Hypixel, sandbox game developer Hightailacquired the license for the game from Riot Games several months after the studio closed and development was canceled.
This was announced yesterday via official website of the gameHypixel co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme called it a “new and exciting chapter” for Hightailwhich was in development for about ten years.
“While it didn't make sense for them to continue developing the game in its existing form, they ultimately wanted what was best for players, which was for us to end up playing a patched version of the game,” the co-founder wrote. “We are grateful to Riot Games for making this possible.”
For context, Riot acquired Hypixel Studios back in April 2020 for an undisclosed fee. The game was then scheduled to release in 2021, and 2.5 million people signed up for the upcoming beta. Riot previously backed Hypixel as an angel investor when the studio was founded back in 2018.
According to the studio, the acquisition meant access to a larger budget for Hightailas well as “more security” for the team and “advisory support” from a company like Riot.
That was until June of this year when Hypixel announced that cessation of operations and cessation of development on Hightail. “After many years of moving forward, adapting and exploring every possible path, it became clear that we could not achieve Hightail to live in a way that truly fulfills its promise.” reads a post on the Hypixel website.
Additionally, Hypixel said Riot has provided a “generous severance package” as well as support in finding investors or acquirers to help get the project off the ground. Hightail forward. Now, according to an announcement yesterday, Hypixel has made an offer to Riot and has “secured funding” to return to the legacy engine and original vision for the game.
Hypixel funding for 'the next 10 years'
While the studio hasn't disclosed full funding details, Collins-Laflamme said he and co-founder Philippe Touchette are “personally committing to funding for the next 10 years.” Moreover, the announcement states that the roadmap does not involve “any investors or publishers.”
Looking to the future, the studio wants to maintain Hightail “agile and agile” development, an attempt to avoid making promises that the team cannot deliver. Hypixel plans to announce an early access date in the coming days, aiming to make Windows the primary platform at launch, which is expected to last for “at least a few years.” Said launch will include an exploration mode, a creative mode, and modding support, with an adventure mode and mini-games coming later, with a dedicated team working on the latter.
Speaking of which, the current team consists of co-founders Collins-Falhamme and Touchette, as well as technical lead Kevin Carstens and head of operations Patrick Derbich. Hypixel has also rehired over 30 former developers who previously worked on Hightailand plans to continue hiring “as the budget allows” and as the team finds qualified candidates.
“Hightail has come a long and difficult way. It took longer than anyone hoped, and a lot has changed in that time,” the team said in its final statement in the announcement. “But here we are, starting over with a four-year build, a small dedicated team, a community that refused to give up, and a vision to match a new reality. It won't be easy. It won't be fast. It won't be perfect. But it will be ours. Built together: one feature at a time, one bug fix at a time, one mod at a time.”
Hypixel has started working on Hightail after the development team achieved success with an independent Minecraft server that attracted a large community of players. As The Hollywood Reporter noted in 2018Subsequently, the Hypixel team attempted to transform itself from a successful mod manufacturer into a full-fledged video game studio.
They were able to do just that thanks to Riot's initial investment in 2016. At the time, Riot chief Dylan Jadeja said he was “amazed” by the studio's vision for “the future of sandbox games.”
