Hytale was created by Hypixel Studios, an independent game studio formed by the creators of the massively popular Hypixel server. What began as a Minecraft community project eventually evolved into a fully original sandbox RPG—one ambitious enough to require its own studio, engine, and long-term vision.
The Origins: From a Minecraft Server to a Game Studio
The Hypixel server launched in 2013 and quickly became one of the largest Minecraft servers in the world, known for polished minigames, custom mechanics, and a strong focus on player creativity. Over time, the team realized they were pushing against Minecraft’s technical limits.
Instead of endlessly modding Minecraft, they asked a bigger question:
What if we built our own game—designed from the ground up for creativity, adventure, and modding?
That question became Hytale.
The Founder: Simon “Hypixel” Collins-Laflamme
At the center of this journey is Simon Collins-Laflamme, better known online as Hypixel.
- Founder of the Hypixel Minecraft server
- Visionary behind turning a server team into a full game studio
- Public face of Hytale during its reveal and early development
Simon and his team wanted to keep the freedom and community spirit of Minecraft, but combine it with:
- RPG-style progression
- A living fantasy world
- Deep modding and scripting support
- Combat designed for both PvE and PvP
Founding of Hypixel Studios (2018)
To make Hytale a reality, the team officially formed Hypixel Studios in 2018.
Key goals of the studio:
- Build an original IP, not a Minecraft mod
- Create tools for players, creators, and server owners
- Support the game for the long term, like a platform
The studio is based in Montreal, Canada, and includes developers from across the world—engine programmers, artists, designers, and community veterans.
The Hytale Reveal That Shocked the Internet
In December 2018, Hypixel Studios released the Hytale announcement trailer.
Results:
- 60+ million views in a short time
- Massive attention from Minecraft players, modders, and YouTubers
- Immediate positioning of Hytale as a “Minecraft-like, but RPG-focused” game
The trailer showcased:
- Procedural worlds
- Dungeons and bosses
- Cinematic combat
- Redstone-like logic systems
- Built-in modding tools
Riot Games Acquisition (2020)
In 2020, Hypixel Studios was acquired by Riot Games.
Important clarification:
- Hypixel Studios remained independent
- Riot provides funding, infrastructure, and long-term stability
- Creative control stayed with the Hytale team
This partnership allowed the studio to:
- Rewrite the engine for scalability
- Expand platform support (PC first, others later)
- Avoid rushing the game to market
Why Hytale Is Taking So Long
Hytale isn’t just a game—it’s a game + engine + modding platform.
The team has publicly explained that development time increased because they:
- Rebuilt core engine systems
- Future-proofed multiplayer and modding
- Designed tools so players can create games inside Hytale
This philosophy mirrors how Hypixel itself grew—from a single server into a global platform.
What Hypixel Studios Stands For
Hypixel Studios was built on three core principles:
- Player creativity comes first
- Modding should be powerful, not an afterthought
- Community-driven longevity beats fast release cycles
These values are directly inherited from years of running one of the world’s biggest Minecraft communities.
