The long-awaited voxel sandbox game, Hytale, has achieved a critical financial milestone, securing two years of its development budget through pre-orders. This announcement, made just one day before its early access release, marks a triumphant moment for the game following a challenging seven-year development journey. This financial backing ensures the project's stability and continued growth, bringing much-anticipated relief and excitement to its dedicated community.
Hytale's development history has been anything but smooth. Initiated in 2015 with funding from Riot Games, the original Hypixel team was eventually acquired by Riot in 2020. However, the project faced a setback when Riot decided to cease its involvement five years later. Fortunately, the original founders stepped in to revive the game in November 2025, taking over its development once more. Despite an initial target launch of 2021, the game's persistent fan base remained eager for its release, exemplified by its announcement trailer accumulating over 62 million views.
The current anticipation for Hytale is immense, with projections suggesting over a million players are ready to dive into the game on its launch day. Simon Collins-Laflamme, the founder of Hypixel, shared the exciting news regarding the secured development costs. He revealed that pre-purchases had provided sufficient funds for the next two years of operations. This is particularly noteworthy given that the early access package is priced at an accessible $20, a decision made to ensure fairness to players during this preliminary stage of development.
Collins-Laflamme further emphasized his profound dedication to the game, stating, "Combined with my personal commitment of ten years, we are looking very strong for the future. Thank you all for the support. Hytale is saved. We are almost home." This personal commitment underscores his unwavering belief in the project's potential, having co-funded it with Philippe Touchette from the outset. The development team has also seen growth, now comprising over 50 members, many of whom are former Hytale developers who were rehired, bringing their valuable expertise back to the project.
The successful securing of funds and the founder's long-term pledge inject a significant boost of confidence into Hytale's early access phase. While the current build is not a complete realization of the team's expansive vision, it offers a robust foundation for what's to come. The game, often compared to Minecraft, promises rich survival crafting elements. Already, developers are showcasing the versatility of its creative tools, with one having crafted a homebrew side-scroller within the game, hinting at the diverse and imaginative creations expected from the community in the weeks and months ahead.
The overwhelming support from the Hytale community, combined with solid financial backing and the renewed commitment of its original leadership, sets a promising trajectory for the game's future. This newfound stability allows the development team to focus on expanding the game's features and refining its mechanics, ensuring that Hytale evolves into the immersive and creative experience players have eagerly awaited for so many years.
