‘Minecraft’-Like RPG ‘Hytale’ Launches This Week — Here’s When You Can Play

Emerging from the vibrant world of a Minecraft custom server, the survival crafting RPG Hytale was first unveiled in 2018. Since then, its journey has been marked by uncertainty, but the long-awaited moment is finally approaching as Hytale gears up for its Early Access launch. Whether you are a long-time follower or just discovering this gem, Hytale is poised to be one of the most exciting indie releases of the year. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect from Hytale, including its launch details.

Why Is Hytale’s Launch Such A Big Deal?

The road to Hytale has been anything but smooth. The developers, who previously ran a popular Minecraft server known for its minigames, established Hypixel Studios to create their own game in a similar voxel style. Following their acquisition by Riot Games, funding was secured for the project until 2025, at which point Riot announced the cancellation of the game and the dissolution of Hypixel. This led to speculation about the potential revival of the project by its original founders, which seemed unlikely until November, when they revealed that they had successfully repurchased the game from Riot and resumed development.

Throughout its tumultuous journey, Hytale has captured the imagination of players, particularly those who were part of the Hypixel Minecraft community. The game’s ambitious integration of RPG mechanics alongside its survival crafting elements has only fueled excitement. A recent reveal video showcased promising advancements, further intensifying the anticipation. On the eve of Hytale’s launch, Hypixel founder Simon Collins-Laflamme shared that pre-sales alone have funded the next two years of development.

When Is the Hytale Release Date and Time?

Hytale is scheduled for launch on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The game will unlock worldwide simultaneously, rather than at staggered times across different time zones. Here’s the breakdown of when it will be available:

• North America West Coast: 7 am PST
• North America East Coast: 10 am EST
• U.K.: 3 pm GMT
• Central Europe: 4 pm CET
• Japan: Midnight on January 14
• Australia: 2 am AEDT on January 14

Can you Preload Hytale?

While preloading Hytale is not an option, there is a crucial step to take ahead of the launch. Anticipating a surge of over one million players on launch day, Collins-Laflamme advises everyone to download the launcher in advance to avoid potential delays. Regardless of whether Hytale reaches this ambitious target, securing the launcher from the official website is a prudent move.

Are There Any Hytale Preorder Bonuses?

While there are no traditional preorder bonuses, purchasing Hytale during Early Access does unlock some enticing rewards. The standard edition grants players three in-game cosmetic sets and an exclusive cape for early supporters. For those opting for the supporter tier, additional perks include three more armor sets and a pair of goggles. The Cursebreaker set offers even more, with four additional cosmetic outfits and further capes. Although an end date for Hytale Early Access has yet to be announced, players who buy the game before its official 1.0 launch will receive all rewards associated with their chosen tier.

Hytale launches on PC on January 13.