For millions of gamers worldwide, the journey to Hytale’s release has been nothing short of a saga. This much-anticipated voxel sandbox RPG, which first emerged from the creative minds behind the famed Hypixel Minecraft server, has weathered a storm of corporate takeovers, cancellations, and community heartbreak. Now, after seven years of anticipation and uncertainty, Hytale is poised to make its triumphant debut in Early Access on January 13, 2026—a comeback few thought possible just months ago.
Hytale’s story began in 2015, when a group of Minecraft modders set out to craft something new. Their ambitions were bold: blend the creative freedom of block-building with deep RPG mechanics, procedural worlds, and a vibrant online community. When the game was officially announced in December 2018, it instantly captured imaginations. The reveal trailer alone racked up a staggering 62 million views on YouTube, signaling a level of hype rarely seen for an indie project. According to IGN, this made Hytale one of the most-watched game announcements of its era.
Yet, the path from viral trailer to playable game was anything but smooth. In 2020, Riot Games—best known for League of Legends—stepped in, acquiring Hypixel Studios and injecting fresh funding into the project. For a while, things looked promising. But as months turned into years, development slowed, communication with fans grew sporadic, and rumors of trouble began to swirl. The worst fears were confirmed in June 2025, when Riot Games abruptly canceled Hytale and dissolved Hypixel Studios. For the game’s devoted followers, it seemed like the end.
But the story didn’t end there. In a twist worthy of its own fantasy plotline, one of Hytale’s original co-founders, Simon Collins-Laflamme, managed to buy back the rights from Riot in November 2025. Development was immediately restarted, and, in an announcement that sent shockwaves through the gaming community, a new Early Access launch date was set: January 13, 2026. As PC Gamer put it, “After seven long years of waiting, the Hytale launch times and release date are almost here, a moment that wasn’t quite so certain only a few months ago.”
So, what can players expect from Hytale’s Early Access launch? First, a unique approach to distribution: the game will not be available on Steam or the Epic Games Store. Instead, players must head to the official Hytale website, download the dedicated launcher, and install it on their PC. According to Collins-Laflamme, this is essential for a smooth experience. “We expect over one million players on the early access release day,” he told MeriStation USA, adding, “Download the launcher today and log in now to help us significantly reduce launch-day stress.” The advice is clear—get set up early to avoid the inevitable launch-day rush.
Hytale’s global launch is meticulously synchronized, with servers going live at the same moment worldwide. For North American players, that means 7:00 AM PST on the West Coast and 10:00 AM EST on the East Coast. Across the Atlantic, UK gamers can jump in at 3:00 PM GMT, while those in Central Europe will see the game unlock at 4:00 PM CET. In Japan and China, the clock strikes midnight on January 14, and in Australia and New Zealand, it’s a 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM start, respectively. This simultaneous release is designed to give everyone a fair shot at exploring the game’s worlds from the very first minute.
One question on many minds: can you preload Hytale? Unfortunately, the answer is no. However, you can—and should—download the launcher ahead of time. Hypixel recommends having at least 20 GB of free space for installation, which, by today’s standards, is a modest requirement. With over a million players expected on day one, every bit of preparation helps. As GameSpot notes, “Whether Hytale reaches that incredibly ambitious number or not, it’s probably a good idea to download the launcher from Hytale’s website regardless.”
For those eager to show their support—and maybe snag some in-game flair—three editions of Hytale are available for pre-order, each offering a range of exclusive cosmetic bonuses. The Standard Edition ($23.99) includes the Voyager, Savanna, and Forest Guardian cosmetic sets, plus the Forest Guardian Cape. The Supporter Edition ($41.99) adds the Featherbound, Scavenger, and Arctic Scout sets, complete with extra capes and a pair of Explorer Goggles. Finally, the Cursebreaker Founder’s Edition ($83.99) bundles everything from the previous tiers and throws in four more exclusive sets—Hope of Gaia, Void Hero, Pop Star, and Voidbearer—along with two additional capes. According to PC Gamer, “Buying even the $20 standard edition in Early Access unlocks three in-game cosmetic sets and a cape exclusive to early supporters.”
Importantly, there’s no announced end date for the Early Access period. Anyone who purchases Hytale before the official 1.0 release will receive the rewards tied to their chosen tier. While there are no traditional pre-order bonuses, these cosmetic sets are designed to thank early adopters for their faith and patience during Hytale’s long, uncertain development.
It’s worth remembering just how unlikely this launch once seemed. After being shelved by Riot Games, Hytale’s future was the subject of endless speculation. Some in the community feared it would become another cautionary tale of corporate acquisition gone wrong. Instead, the original creative team, led by Collins-Laflamme, managed to wrest back control and secure a second chance. Pre-sales, according to the founder, have already funded two years of additional development—a testament to the enduring enthusiasm of the fanbase.
For those who followed Hytale from the days of Hypixel’s Minecraft server, this launch is more than just a new game release. It’s a validation of years of hope, speculation, and community spirit. The game’s blend of survival crafting, RPG mechanics, and vibrant world-building promises to set it apart in a crowded genre. Whether it can live up to the sky-high expectations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: few launches in recent memory have been so hard-won or so closely watched.
As the countdown ticks to zero and servers flicker online across the globe, Hytale’s next chapter begins—not with a whimper, but with the roar of a million eager players rushing in to build, explore, and perhaps, finally, call this world their own.
