In a dramatic turnaround that has thrilled gaming communities worldwide, the long-awaited sandbox game Hytale has been officially revived after its developers at Hypixel Studios regained full control from Riot Games.
The Surprising Revival
The gaming world witnessed an unexpected development when Hypixel Studios successfully reacquired Hytale from Riot Games, effectively saving the project from cancellation. This move came after Riot Games had decided to terminate the project and began winding down Hypixel Studios on June 23, 2025, following an extensive decade-long development period.
The revival was triggered by significant community reaction that prompted Hypixel founders Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette to make an offer to repurchase their creation. In a bold move, the team confirmed they completed the acquisition deal without even knowing the full state of the codebase, demonstrating their commitment to the project.
Building an Independent Future
Hytale is now completely independent, operating without any investors or publishers involved in its development. The studio has already taken concrete steps toward rebuilding the game by rehiring over 30 former Hytale developers who had previously worked on the project.
The founders have committed personal funding to support development for the next decade, ensuring the game has financial stability and can grow organically without external pressure. This long-term commitment reflects their dedication to delivering the experience players have been anticipating for years.
Early Access and Community Involvement
Players won't have to wait much longer to get their hands on Hytale. An early access release is expected in November, though the team is being transparent about what to expect. They've advised players to anticipate a raw and unfinished version of the game, including bugs, unbalanced content, and frequent updates that may temporarily break systems.
Simon Collins-Laflamme shared the exciting news on X, stating: "We did it. Hytale is saved. We have acquired Hytale from Riot Games." He emphasized that there will be "no more waiting" and players can experience the game with "rough edges and all."
The development approach will heavily involve the community, with Collins-Laflamme adding: "It won't be perfect on day one. My hope is that together, we'll shape it into something truly special." Hypixel plans to run a multi-year early access cycle where community feedback will directly influence the game's development direction.
The studio is maintaining a deliberately small team structure to ensure fast iteration capabilities, promising frequent updates and transparent patch notes. Their goal is to gradually build the long-promised Hytale experience piece by piece, with the security of knowing they have funding secured for the next ten years of development.
