Highlights
- Hytale co-director calls the salvage operation a "miracle" ahead of the Jan 13 Early Access launch.
- Hypixel Studios reverted to original code to fix broken mechanics after separating from Riot Games.
- The team warns of a "raw" release, prioritizing core stability over Adventure Mode initially.
Just days before the highly anticipated Early Access launch, Hytale co-director Simon Collins-Laflamme has opened up about the game’s near-death experience, calling its salvage operation a “damn miracle.” The sandbox RPG, which is set to release on Jan 13, 2026, was reportedly in a “barely playable” state only weeks ago, but the team managed to execute a rapid turnaround after reclaiming independence from Riot Games. According to Collins-Laflamme, the recovery process, which logically should have taken years, was compressed into a matter of weeks to meet the upcoming deadline.
Data released by Hypixel Studios reveals that the game, developed under Riot Games' ownership, left them with a four-year gap behind and a lot of catching up to do. By discarding this troubled rebuild and returning to their original, feature-rich code, the rehired team of roughly 30 developers was able to bypass nearly a decade of stalled progress and stabilize the build immediately.
Speaking on the technical hurdles faced when they reacquired the project in Nov 2025, Collins-Laflamme described a chaotic scene. He admitted that at the time of the handover, essential mechanics, including the camera, movement, combat, crafting, and rendering, were all broken.
In a statement regarding the emotional weight of the project, he noted that instead of celebrating the release, the team is now focused on pushing forward to make up for the time lost during the game's tumultuous production cycle under previous management.
Riot Games' cancellation and the road to Early Access
The path to this release has been long and difficult. Hytale was first revealed in 2018, quickly going viral for its blend of Minecraft-style creativity and RPG adventure. While Riot Games acquired Hypixel Studios in 2020 to boost the project, production struggles eventually led to the game’s cancellation and the studio's closure in June 2025. The project remained dormant until Nov 2025, when the original founders announced they had negotiated a buyback of the IP, allowing them to rehire core staff and prepare for a "raw" launch.
Despite the successful salvage, the studio is effectively managing expectations for the Jan 13 release. Collins-Laflamme emphasized that this is a "true Early Access" period, warning players to expect bugs, unconfigured items, and rough edges.
The initial release will feature creative and exploration modes, while "Adventure Mode" and minigames are slated for future updates once the core systems are fully stabilized and the developers can shift their focus from crisis management to content expansion.
