The gaming world was shocked when Hytale, the highly anticipated Minecraft-inspired survival game, was officially cancelled after 10 years of development, with Hypixel Studios shutting down. But in a dramatic turn of events, Hytale’s co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme has offered to invest $25 million of his own money to save the project from complete abandonment.
This unprecedented move highlights the passion and belief that still exists for a game that captured millions of hearts with its ambitious vision and stunning announcement trailer.
Table of Contents
Minecraft: The Rise and Fall of Hytale
From Promise to Heartbreak
Hytale was originally planned for release on Windows and macOS, featuring a fantasy world composed of procedurally-generated blocks arranged in a three-dimensional grid, with different biomes, creatures, and dungeons. The game’s 2018 announcement trailer garnered over 61 million views, creating massive anticipation in the gaming community.
However, Riot acquired Hypixel Studios in 2020, but the anticipated sandbox RPG never materialized. After years of development challenges and shifting ambitions, the dream finally came to an end in June 2025.
Simon’s Bold Rescue Plan
The $25 Million Commitment
Simon Collins-Laflamme says he’d “put 25 millions USD by myself to finish Hytale, that’s how much I believe in it,” seemingly suggesting a buy-back from Riot. His approach would be radically different from the corporate development model:
“No kickstarter, just raw passion, high pressure and high risk taking. Reduce scope: legacy engine, pc only first, open source some parts, small team, cut unfinished features to accelerate towards beta. Get players in ASAP to support development.”
The Founder’s Vision
| Aspect | Corporate Approach | Simon’s Proposed Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Investor-dependent | $25M personal investment |
| Scope | Ambitious, broad | Reduced, focused |
| Platform | Multi-platform | PC-first strategy |
| Development | Large team | Small, efficient team |
| Timeline | Extended development | Accelerated beta release |
Understanding the Stakes
Financial Reality Check
Simon previously revealed he was “burning” up to $400,000 a month on development at one point, which puts his $25 million offer into perspective. This represents roughly 5 years of previous development costs, suggesting a realistic timeline for his scaled-back vision.
The founder’s willingness to risk such a substantial personal investment demonstrates unwavering belief in Hytale’s potential, even after its corporate cancellation.
Industry Impact
This situation represents more than just one cancelled game—it highlights the tension between creative vision and corporate expectations in modern game development. Simon’s offer exemplifies the indie spirit that originally drove many successful gaming projects.
What This Means for Players
Hope for Revival
While Simon’s offer faces significant legal and practical hurdles, it provides hope for the millions of players who believed in Hytale’s vision. His streamlined approach could potentially deliver a playable experience faster than the original ambitious timeline.
Lessons for the Industry
This scenario demonstrates how passionate creators can clash with corporate structures. It also shows that sometimes stepping back and reducing scope might be the key to actually shipping a product that players can enjoy.
The Road Ahead
Challenges to Overcome
The biggest obstacle remains Riot Games’ ownership of the Hytale intellectual property. Any deal would require complex negotiations and legal agreements that could take months or years to resolve.
Additionally, rebuilding a development team and maintaining community enthusiasm after such a public cancellation presents significant challenges.
Community Response
The gaming community has rallied around Simon’s offer, with many expressing support for his vision of a more focused, player-centric development approach. Even Stardew Valley’s ConcernedApe has reportedly expressed interest in potentially helping, though he’d need to understand “why it failed” first.
Simon’s $25 million gamble represents more than just financial commitment—it’s a statement about believing in your vision even when others have given up. Whether this rescue attempt succeeds or not, it’s already become a powerful story about passion, persistence, and the indie spirit in gaming.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Simon Collins-Laflamme’s $25 million offer realistic?
A: Given that Simon has an estimated net worth exceeding $50 million from his Hypixel server success, the financial commitment is feasible. However, the main challenge lies in negotiating IP rights from Riot Games and rebuilding the development infrastructure.
Q: What would a Simon-led Hytale look like compared to the original vision?
A: Simon’s approach would focus on a reduced scope with PC-first release, smaller development team, and faster beta access for players. This contrasts with the original ambitious multi-platform vision that ultimately led to development challenges and cancellation.
