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William D'Angelo
published 8 hours ago / 474 views
Hypixel Studios has announced Hightail will be released on PC in Early Access on January 13, 2026, and pre-orders will open on December 13.
This follows months of uncertainty surrounding the game, with Riot Games canceling the game and shutting down the developer. Hypixel founder Simon Collins-Laflamme was announced earlier this month it acquired the game and studio from Riot Games.
Since then, the founder has hired 40 former and new team members, bringing the total number of employees to 50.
Read the announcement below:
Two weeks ago, we, the original founders, bought out Hytale, several months after it closed. We have restarted the project and are returning to a legacy build from four years ago that we abandoned. We personally commit to funding for many years to come.
We've abandoned the new engine, which was supposed to be a complete cross-platform overhaul, and are now focused on reviving the original version. This required collecting, selecting, and merging over 300 GitHub branches into one working branch. It was a significant engineering effort, but we are now confident enough to launch Early Access.
Hytale and Hypixel Studios are independent again, and we're returning to the original vision from the 2018 trailer. Since we've gone back to an older build of the game that was now for prototypes, some parts of the game will lag, but the pace is great and we're working quickly to turn it into the game we've all dreamed of.
Modding and creative tools are in decent condition; however, they are not where we want them in the long term. That being said, they are ready for players who want to create content from day one. This is a good time for modders, server owners and creators to get involved early! They will play a significant role in the future of Hytale.
Since cancellation, we have rehired over 40 former and new team members, bringing the total to 50. Re-acquiring a game from a AAA studio and preparing to launch in Early Access within a few weeks is rare, and players will be able to see progress as it unfolds.
If you don't feel comfortable making a reservation, don't do it. This is true early access, meaning it is still very much a work in progress and will have bugs for a while, but you have my and our team's commitment to making Hytale the game we've always wanted.
The first impression will be difficult, but the path forward matters more. More detailed information will appear soon. Stay tuned to our social media for updates and we hope to see you on January 13, 2026.
Thank you everyone for your support. Hytale has come a long way and we'll be home soon.
~Simon and the entire Hytale team
Eternal and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced by VGChartz in 2007. After several years of supporting the site, he was hired as a junior analyst in 2010, worked his way up to lead analyst in 2012, and took over equipment evaluation in 2017. He expanded his involvement in the gaming community by creating content himself. YouTube channel And Twitch channel. You can subscribe to the author on bluesky.
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