What Oculus works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Forge, NeoForge |
| Minecraft versions | 1.16.5, 1.18.2, 1.19, 1.19.1, 1.19.2, 1.19.4, 1.20, 1.20.1 |
| Environment | Client |
Oculus adds Iris-style shader support to Minecraft Forge and NeoForge, letting Forge-based modpacks run OptiFine and Iris format shader packs without OptiFine installed. It is a client-side mod built by Asek3, the same developer behind Iris, and it requires Rubidium to run. Every current build tops out at Minecraft 1.20.1, so Oculus is the shader option for older Forge and NeoForge modpacks, not the newest year.drop releases.
Oculus and Iris run the same shader pipeline on different loaders
Oculus started as a direct fork of Iris, the shader-loading mod for Fabric and Quilt, rebuilt to work with Forge Mod Loader. Both mods share the same rendering pipeline and load the same OptiFine and Iris format shader packs, so a pack that runs on Iris generally runs on Oculus too. The choice comes down to loader: Iris on Fabric or Quilt, Oculus on Forge or NeoForge.
Installing Oculus with Rubidium
Oculus will not load on its own. It depends on Rubidium, Asek3's Forge port of the Sodium rendering optimizer, and both mods need to match the same Minecraft version and loader.
- 1.Install Forge or NeoForge for a supported Minecraft version, 1.20.1 or earlier.
- 2.Download Rubidium for that same version and loader.
- 3.Download Oculus for the same version and loader.
- 4.Drop both jar files into the mods folder and launch the game.
- 5.Add a shader pack from Video Settings > Shaders in the in-game menu.
Supported Minecraft versions and the Forge ceiling
Forge and NeoForge builds of Oculus both cap out at Minecraft 1.20.1, build 1.20.1-1.8.0, last published in December 2024. Rubidium has not shipped a newer build either. That leaves Oculus as a solid pick for modpacks staying on 1.20.1 Forge or NeoForge, but it is not an option for anyone running Minecraft's current year.drop releases, and there is no sign of an update path to them.
Known issues and limitations
- No builds past Minecraft 1.20.1 on Forge or NeoForge, and none since December 2024.
- Requires Rubidium as a hard dependency; Oculus alone will not run.
- Not compatible with OptiFine installed in the same instance.
- Client-side only, so it has no effect on a dedicated server.
Installing Oculus and Rubidium for shaders on Forge 1.20.1
Questions about Oculus.
5 questions
Does Oculus work with Forge?
Yes. Oculus is built specifically for Forge Mod Loader and NeoForge, and it requires Rubidium installed in the same mods folder. Together they bring the same shader pipeline as Iris to Forge-based modpacks.
Which Minecraft version does Oculus support?
Every Oculus release for Forge and NeoForge tops out at Minecraft 1.20.1. The last build was published in December 2024, so newer Minecraft releases are not supported and there is no announced update path to them.
Is Oculus the same as Iris?
Oculus is an unofficial fork of Iris made by the same developer, rebuilt to run on Forge instead of Fabric. Both use the same shader pipeline and shader pack format, so pick Iris on Fabric or Quilt and Oculus on Forge or NeoForge.
Does Oculus need Rubidium?
Yes. Rubidium, Asek3's Forge port of the Sodium rendering optimizer, is a required dependency. Oculus will not load without it installed alongside it.
Can I use Oculus with OptiFine?
No. Oculus replaces OptiFine's shader handling entirely and is not built to run alongside it. Use Oculus with Rubidium instead of OptiFine on Forge and NeoForge.
