The gaming community has been buzzing with anticipation as a new chapter unfolds for Hytale, the sandbox game that has captivated the imaginations of many. Months after its cancellation, a surprising turn of events has sparked hope for the game’s future with the release of an intriguing 16-minute gameplay trailer.
A New Beginning for Hytale
This week, it was revealed that Riot Games, the developer behind League of Legends, sold the rights to Hytale back to its original co-founder. Acquired by Riot in 2020, the company chose to return the IP rights to Simon Collins-Laflamme, believing this move offers the best chance for players to finally experience the game they’ve long awaited.
Despite earlier stagnation, Collins-Laflamme is determined to revive the game. He has already rehired over 30 developers familiar with Hytale’s intricacies, with more expected to join the effort soon.
Raw Footage and Promises
In a bold move to reaffirm the game’s revival, Collins-Laflamme shared a segment of “raw and broken” gameplay from the “original legacy engine” on YouTube. This footage offers a candid glimpse into Hytale’s current state without embellishment, as described in the video’s description: “Recorded in a single morning and put together by Simon. No bells or whistles. Just the game as it is. Raw and broken, but still beautiful. There’s a long road ahead, but early access is coming soon.”
fuck it 16 minutes of new hytale gameplay on the timeline pic.twitter.com/KTqrk8n5Ie
— Myne (@not_mynes) November 19, 2025
Collins-Laflamme addressed fans directly, affirming his commitment: “I promised players videos, screenshots, and blog posts. One day after the acquisition, I’m keeping that promise. Now that you’ve seen the first gameplay footage in a long time, I’m heading back to work on the early access launch. The team will share more clips and screenshots as we go. It mattered to me to release raw footage today so we break the curse once and for all.“
A Past of Hope, A Future of Promise
Hytale’s journey began with significant fanfare in December 2018, when its announcement trailer amassed 61 million views on YouTube. The game is described as a fusion of sandbox and roleplaying elements, allowing players to explore a procedurally generated world filled with adventure and creativity. The initial excitement stemmed from the developers’ success with Hypixel, a renowned Minecraft server. Riot’s investment and eventual acquisition of the studio only added to the anticipation.