The sandbox RPG 'Hytale', often dubbed the 'next Minecraft', has finally launched in early access after a tumultuous journey.

Hypixel Studios launched the game via its own custom launcher on the 14th (KST), marking 11 years since development began in 2015. This early access version is an initial development build rather than a finished product. It features an 'Adventure Mode' for survival and building in a procedurally generated world, a 'Creative Mode' for creation, as well as modding tools and multiplayer functionality.

The game's release process was like a drama. The project, led by the developers of the famous Minecraft server Hypixel, gained momentum after being acquired by Riot Games in 2020. However, development faced difficulties, and in June 2025, the studio was suddenly shut down and the project cancelled. Nevertheless, co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme bought the rights back from Riot in November of the same year, and the project was dramatically revived, leading to this early access launch just two months after returning as an independent studio.

Meanwhile, this early access version does not yet include the 'Adventure Mode' with its story and dungeons, official mini-games, or social features like friend lists. The developers stated that they have focused on refining the core systems and plan to update the remaining content sequentially based on user feedback.

The game is not available on Steam or the Epic Games Store; players must create an account on the official website and download the launcher. The price is set at $19.99 (approx. 29,500 KRW) for the Starter Edition, with higher-tier editions including cosmetic items also available. The developer has repeatedly emphasized that the game is in a rough, unpolished state and advises users concerned about bugs or system issues to consider purchasing it at a later date.

On the day of the launch, technical issues occurred due to a massive influx of users. Connection failures were reported, such as the CDN server crashing due to overload during the download process via the dedicated launcher, or execution errors. In response, the development team is working on emergency patches and providing temporary solutions such as restarting the launcher.

Hypixel Studios expressed its ambition to complete the game together with the community starting from this early access launch. The future roadmap includes strengthening the narrative of Adventure Mode, advancing the world generation system, and introducing various mini-games.