In an unprecedented twist, Hytale—the ambitious Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG—has been resurrected just five months after its shocking cancellation. After Riot Games shut down development on June 23, 2025, Hypixel Studios founder Simon Collins-Laflamme announced on November 17 that they’ve repurchased 100% of Hytale and secured 10 years of independent funding. Early access is coming soon!
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Minecraft : The Resurrection Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Cancellation | June 23, 2025 by Riot Games |
| Revival Announcement | November 17, 2025 |
| Ownership | 100% owned by Hypixel Studios (independent) |
| Funding Secured | 10-year personal commitment from founders |
| Team Size | 30 returning developers rehired |
| Early Access | Release date announcement coming “in days” |
What Changed Everything
When the community’s passionate reaction to cancellation became clear, co-founders Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette knew they had to act. Despite leaving Hytale in 2020, their love for the project and community never faded. They partnered with technical lead Kevin Carstens and management lead Patrick Derbic to make the impossible happen.
The team made a crucial strategic decision: abandoning the problematic Cross-platform Engine (which would’ve needed two more years) and reverting to the four-year-old Legacy Engine that’s playable now. This means fans will actually get their hands on Hytale soon instead of waiting indefinitely.
What Early Access Includes
Hytale’s early access will feature Exploration Mode, Creative Mode, and full Modding support at launch. Players can run their own servers and create custom content from day one—a massive win for the community-focused vision.
However, temper expectations appropriately. The team is transparent that early access means bugs, rough edges, unbalanced content, and frequent updates that might break things. With over 100 NPCs and thousands of items already in the build, there’s substance—but many elements aren’t fully configured yet.
Minigames and Adventure Mode won’t arrive at launch but will follow later once core systems stabilize. The team expects early access to last at least a few years with no rush toward version 1.0, prioritizing quality over speed.
Why This Matters for Gaming
This represents one of gaming’s rarest comebacks—a cancelled AAA project resurrected through pure founder passion and community support. Hypixel Studios shifted from building a perfect engine to simply creating a good game that players can actually experience, a philosophy that could influence how other ambitious indie projects approach development.
The focus on modding, server customization, and community feedback from day one sets Hytale apart from typical early access launches. For players interested in similar sandbox experiences, check our Minecraft alternatives guide for more open-world creativity.
Looking Ahead
PC will be the initial platform, with console versions arriving “much later” once the game matures. The transparent development approach—including patch notes and regular updates—ensures the community builds Hytale alongside the developers.
For official announcements and gameplay footage, visit the Hytale website. Stay updated on pricing, exact release dates, and feature rollouts by following TechnoSports for comprehensive gaming coverage.
After years of delays and a devastating cancellation, Hytale finally has genuine momentum. The wait continues, but now there’s actually light at the end of the tunnel.
FAQs
Will my old Hytale account or reservations still work?
Yes! The team confirmed that the launcher, website, authentication, accounts, payments system, and name reservation features are all ready or nearly ready. Any previous account registrations should transfer seamlessly to the revived project.
Is this the same Hytale that was originally shown in trailers?
Essentially, yes. By reverting to the Legacy Engine used in the original 2018 trailer footage, the team is delivering a version closer to what fans originally fell in love with—minus the years spent rebuilding on the Cross-platform Engine that never achieved the same gameplay depth.
