Riot Games Closes Hypixel Studios, Developers of Hytale

Riot Games has announced the closure of Hypixel Studios, the team responsible for developing Hytale, a game reminiscent of Minecraft that has been in development for nearly a decade. According to Hypixel CEO Aaron “Noxy” Donaghey, the studio will be shutting down “over the next few months.” This decision follows Riot’s acquisition of Hypixel Studios for an undisclosed sum.

In a statement, Donaghey expressed the challenges faced by the team, stating, “After years of pushing forward, adapting, and exploring every possible path, it became clear we couldn’t bring Hytale to life in a way that truly delivered on its promise.” He described the decision as painful but emphasized the team’s belief in the game and expressed gratitude towards all members who contributed to its development.

Hytale has been in development since 2015, when Hypixel was founded as a small indie studio by creators of a popular Minecraft server network. The game gained significant attention following a been in development in late 2018, and Hypixel was expected to release a beta version of Hytale in 2021, a year after Riot’s acquisition. However, the anticipated beta never materialized, and a major overhaul of the game engine in 2021 further delayed progress.

Donaghey noted, “Our technical ambitions grew more complex, and even after a major reboot of the game engine, the team found that Hytale still wasn’t as far along as it needed to be. It became clear we’d need a lot more time to get it to a place where it could support the ambitious vision for the game.” This acknowledgment of the challenges faced highlights the difficulties in game development, particularly for projects with high expectations.

Despite the closure of Hypixel Studios, the Hypixel server on Minecraft will remain operational, as it is managed separately from the studio. Donaghey reassured fans and team members that he is “deeply grateful to Riot” for their support during this transition. He mentioned that the team is being provided with generous severance packages and resources to assist them in finding new opportunities.

The closure of Hypixel Studios marks a significant moment in the gaming industry, particularly for fans of Hytale, who have been eagerly awaiting the game’s release. The decision reflects the complexities and challenges that can arise in game development, especially for projects that aim to innovate within established genres.

As the gaming community processes this news, many will be looking to see how the closure of Hypixel Studios will impact the future of Hytale and the broader landscape of indie game development.