What's that mean? OpenGL is the graphics library Minecraft uses to render the 3D world. For Minecraft to run a computer must have the required OpenGL driver software, as well as a graphics card/display-adapter with the required hardware OpenGL support.
Currently, Minecraft only requires OpenGL 1.2 which means that any GPU since about 1998 has the required hardware to run MC (Theoretically. In practice, only GPU's made since ~2004 are powerful enough to run it)
Changing the requirements to v2.1 will leave every computer made prior to it's introduction unable to play the game. While the OpenGL 2.1 standard itself was formed in 2006, GPU manufactures did not add support until quite a bit later.
Which models are affected:
The following is valid for Microsoft Windows powered computers. Actual support will vary by driver revision and OS. You can use the System Information tool or the DXDiag tool to see what display adapter you have.
AMD/ATI skipped over v2.1 and did not have support until they added v3.3 (backwards compatible) in mid-2007.
That means you will need at least a Radeon HD 2000-8000 to play.
This excludes the Rage, 3xx, 8xxx, 9xxx, and all X-series cards e.g. x1300 PRO
If you have one of those cards, you will not be able to play
As you can see, this is will affect MANY more people than dropping Java 5 support did. On the bright side, the game should run faster for the rest of us, among other things. Although the rest of us are less likely to need the speed...
Check to be sure you are affected
As the Mojang post states, launch snapshot 13w38b or newer and it will tell you. Or use a program like GLView http://www.realtech-vr.com/glview/download.php for a more detailed analysis.
How to fix the problem
Unfortunately, hardware is usually the limiting factor here. If you have a desktop, your GPU can be upgraded most of the time. Laptops cannot. Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers for you card- sometimes OpenGL support is added in later revisions as with the Geforce 6000 series. If you are knowledgeable in computers, Linux often has better OpenGL support than Windows.
Otherwise, a newer computer is the only option.
You can still run Minecraft, but you will not be able to update past 1.7 or 1.8, depending on when this change goes into affect.
Good luck! I'm sure we'll hear more details as we get closer to the change.
Mojang post here: https://help.mojang.com/customer/portal/articles/1307761-opengl-2-1-support
What's that mean? OpenGL is the graphics library Minecraft uses to render the 3D world. For Minecraft to run a computer must have the required OpenGL driver software, as well as a graphics card/display-adapter with the required hardware OpenGL support.
Currently, Minecraft only requires OpenGL 1.2 which means that any GPU since about 1998 has the required hardware to run MC (Theoretically. In practice, only GPU's made since ~2004 are powerful enough to run it)
Changing the requirements to v2.1 will leave every computer made prior to it's introduction unable to play the game. While the OpenGL 2.1 standard itself was formed in 2006, GPU manufactures did not add support until quite a bit later.
Which models are affected:
The following is valid for Microsoft Windows powered computers. Actual support will vary by driver revision and OS. You can use the System Information tool or the DXDiag tool to see what display adapter you have.
AMD/ATI skipped over v2.1 and did not have support until they added v3.3 (backwards compatible) in mid-2007.
Nvidia added 2.1 support with the Geforce 6000 series roughly introduced in 2004.
Intel rather pathetically added OpenGL 2.1 support in 2008...(Cards denoted (L) have 2.1 support under Linux however)
As you can see, this is will affect MANY more people than dropping Java 5 support did. On the bright side, the game should run faster for the rest of us, among other things. Although the rest of us are less likely to need the speed...
Check to be sure you are affected
As the Mojang post states, launch snapshot 13w38b or newer and it will tell you. Or use a program like GLView http://www.realtech-vr.com/glview/download.php for a more detailed analysis.
How to fix the problem
Unfortunately, hardware is usually the limiting factor here. If you have a desktop, your GPU can be upgraded most of the time. Laptops cannot. Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers for you card- sometimes OpenGL support is added in later revisions as with the Geforce 6000 series. If you are knowledgeable in computers, Linux often has better OpenGL support than Windows.
Otherwise, a newer computer is the only option.
You can still run Minecraft, but you will not be able to update past 1.7 or 1.8, depending on when this change goes into affect.
Good luck! I'm sure we'll hear more details as we get closer to the change.