Luanti 5.15.0: The Rendering Revolution — 10x Performance and Mobile Shadows

The transition from Minetest to Luanti was never just about a name change; it was a declaration of independence. For years, the project lived in the shadow of its voxel predecessors, but with the official launch of Luanti 5.15.0 on January 24, 2026, the engine has officially entered its "High Performance" era. This update is a technical masterclass, focusing on modern rendering pipelines and bringing high-end desktop features to the palm of your hand.

Building on the momentum of the 2025 rebrand, Luanti 5.15.0 prioritizes engine efficiency over everything else. By moving to modern Array Textures and a mandatory SDL implementation, Luanti has solidified its reputation as the most efficient open-source voxel engine in existence—capable of running at speeds that put modern AAA titles to shame.

The 10x FPS Boost: Array Textures and OpenGL 3.2

The headline achievement of 5.15.0 is the introduction of Array Textures. By modernizing how the GPU handles voxel data, players on compatible hardware (OpenGL 3.2+ or ES 3.0) can see performance gains of up to 10x in certain scenarios. This rendering cleanup effectively solves the "texture bleeding" issues of the past while significantly reducing the CPU overhead required to draw massive viewing distances.

How to Check Your Boost

To see if your system is utilizing the new pipeline, players can check the "About" tab in the main menu. If your renderer displays "opengl3" or "ES 3," you are officially running on the modernized engine. This shift paves the way for even more ambitious graphical features, such as improved volumetric lighting, later in 2026.

Android Parity: Dynamic Shadows in Your Pocket

For the first time in the engine's history, Dynamic Shadows are now officially supported on Android. Porting these complex shaders to OpenGL ES was a massive community effort, and the results are stunning. If your mobile device supports OpenGL ES 3.2, you can now experience real-time shadows, liquid reflections, and translucent foliage on the go.

This closes the visual gap between desktop and mobile play, making Luanti one of the few voxel engines that offers a "no-compromise" experience on handheld hardware. The update also includes a grid-style touch menu and improved GUI scaling, ensuring that the interface feels native to mobile screens.

Windows Overhaul: The New Self-Extracting Installer

Windows users will notice a major change in how the game is distributed. Luanti has officially retired the old WiX installer in favor of a Self-Extracting Launcher. This change is designed to simplify the "portable vs. installed" confusion that has plagued the community for years.

• User Data Separation: The new installer automatically places user data (mods, worlds, and settings) into the %APPDATA%/Minetest directory. This ensures your progress is saved even if you update or move the core engine files.
• No More Admin Rights: The new launcher does not require administrator privileges to run, making it easier to install on restricted systems or shared family computers.
• One-Click Migration: The "About" tab now features an "Open User Data Directory" button, allowing players to quickly find and backup their worlds.

UI and Quality of Life: Dark Mode and Keybinding

Luanti 5.15.0 isn't just about speed; it's about comfort. The main menu has received a significant polish, including the long-awaited Native Dark Theme (configurable via the `menu_theme` setting).

Custom Input and Navigation

Power users can now bind multiple keys to a single action, allowing for complex control schemes and better accessibility for specialized peripherals like the PS5 DualSense controller. Keyboard navigation has also been improved with clear GUI focus outlines, making it possible to navigate every menu without ever touching a mouse.

Conclusion: A Platform Reborn

Luanti 5.15.0 cements the engine's status as a standalone powerhouse. By shedding the "Minecraft clone" label and focusing on high-performance C++ and Lua architecture, the project has created a space where creators can build almost anything—from cyberpunk platformers to deep survival simulations.

As we move through 2026, Luanti proves that the most powerful tools are the ones built by the community. It’s time to stop calling it "Minetest" and start realizing what the Luanti engine is truly capable of.

Are you getting that 10x FPS boost on your rig, or are you just excited to see dynamic shadows on your phone? Let us know in the comments below!