Voxel Technology
Ongoing coverage on Voxel Technology.
Latest coverage
How voxels enabled a juicy gameplay loop in Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza utilizes destructible voxel environments to create a unique gameplay loop that blends combat and exploration. This technology, also seen in Super Mario Odyssey, allows for "chains of destruction" where combat actions directly impact the environment, revealing secrets and enabling further progression. Developers Kenta Motokura and Tatsuya Kurihara presented how this approach offers players more opportunities and enhances the game's design.
'It Is Getting Very Hard to Keep Players From Going All Over the Place' — Yes, the Donkey Kong Bananza Devs Are Watching Your Speedruns - IGN
Donkey Kong Bananza developers Kenta Motokura and Tatsuya Kurihara are closely watching player speedruns and unintended tricks, finding it increasingly difficult to prevent players from exploring all areas. While they design for player freedom, they also acknowledge and sometimes even appreciate the creative sequence breaks and movement techniques discovered by the community.
Donkey Kong Bananza Developers on Voxels, Sandboxes, and a Delicious Bacon Burger Prototype - IGN
Donkey Kong Bananza developers Kenta Motokura and Tatsuya Kurihara discuss the game's voxel technology, sandbox research, and the evolution of its destructive gameplay mechanics. They also touch upon early prototypes, including a bacon burger concept, and the challenges of designing destructible environments for the Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong Bananza Began As A Goomba With Giant Fists
Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza originated from a prototype inspired by Super Mario Odyssey's destructible environments. Initially, the prototype featured a Goomba with giant fists, testing the core mechanic of smashing through terrain. The game utilizes voxel technology to create highly destructible environments, with nearly everything in the game being breakable.
'It Is More Fun to Destroy That Which Is Beautiful' – Nintendo Crammed More Than 340 Million Voxels Into Just One of Donkey Kong Bananza's Layers - IGN
Nintendo developers discussed the voxel technology used in Donkey Kong Bananza, revealing that one layer alone contained over 347 million voxels. The team detailed how this technology, an evolution from Super Mario Odyssey, enabled destructible environments and contributed to the game's 60fps performance on the Switch 2.
