Hytale's Epic Comeback: Saved From Cancellation, Early Access Imminent

The Unbelievable Resurrection of Hytale

In the dramatic world of gaming, few stories have captivated fans like Hytale's rollercoaster journey. After being shockingly cancelled by Riot Games earlier this year, the ambitious sandbox MMO is now back from the dead – reacquired by its original creators and hurtling toward an early access release that has the gaming community buzzing with excitement.

"We are thrilled to announce that we have acquired Hytale from Riot Games," declared Simon Collins-Laflamme, Hypixel Studios co-founder. "While it didn't make sense for them to continue developing it in its existing form, they ultimately wanted what's best for players."

From Cancellation to Redemption

The saga began in June 2025 when Riot Games abruptly cancelled Hytale, closing the studio after years of development. The move stunned fans who had watched this Minecraft-inspired project evolve since its 2018 reveal. The cancellation stemmed from mounting technical challenges and "mission creep," as the game's ambitious vision expanded beyond feasible development timelines under Riot's stewardship.

Yet, just five months later, Collins-Laflamme orchestrated an astonishing turnaround. Using $25 million of his own fortune – reportedly from the original sale to Riot – he repurchased the entire IP and studio. "I believe in Hytale so much that I'd put down my own money to finish it," he had vowed shortly after the cancellation news broke.

The New Vision: Back to the Roots

Under independent leadership, Hytale is returning to its original design philosophy. Collins-Laflamme and co-founder Philippe Touchette have secured 10 years of personal funding, eliminating investor pressures that plagued the project at Riot. Over 30 veteran developers have been rehired, with more expected to join soon.

"We're going back to the original vision for Hytale," Collins-Laflamme emphasized. The team promises to deliver:

• Exploration and Creative modes at launch
• Robust modding support
• Minigames and Adventure content post-launch

What Players Can Expect

While the development head confirmed the current build is "messy" and "janky," an early access release is imminent. The team plans to release "as soon as possible," with pricing and exact dates coming in the coming days. Crucially, they've committed to an extended early access phase of "at least a few years," prioritizing community feedback over rushed releases.

"It won't be perfect on day one," Collins-Laflamme acknowledged. "My hope is that together, we'll shape it into something truly special." The game will initially launch on PC, with other platforms planned for later.

Industry Impact and Community Hope

This resurrection sends shockwaves through the gaming industry. It demonstrates how passion projects can survive corporate setbacks when returned to visionary creators. The move has earned praise from all corners – even Riot CEO Dylan Jadeja commended the transition: "While this means Hytale's journey will continue outside of Riot, we're hopeful this transition provides a way for the passionate community to experience the great work that was done."

For players who've waited years, this is more than a game revival – it's validation. As Collins-Laflamme put it: "We're focused on building the game we always wanted to play, and one that we'd be proud for our kids to play, too."

The Road Ahead

With development restarted and the original vision restored, Hytale stands poised to finally deliver on its 2018 promise. The coming months will determine whether this comeback becomes one of gaming's greatest redemption stories. For now, though, the sandbox dream lives on – and millions of builders, adventurers, and modders are ready to return to the Procedurally Generated World of Orbis.