Riot Games decides to cancel Hytale, the Minecraft-based title.

A significant change has marked the development of Hytale, a game created by Hypixel Studios with the initial support of Riot Games. This project, which began in 2015 with funding from Riot to the developers of Hypixel, had positioned itself as an innovative proposal, combining elements of a role-playing game and a sandbox. However, after Riot's acquisition of the studio in 2020, Hytale has officially been cancelled.

Hypixel Studios described Hytale as an experience where players could enjoy a procedurally generated virtual world, full of dungeons and towers that offered significant rewards. The game promised to create an environment where players' creativity could flourish, allowing everything from building structures with blocks to presenting a coding system that would facilitate the creation of new assets and the management of servers.

Despite high expectations, the harsh reality of video game development has led Riot Games to make the tough decision to cancel the project. Amanda Goodall, in a LinkedIn post, announced the layoffs of nearly 150 employees from Hypixel Studios. Noxi, the CEO of the company, expressed his sorrow and explained that after several years of attempts and adjustments, it became evident that fulfilling the original vision of Hytale was unsustainable.

The studio leader emphasized that as development progressed, technical ambitions became more complicated, and despite a significant reboot of the game’s engine, the progress was not enough. Options to reduce the game’s scope or adjust timelines were considered, but none would have preserved the special essence of Hytale. Thus, the decision to cancel the game was described as a painful moment, but it is highlighted that the studio's experience and the dedication of its employees will never fade. On the other hand, it was clarified that the Hypixel server in Minecraft will continue to operate independently.