What is Hytale: Release Date, Price, How To Play

Hytale, the block-based sandbox RPG, launched into early access on January 13, 2026. The game combines creative freedom with RPG progression in a procedurally generated world. Development began in 2015, but the project was canceled by Riot Games in June 2025. The original founders repurchased Hytale in November 2025, reviving a four-year-old build for this early access release. It is now in the hands of the community to help shape its future.

Hytale Release Date: Exact Time

Hytale launched simultaneously worldwide on Tuesday, January 13. Based on the official countdown, the game unlocked at 7 am PST. There was no preloading for the game itself, but players could download the launcher ahead of the release time.

• Pacific: 7 am PST (January 13)
• Eastern: 10 am EST (January 13)
• UK: 3 pm GMT (January 13)
• Europe: 4 pm CET (January 13)
• Australia: 2 am AEDT (Wednesday, January 14)
• New Zealand: 4 am NZDT (Wednesday, January 14)

The founder urged players to download the launcher and log in early to reduce server stress on launch day. The studio anticipated over one million players.

How To Play Hytale — Price & Editions

Hytale is available only on PC through its own dedicated launcher, which can be downloaded from the official Hytale website.

Here is the Hytale price for every edition available:

• Standard Edition — $23.99, includes the Savanna and Forest Guardian cosmetic sets, including the Forest Guardian Cape.
• Supporter Edition — $41.99, includes everything from the Standard edition, plus the Featherbound, Scavenger, and Arctic Scout sets, each with its respective cape, as well as the Knight Cape and Explorer Goggles.
• Cursebreaker Founder's Edition — $83.99, contains all items and sets from both the Standard and Supporter editions, plus an additional four cosmetic sets (Hope of Gaia, Void Hero, Pop Star, Voidbearer) and two additional exclusive capes (Royal Emmissary, New Beginning).

The developers have described the release as "true early access," meaning the game is unfinished and has bugs. The team intends to deliver updates quickly and frequently in the first few months to address obvious issues. Features like Adventure Mode, official minigames, and social systems are planned for future updates as the game evolves based on player feedback.

What is Hytale: Gameplay

Hytale is a sandbox game that blends creative building with the adventure of an RPG. Its developers describe it as a procedurally generated world filled with dungeons and secrets, which players can shape block by block. The game is built for both creation and play, featuring responsive combat, exploration, and robust building tools. Early access focuses on these core systems. The project originated from a team of Minecraft modders, and the game is seen as an attempt to build a standalone experience that combines sandbox elements with deeper RPG mechanics.

Hytale features an expansive open-world RPG mode that can be played alone or with friends, blending the survival gameplay of Minecraft with the adventurous scope of Skyrim (Reddit user says).

Exploration Mode

This mode centers on a procedurally generated world with different biomes and structures. Players can build a home, craft equipment, and fight monsters with a high-mobility combat system.

Creativity Mode

Creative Mode provides players with advanced tools for building and content creation. Features include block rotation, connected block textures, and model-making support.

Why Was Hytale Cancelled and Resumed?

Riot Games, which acquired Hypixel Studios in 2020, canceled Hytale in June 2025. Co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme explained that four years of development under Riot were focused on rebuilding the game's engine, not on gameplay features—this left core systems like combat, crafting, and movement in a "barely playable" state.

The community organized under a #savehytale movement, which convinced the founders to act. Collins-Laflamme reacquired the game from Riot in November 2025 and reassembled a team to revive an older, four-year-old build of the game. The new team's focus is on rapid development and shipping features to make up for lost time.