements than traditional pixel grids. The Dundee-based developer has already applied for a patent on the innovation.
Rixels, short for Reforj Pixels, are modified pixels that each contain a vector shape. Because they rely on vector graphics, images built from mathematical formulas retain their sharpness regardless of render size.
Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, explained that the technology was developed to solve texture size limitations. "We were using 512x512 normal textures... but as [the game] got bigger and bigger and bigger, we realised that we were going to run ourselves into a wall with space," he told GamesIndustry.biz.
CTO Richard Reavy designed the solution: instead of a 512x512 pixel grid requiring 4MB of memory, the same visual area is now rendered using a 20x20 square grid with vector shapes. This reduces memory usage to just 72KB—a reduction of over 98%.
"Now, when you zoom in, it doesn't get fuzzy anymore," says van der Kuyl. "You start to see these beautiful little vector shapes that exist at perfect resolution. There's not a game in the world that does this at the moment other than Reforj."
Rixels are integrated into 4J's proprietary Elements Engine, which was built to allow the studio to create its own sandbox games after years of porting Minecraft to consoles and handhelds. The memory savings help avoid performance dips common in voxel-based games, enabling persistent 60 frames per second.
Regarding potential licensing, van der Kuyl expressed interest in exploring applications across different mediums. "Because we genuinely have invented something brand new... if someone came to us and said, 'Wow, we could use this in a graphic design tool', we'd love to license it," he noted.
Флешка
