Riot Games has made headlines with the announcement of selling the rights to the sandbox game Hytale back to its original creators, Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette. This development promises an exciting future for the game, which had previously been put on hold.
Hytale’s Journey Back to its Roots
Originally developed by Hypixel Studios, Hytale offered gamers a unique blend of sandbox elements and roleplaying experiences. The game was acquired by Riot Games in 2020, allowing Hypixel Studios to leverage Riot’s resources while maintaining a degree of independence. However, despite progress reports earlier this year, Riot chose to sunset the project, leading to the closure of Hypixel Studios.
In a remarkable turn of events, Collins-Laflamme and Touchette have reacquired Hytale, with plans to reintroduce the game to its eager community. The co-founders, who had distanced themselves from the project since Riot’s acquisition, expressed their deep connection to the game and the community’s reaction as driving forces behind this decision.
The Future of Hytale
With the reacquisition finalized, Collins-Laflamme and Touchette have paved the way for Hytale’s revival. They are committed to a ten-year funding plan and have re-hired over 30 developers who were previously involved. While the game is still unpolished, an early access version is imminent, with more details on launch date and pricing expected soon.
Upon release, players can dive into Exploration Mode, Creative Mode, and modding features, with plans to introduce Adventure Mode and minigames later. The development team is keen on involving the community in the game-building process, emphasizing the importance of player feedback in shaping the final product. Collins-Laflamme acknowledges the risk but remains optimistic about collaborating with fans to bring Hytale to life.