Hytale Relaunch Sparks Controversy with Aggressive Pricing Strategy
Hypixel Studios has announced that its upcoming game, Hytale, will be released in early access for a mere $20. The decision comes after the developer successfully reacquired the rights to the game from Riot Games, which had previously cancelled it due to "a major reboot of the game engine."
According to Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-founder of Hypixel Studios, the low price point is a reflection of the game's unfinished state. "I'm pricing Hytale as aggressively low as possible," he said in a statement on Twitter. "The game is unfinished and runs on a build from over four years ago. Charging more didn't feel right. I don't think the game is good yet."
Collins-Laflamme also shared that he's taking on significant personal risk by reviving the project, with a growing team of 50 talented individuals working on it. The "Standard" edition will be available for $20, while additional editions priced at $35 and $70 will offer in-game cosmetics.
The move has sparked debate among gamers, with some questioning Hypixel's decision to release the game at such an early stage. However, others have praised the studio's willingness to take risks and put the quality of the game above profit margins.
Hytale was originally cancelled by Riot Games in June 2025 after five years of development. The game has undergone significant changes since then, but its current state still raises questions about whether it's ready for release.
Hypixel Studios has announced that its upcoming game, Hytale, will be released in early access for a mere $20. The decision comes after the developer successfully reacquired the rights to the game from Riot Games, which had previously cancelled it due to "a major reboot of the game engine."
According to Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-founder of Hypixel Studios, the low price point is a reflection of the game's unfinished state. "I'm pricing Hytale as aggressively low as possible," he said in a statement on Twitter. "The game is unfinished and runs on a build from over four years ago. Charging more didn't feel right. I don't think the game is good yet."
Collins-Laflamme also shared that he's taking on significant personal risk by reviving the project, with a growing team of 50 talented individuals working on it. The "Standard" edition will be available for $20, while additional editions priced at $35 and $70 will offer in-game cosmetics.
The move has sparked debate among gamers, with some questioning Hypixel's decision to release the game at such an early stage. However, others have praised the studio's willingness to take risks and put the quality of the game above profit margins.
Hytale was originally cancelled by Riot Games in June 2025 after five years of development. The game has undergone significant changes since then, but its current state still raises questions about whether it's ready for release.