The long-awaited revival of Hytale is finally on the horizon, as Hypixel Studios, the rejuvenated developer behind the project, prepares to launch the sandbox game after its unexpected cancellation by Riot Games last June. In a year marked by challenging news for the gaming industry, the return of Hytale offers a refreshing glimmer of hope. Hypixel, formed by the creators of some of the most popular Minecraft servers, is now committed to building the game in collaboration with its community.
Pricing Strategy and Community Focus
Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-founder of Hypixel Studios, has confirmed that he successfully repurchased the rights to Hytale from Riot and is eager to leverage this momentum. He emphasizes that this endeavor is primarily a passion project, stating, “It’s the least I can do for the community that supported me.” Collins-Laflamme acknowledges the financial risks involved, noting, “I’m not going to recoup what I put into this for a long time, even with all the renewed attention, and that’s fine. Don’t worry about me; let’s take care of the team first.”
The pricing for Hytale has been set at an accessible .99 (USD). In addition, players can opt for a supporter and founders pack, which includes cosmetic items such as capes and hats. The ‘Supporter’ tier will be available for .99, while the ‘Cursebreaker’ founders pack will retail for .99.
“I’m pricing Hytale as aggressively low as possible,” Collins-Laflamme explains. “Taking on considerable personal risk after repurchasing the game and preparing it for early access with a growing team of now 50 talented individuals is a commitment I stand by. The game is unfinished and runs on a build from over four years ago. Charging more didn’t feel right. I want as many players as possible to jump in, especially during these tough economic times.”
Anticipated Release and Community Engagement
As for the release timeline, Collins-Laflamme assures fans that the team is diligently working to finalize the Hytale launch date. “We currently need to run hardware tests, wrap up legal documents, stabilize the game, and address a few security issues,” he notes. “I expect to have a precise order by the end of next week, at which point pre-orders, name reservations, and account creation will commence.”
Technical director Kevin ‘Slikey’ Carstens has also addressed the modding community, stating that the team has opted to “ship [the game] now instead of waiting for perfection.” He adds, “We chose to fix up what we reasonably could in the short time we’ve had with the project, and then open things up so you can start experimenting while we work toward the long-term modding vision.” Collins-Laflamme has reassured modders and server owners that Hytale will take 0% from them for at least the first two years, expressing trust in their ability to attract players to the game.
