Riot Sells Hytale Back to Original Creator and Resumes Development

Riot Games sold back the rights to the game Hytale to original co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme. This decision follows the company's choice to suspend development of the title, initially created by Hypixel Studios, in June 2025.

The game, which is an alternative to the popular Minecraft, faced development challenges over the course of more than a decade. Collins-Laflamme announced that the new phase aims to rebuild the title while respecting the original vision of the project.

Both parties confirmed the transaction. In a statement, Collins-Laflamme highlighted that Riot provided Hytale with a "second chance," while Riot indicated that the transfer of rights aims to optimize opportunities for the community.

Return of the Creator and Team Reunion

With the acquisition, Collins-Laflamme has resumed leadership of the game and has already begun to rehire members of the former team. He stated that he has brought back more than 30 former employees from Hypixel Studios, emphasizing that all are familiar with the game’s proposal.

Riot, for its part, made a statement reaffirming its commitment to prioritizing what is best for players, even admitting that the project no longer fit within its strategy.

History of Hytale's Development

Hytale began development in 2015 and quickly garnered attention after the release of a trailer in 2018, which received over 61 million views. The game promised to offer robust creation tools and customizable modes, competing directly with Minecraft.

Riot Games acquired Hypixel Studios in 2020; however, the game's progress was halted due to the need for overhauls. A beta version was scheduled for 2021 but was postponed.

Future and Expectations for the Game

Now back in the hands of its creator, the future of Hytale looks more optimistic. Collins-Laflamme indicated that development will be conducted autonomously, aiming to release a functional version "as quickly as possible."

He emphasized that the new approach would allow for meaningful interaction with the community during development. "It won’t be perfect on day one, but I hope we can shape it together," he declared.

Thus, Hytale can focus on providing a stable and playable foundation, facilitating constant iterations. Details about the game’s timeline and progress are expected to be announced soon.

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