The author discusses the development of a custom real-time renderer that utilizes small voxels to create a distinctive visual style reminiscent of classic 90’s 3D games. By rendering voxels in a novel way, the visuals are generated from traditional low-poly triangle meshes and textures, resulting in a modernized retro aesthetic. The renderer combines displacement mapping with conventional mesh modeling to add voxel-like surface details to classic game environments. The approach allows for familiar content creation workflows without the need for specialized voxel-editing software. The author details the challenges and custom solutions involved in producing this renderer and hints at future improvements, including integrating smaller objects and dynamic elements into the style.
https://blog.danielschroeder.me/2024/05/voxel-displacement-modernizing-retro-3d/