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For fans of Hytale, it has been a rollercoaster few years. The ambitious Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG looked like it might never see the light of day after Riot Games cancelled the project in June. Now, in a dramatic turnaround, Hytale has been saved, revived, and returned to its original creators at Hypixel Studios, with early access officially on the horizon.

Below is everything you need to know about the comeback, the new development plans, and what players can expect next.

What Actually Happened to Hytale?

Hytale began development back in 2015, growing from a community-driven idea into a huge project powered by a passionate fanbase. When Riot Games acquired Hypixel Studios, many believed the game would gain the resources and support it needed to finally launch.

Instead, the opposite happened. After ten years of development challenges, shifting expectations, and internal changes, Riot pulled the plug in June 2025. The studio was shut down, developers were let go, and fans assumed the dream was over.

But behind the scenes, Hypixel co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme wasn’t ready to let Hytale die.

Hypixel Buys Hytale Back From Riot Games

In a surprise announcement, Collins-Laflamme revealed that Hypixel has successfully repurchased 100 percent of Hytale and the studio itself from Riot Games. He and fellow co-founder Philippe Touchette are personally funding the new version of the studio, with a ten-year commitment to keep Hytale alive and growing.

“We are thrilled to announce that we have acquired Hytale from Riot Games,” the team wrote in a new blog post. “While it didn’t make sense for them to continue developing it in its existing form, they ultimately wanted what’s best for players.”

Riot also confirmed the news, saying the transfer gives the community “its best shot” at finally getting a playable version of the game.

Hypixel Rehires 30 Developers and Goes Fully Independent

Hypixel Studios is now fully independent again, and Collins-Laflamme has already rehired more than 30 former Hytale developers, with more expected to return. These are the people who know the game inside and out, which is expected to speed up development significantly.

The new core leadership team includes:

  • Simon Collins-Laflamme, Co-founder
  • Philippe Touchette, Co-founder
  • Kevin Carstens, Technical Lead
  • Patrick Derbic, Management Lead

The revived project is also using its previous in-house engine rather than starting again from scratch, giving the team a major head start.

Hytale Early Access Is Coming Soon

Perhaps the biggest news of all is that early access is imminent. The team says the early access release date and pricing will be revealed in the coming days, and players can expect to jump into the game far sooner than anyone expected.

However, Collins-Laflamme has been very honest about the state of the game.

“Hytale isn’t some polished AAA release waiting in the wings,” he wrote on X. “It’s messy. It’s janky. And there’s a lot of work to be done. My plan is simple, get it out to you as soon as possible. No more waiting.”

The goal is to involve the community deeply from day one. Expect bugs, unbalanced content, and regular updates that might break things, as the developers want Hytale to grow openly with player feedback at the centre.

What Will Be Included at Launch?

The initial early access version of Hytale will include:

  • Exploration Mode
  • Creative Mode
  • Modding support (including custom servers and content)

Content that won’t be available at launch includes:

  • Minigames
  • Adventure Mode

Both will come later, with a dedicated team already planning improvements for the minigame experience.

Platforms and Long-Term Plans

Hytale will launch first on Windows PC, with Hypixel aiming to attempt Linux and Mac support later. Other platforms, including consoles, are planned for “much later” down the line.

Early access is expected to last at least a few years, with absolutely no rush toward a 1.0 release. With the studio now fully independent and powered by a decade-long funding commitment, there’s no external pressure to ship early.

A Rare Feel-Good Story in Today’s Games Industry

In a year dominated by studio closures, layoffs, and cancelled projects, Hytale’s revival feels like a rare win. A cancelled game has been resurrected, dozens of developers have regained their jobs, and a passionate community finally has something to look forward to.

As Collins-Laflamme puts it, “This game has always been close to my heart, and I’m excited to bring it back home.”

For a project once declared dead, Hytale now looks more alive than it has in years. Fans have waited a long time, and soon, they’ll finally get their hands on it.