The development of Godot 4.6 is still underway, but the team has already released three public snapshots showcasing the features that are on the horizon.
While this version continues to focus on stability and refinement, it also introduces noticeable improvements to workflow and performance, along with a significant visual refresh for the editor itself. Let’s take a look at what each snapshot has brought so far.
Snapshot 1: Quality-of-Life Updates and OpenXR Improvements
(read here)
The first snapshot for Godot 4.6 arrived in late September 2025, featuring mostly bug fixes and minor enhancements that lay the foundation for the next stable release.
Still, a few standout additions were included:
- Drag-and-Drop @export Variables - You can now drag objects directly into the script editor to automatically generate exported variables, making property setup faster.
- OpenXR Spatial Entities Extensions - Large-scale XR update that implements support for standardized spatial data, improving interaction with the real-world environment.
- Live Theme Switching - Custom editor themes now update instantly without restarting the editor.
- Better Input Focus Behavior - Mouse and keyboard focus handling were decoupled, giving UI designers more control.
- 2D TileMapLayer Optimization - Reduces unnecessary redraws for better 2D performance.
Snapshot 2: New Tools and 3D Workflow Refinements
(read here)
Released in October 2025, the second snapshot expanded beyond fixes and brought several long-requested features.
- LibGodot (Engine as a Library) - Adds initial support for compiling Godot as a standalone library, opening possibilities for embedding the engine in other applications.
- ObjectDB Profiler - A new debugging tool that captures snapshots of the Object database, helping track memory and reference usage across frames.
- Improved Automatic Mesh LOD - Enhancements to mesh simplification now handle complex geometry better through component pruning.
- 3D Rotation Visualization and Orbit Snapping - The transform gizmo now displays rotation deltas, and a new orbit snapping system allows quick 45° view offsets.
(By passivestar)
- Rendering Adjustment - Glow effects are now blended before tonemapping for improved HDR consistency.
Snapshot 3: Visual Overhaul and Rendering Enhancements
(read here)
In November 2025, the third snapshot arrived with one of the most visible changes since Godot 4.0.
- New Default Theme - The editor now ships with a new default skin based on the popular Minimal Theme by passivestar. It replaces the blue interface with a neutral dark grey look focused on readability and accessibility. The classic blue theme remains available as an option.
The new godot UI theme has been merged and is on its way to be the new default!
— passivestar (@passivestar_) October 30, 2025
I consider godot to be one of the most important software projects of our time and it's a huge privilege to be able to contribute to it. Happy to see it grow ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YeQSmVRU1k
- Condensed Array Inspector Layout - The inspector now displays arrays in a cleaner, minimal layout that saves space.
- Overhauled Screen Space Reflections - SSR was completely rewritten for higher quality and faster performance.
- GLES3 SSAO - Adds Screen Space Ambient Occlusion to the GLES3 renderer.
- Other Improvements - Faster deletion in large scene trees, new Android export tweaks, updated editor font (“Inter”), and glow optimizations for the mobile renderer.
Godot 4.6 doesn’t try to reinvent the engine, but it clearly builds on what developers use every day. Most of the work here goes into refinement: faster editors, cleaner visuals, and better profiling or debugging tools.
You can test all three snapshots directly from the official Godot Engine website. Keep in mind that development builds are pre-release and may contain bugs, so backups and version control are recommended.
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📘 Check out The Godot Shaders Bible, a complete guide to creating and optimizing shaders for 2D and 3D games, from basic functions and screen-space effects to advanced compute techniques. Already being adapted to Godot 4.6!
For extra savings, check out our best-selling Godot Shaders Bundle!
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