Fans were disappointed to learn that the highly anticipated Minecraft-like sandbox-RPG, Hytale, was canceled earlier this year by Riot Games. The studio acquired the team behind Hytale, Hypixel Studios, a group of developers behind the popular “Hypixel” Minecraft server, but the game fell apart and was eventually canceled entirely.

That is, until today, when Hypixel Studios announced that “Hytale is Saved!” and they were able to re-acquire Hytale from Riot Games in an effort to restore the project to its original vision and deliver something fans can actually play. Developers say that an announcement for Hytale’s Early Access should be coming soon.

Hytale Saved By Indie Devs After Riot Games Cancellation

In a rare agreement between Hypixel Studios and Riot Games, the original developers at Hypixel were able to re-acquire Hytale from Riot and restore the game to what it was originally intended to be. The process was not a simple one, with Hypixel stating that “rehired more than 30 developers who know this game inside and out,” and was able to come to a deal that allowed them to work on “a revised version of the game.”

Hytale was canceled on June 23, 2025, with the announcement of Hypixel operations winding down. The original developers made an offer to Riot Games “without seeing the full state of the project, and “knowing the massive risks involved.” To make it work, the studio has abandoned the cross-platform engine and “made the call to return to the legacy engine and original vision.”

The project is now being funded and operated by two independent developers who comprise Hypixel Studios, and have stated they “are personally committing funding for the next 10 years,” quelling any fears that the project may disappear again at some point in the near future.

Hytale Will Be In Early Access Soon

After Hypixel Studio’s decision to re-acquire the project and give fans something they could actually play, they had to shift dramatically from focusing on engine building to simply creating a good game. What this means for the current project isn’t entirely clear just yet, but it appears that by dumping the Cross-Platform Engine and focusing on the Legacy Engine, players will be getting an announcement about Early Access to Hytale in the coming weeks.

This will be a slightly trimmed-down version of what the game inevitibly ends up as, but is a huge surprise for fans who up until today thought they’d never be able to play Hytale at all. Early Access will include an Exploration Mode, Creative Mode, and Modding, with Minigames and Adventure Mode being released at later dates when they are ready. Ultimately, it’s a great day for Hytale fans who thought their beloved project was doomed to be forgotten.