sandbox gaming Archives

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Is Hytale worth playing? A lifelong Minecraft fan’s perspective

In 2010, a 14-year-old journalist began playing a beta version of Minecraft, which sparked a lasting passion for the game. Minecraft's core gameplay remains popular, supported by a vibrant community that creates mods and custom servers. Hytale, a sandbox RPG that originated from the Hypixel Minecraft server in 2015, has been released as a standalone game after a challenging development process. Hytale features familiar aesthetics from Minecraft but introduces enhancements like a structured beginning and RPG elements. It aims to capture the essence of Minecraft while offering new experiences for players. Hytale is currently in early access and reflects the spirit of innovation in sandbox gaming.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

Someone got Windows 95 running in the newest sandbox game, Hytale

A modder named iamcxv711 successfully ran Windows 95 within Hytale just one week after the game's early access release. They demonstrated the ability to navigate Windows 95 menus and applications in Hytale. Additionally, the modding community has created a mod to experience Hytale within Hytale and has run the classic game Doom inside Hytale. iamcxv711 is also working on a project to synchronize servers between Hytale and Minecraft, allowing interactions between players on both platforms. TheGamer is providing guides to help players explore Hytale's features and modding potential.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Over 1 million players expected: New Minecraft-style sandbox MMO enters Early Access

Hytale is a highly anticipated game that combines sandbox creativity with immersive storytelling. Key features include a procedurally generated world with diverse environments, robust customization options for crafting adventures and structures, an engaging narrative with quests and lore, and community-centric tools for modding and sharing creations.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

You Might Never Play Minecraft Again After January 13

Hytale, a sandbox RPG inspired by Minecraft, is set to enter early access on January 13. The project was initially canceled by Riot Games but was revived through an agreement allowing the original developers to reclaim it. The game will feature powerful creation tools, extensive modding capabilities, and adaptable scripting systems, enabling players to design their own worlds and narratives.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Hytale, the contender for Minecraft’s throne, rises from the ashes in a historic move

Simon Collins-Laflamme announced on X that Hypixel Studios has acquired Hytale from Riot Games, marking a significant turning point for the game. The team has repurchased the project, reinstated over 30 developers, and pledged to independently fund the game for at least the next decade. Hytale was initially announced in 2018 and gained over 30 million views for its trailer. However, Riot Games announced the studio's closure and Hytale's cancellation on June 23, 2025, due to the project's complexity. Collins-Laflamme expressed his determination to reclaim Hytale and offered to invest his own funds to buy back the game. The acquisition involved a complete repurchase of intellectual property without external investors, and Hytale will be financed through the creators' resources. The team plans to revert to the legacy engine used in earlier iterations and focus on delivering a playable game on PC first, with early access available on Windows. The team cautioned players about potential bugs and unbalanced systems in early access, with a focus on refining the living world, sandbox elements, and modding tools.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

New indie reimagines Terraria as a hyper-capitalist mining sim where you command thousands of workers, and I’m hooked

Coal LLC is a game that transforms mining into an industrial-scale resource gathering experience, where players must collect coal before nightfall or lose their resources. Developed by Bye Bye Ocean, it incorporates sandbox elements and run-based progression. Players start with a basic pickaxe and can hire assistants as they accumulate wealth, allowing for strategic upgrades and improved efficiency. The game features various tools and equipment, such as emergency ladders, stronger pickaxes, and even jetpacks. Players can also recruit specialized workers and utilize unique gameplay mechanics, including using a minigun or mini-earthquakes. Coal LLC is available on Steam with a 10% launch discount until September 25, and a free demo is offered.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Roblox Versus Minecraft: Comparing the Giants

In 2025, Roblox has over 380 million monthly active users and nearly 89 million daily players, with a library of more than 5 million user-generated games. Minecraft has approximately 32 million monthly active users and 2.5 million daily players. Roblox features a virtual currency called Robux, allowing players to personalize their experiences and trade virtual items. Minecraft offers modes like Survival and Creative, emphasizing resource management and artistic expression. Roblox's graphics vary by creator, with enhancements like dynamic lighting, while Minecraft maintains a consistent blocky style with recent graphical updates. Both platforms are accessible on multiple devices, with Roblox supporting PC, mobile, Xbox, and VR, and Minecraft available in Java and Bedrock editions, which do not share servers.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Minecraft Competitor Hytale Shuts Down After a Decade of Development

Hypixel Studios has ceased development on its sandbox game, Hytale, due to insufficient financial support and challenges in aligning its vision with the evolving sandbox gaming landscape. The studio, founded in 2016 and acquired by Riot Games in 2020, faced difficulties despite a major overhaul of the game engine. Riot Games assisted in seeking additional investors but ultimately decided to halt the project, providing support to the team during the transition. The existing Hypixel Minecraft server will continue to operate independently. The announcement comes amid significant layoffs in the gaming industry, with over 10,500 jobs lost in 2023 and projections of an additional 14,600 in 2024.