- Games
- Survival Games
- Hytale
The new sandbox game arrives next month
Comments (0) ()When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Hypixel Studios)
The Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG fans have waited nearly a decade for, Hytale, is finally set to launch into early access this upcoming January, but it turns out that fans aren't the only folks eager to play – so are Mojang developers themselves.
Well, at least Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten, the lead designer of Minecraft and chief creative officer of Mojang Studios, is. He reveals as much in a new online post, responding to questions on how he feels about Hytale's resurrection after Riot sold it back to Hypixel Studios – and how the community might see it as a "competitor" of sorts to Minecraft. "I'm looking forward to Hytale because I want to play it," Bergensten replies.
As for how he – and likely other Mojang developers – feel about it, Bergensten writes, "There are many Minecraft-like games, so I doubt it will change much for us." He's not wrong. The genre is overflowing with great titles, and it's not as though any of them have ever taken away from the 14-year-old charm Minecraft still boasts today. Plus, Hytale actually sort of has its origins in the sandbox gem, if you take Hypixel into account.
You may like-
Hytale's returning owner has hatched a genuinely ingenious marketing strategy: repeatedly telling everyone the game "isn't good," but like, only for now
-
Fresh from bringing his canceled Minecraft competitor back from the dead, Hytale boss shares new gameplay footage as "a taste of things to come" – but there's still "a lot of work" to be done
-
Hytale early access release date set for January 2026 just weeks after it's reacquired by original founders, following 5 years and cancellation at Riot: "If you don’t feel comfortable pre-ordering, please don't"
Thank you! I'm looking forward to Hytale because I want to play it. There are many Minecraft-like games, so I doubt it will change much for us. On the second question, I'll repeat my answer that I won't comment on future development plans.
— @jebox.bsky.social (@jebox.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-12-01T17:22:08.112Z
For anyone unaware, Hypixel is a popular Minecraft server that hosts minigames and all sorts of chaos. If you've watched Technoblade in the past or other big names in the community, you might know about it – and its creators, Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette, are two of the masterminds leading Hytale. It's not an official spin-off by any means of the server or Minecraft itself, but its roots are certainly evident.
Neither Bergensten nor other excited fans will have to wait too long now to dive into the magical world of Hytale, thankfully. Its early access date was set last week, marked for January 2026. Seeing as it's already December now, that doesn't leave much time until the Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG title from Hypixel Studios arrives – and when it does, I have a feeling it'll make quite the impact on the genre.
Hytale's returning owner has hatched a genuinely ingenious marketing strategy: repeatedly telling everyone the game "isn't good," but like, only for now
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Mojang CATEGORIES PC Gaming Platforms
Anna KoselkeSocial Links NavigationStaff WriterAfter spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Hytale's returning owner has hatched a genuinely ingenious marketing strategy: repeatedly telling everyone the game "isn't good," but like, only for now
Fresh from bringing his canceled Minecraft competitor back from the dead, Hytale boss shares new gameplay footage as "a taste of things to come" – but there's still "a lot of work" to be done
Hytale early access release date set for January 2026 just weeks after it's reacquired by original founders, following 5 years and cancellation at Riot: "If you don’t feel comfortable pre-ordering, please don't"
"Hytale is saved": Riot sells Hytale back to Hypixel founders, who promise 10 years of support, an early access date soon, and a return to the "original vision"
Hytale is "coming together at last" according to dev, who says 60 playtesters have just given the Minecraft-inspired game their stamp of approval: "Long way to go but momentum is key"
Hytale is priced so "aggressively low" that its returning owner is "taking on a considerable personal risk," but "charging more didn't feel right" because "I don't think the game is good yet"
Latest in Survival Games
Palworld dev isn’t impressed by "so-called" AAA, prefers indies since they "include the kind of systems you can’t find in other games": "AAA titles are overwhelmingly about graphic quality and fidelity"
Hytale early access release date set for January 2026 just weeks after it's reacquired by original founders, following 5 years and cancellation at Riot: "If you don’t feel comfortable pre-ordering, please don't"
Palworld publisher vows to "keep leveraging" the success of the survival game to "help cool people make cool games," like this fantasy looter-shooter made by a small team
Well darn, Hello Games' Sean Murray says the team working on No Man's Sky follow-up Light No Fire is "tiny" and working "in the background"
After miracle revival, Hytale head "now assembling a dedicated team" to satisfy fans of a key genre that's only grown since the Minecraft-inspired game's reveal: cozy and farming games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing
Palworld gets a nod of approval from No Man's Sky lead as Pocketpair devs celebrate "both Steam ratings" finally becoming overwhelmingly positive: "We'll keep on trying our best"
Latest in News
Minecraft lead says "I'm looking forward to Hytale" personally, but tells curious fans "there are many Minecraft-like games, so I doubt it will change much for us"
Veteran Metal Gear Solid producer says "given our age" it was now or never for an MGS3 remake: "Because it's such an incredible series, I decided that now was the time"
Fallout star explains that season 2 will address the "different perspectives" of New Vegas' multiple endings: "It's a really beautiful thing"
The US government "nearly shut us down," former GTA lead says: "They decided we were the only people on the internet peddling pornography, apparently"
Embark makes free-to-play Arc Raiders sound like a nightmare, says its $40 price let it cut a lot of un-fun crap: "Crafting no longer has timers on it that you have to wait out"
Fortnite Chapter 7 was designed to take the game "back to its battle royale roots," even though it didn't actually start as one, and one lead is "both in awe and hugely proud of this team"
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Marvel Cosmic Invasion review: "Excellent '90s-tinged superhero brawling across a punchy campaign falls just short of arcade bliss"- 2Escape from Tarkov review: "An extraction shooter that will make you truly miserable if you let it, but can offer dizzying highs you won't find elsewhere"
- 3Fans think this is the best strategy board game ever made, and I have to admit that they've got a point
- 4Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
- 5This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
1Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"- 2Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
- 3The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
- 4Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
- 5Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
1Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”- 2Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
- 3The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
- 4IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
- 5Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
