Hytale’s Resurgence: A Journey from Unplayable to Anticipated
Hytale, the blocky sandbox RPG that has captured the imagination of gamers, is currently undergoing a significant transformation aimed at making it fully playable. This endeavor stands as a testament to resilience in the gaming industry, particularly for Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-director of Hytale and founder of Hypixel. Recently, he shared insights on Twitter about the extensive work being undertaken to breathe new life into the game.
Reflecting on the challenges faced, Collins-Laflamme remarked, “It’s a damn miracle we were able to salvage Hytale.” He candidly described the initial state of the game, stating, “It was barely playable. All basics were broken. Camera, movement, combat, crafting, building, gameloop, sounds, rendering. Everything, everything was wrong.” This stark assessment underscores the monumental task that lay ahead.
As the team delved deeper into development, Collins-Laflamme emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. “You lose momentum, iteration, and player feedback,” he noted, highlighting the need to prioritize gameplay and rebuild trust with the community. The team has made remarkable progress, achieving in mere weeks what would typically require months or even years. “It should have taken years to fix, but within weeks, we got the game into a playable, fun state,” he stated, reflecting on their rapid advancements.
Following Riot Games’ decision to cancel work on Hytale in the summer of 2025, Collins-Laflamme announced in November that he had reacquired the game. Hypixel plans to release Hytale in early access on January 13, 2026. In his announcement, he outlined a straightforward strategy for the upcoming release: “No meetings, trust the team, push to main and pray.” This approach emphasizes a solid vision without the distraction of prototypes, acknowledging that some corners may need to be cut, with plans to address technical debt later.
As anticipation builds for Hytale’s release, Collins-Laflamme has expressed admiration for Minecraft, calling it “one of the greatest” games of all time. However, he also noted that Hytale is charting its own course, with crafting mechanics that draw inspiration from Terraria, promising a unique experience for players. The gaming community eagerly awaits the opportunity to explore this innovative sandbox world.
