Last Updated: December 11th 2025 | Early Access: January 13, 2026
After years of anticipation and a dramatic rescue from cancellation, Hytale is finally heading to early access. Pre-purchase opens December 13, 2025, with the game launching January 13, 2026. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before buying, including editions, pricing, what to expect, and whether pre-ordering is right for you.
Key Dates to Remember
Pre-Purchase Opens: December 13, 2025
Early Access Launch: January 13, 2026
Platform: PC (Windows) at launch; Mac and Linux support coming later
Available Editions & Pricing
Hytale offers three editions during early access, each providing the full game with varying levels of cosmetic extras and supporter recognition:
Standard Edition – $19.99 USD
The base game at an intentionally low price point. Hypixel Studios founder Simon Collins-Laflamme priced this "as aggressively low as possible" because he believes the game "isn't good yet" but has committed to making it great. This edition includes full access to all gameplay features, exploration mode, creative tools, modding capabilities, and multiplayer. The development team plans to expand content for all editions throughout early access.
Supporter Edition – $34.99 USD
For players who want to back the project further. Includes everything in Standard plus exclusive cosmetics like capes, hats, and avatar items. Supporter Edition buyers also receive Discord recognition within the Hytale community. The cosmetics scale with tier, providing visibly better looks than Standard players.
Cursebreaker Edition (Founder's Pack) – $69.99 USD
The premium tier for dedicated fans seeking maximum exclusivity. This founder's pack delivers the most valuable cosmetic rewards and highest Discord recognition. Cosmetics include exclusive capes, hats, and avatar customizations not available in lower tiers. This edition represents the maximum way to support Hytale's development.
Important Purchase Information
Edition Upgrades
You can upgrade your edition later and only pay the difference. If you purchase Standard and later want Supporter benefits, you'll pay $15. This removes pressure to decide immediately—start with Standard and upgrade if you want additional cosmetics after experiencing the game.
Early Access Exclusivity
These editions and their cosmetics are only available during early access. After early access ends, the edition structure may change. However, you'll keep permanent access to any cosmetics you've earned, even after editions become unavailable.
Regional Pricing
Regional pricing is not available at launch but is being actively developed. The team reduced the Standard Edition to $19.99 globally to improve accessibility until regional pricing is implemented.
Gifting
A gifting feature is in development but won't be ready for early access launch. The team is working to implement it as soon as possible.
What You Get at Launch
Early access includes three core experiences:
Exploration Mode: Procedurally generated world of Orbis with dungeons, towers, NPCs, and adventure elements
Creative Mode: Powerful building and creation tools including Hytale Model Maker
Modding Tools: Extensive modding capabilities available from day one, including server-side content creation
Official minigames will not be available at early access launch. Over 100 NPCs and thousands of items and blocks exist, though many aren't fully configured yet.
Should You Pre-Purchase?
The Hytale team has been remarkably transparent: "If you don't feel comfortable pre-ordering, please don't." This is genuine early access—unfinished, buggy, and running on a four-year-old build that the team is actively improving.
Pre-purchase if you:
Enjoy discovering early versions of games and providing feedback
Want to help shape Hytale's development
Understand and accept the rough state of early access games
Want to secure early access cosmetics before they become unavailable
Wait if you:
Expect a polished, bug-free experience
Prefer waiting for full release
Don't want to encounter unfinished content or crashes
How to Pre-Purchase
Pre-purchases will be available through the official Hytale.com website starting December 13, 2025. Hytale won't be on Steam at launch as the developers want to focus on the game rather than managing negative reviews from players unfamiliar with early access development.
The Hytale Story: From Cancellation to Resurrection
On June 23, 2025, Riot Games announced Hytale's cancellation after five years of development. Months later, the original founders—including Simon Collins-Laflamme—repurchased the game, hired over 30 former developers, and committed personal funding for 10 years of development. The team returned to an older, playable "Legacy Engine" rather than continuing with the unfinished cross-platform rewrite. This decision allows faster iteration and a return to the "original vision from the 2018 trailer."
No FOMO Pre-Order Bonuses
Unlike many games, Hytale doesn't offer pre-order bonuses that create "fear of missing out." The team doesn't believe in artificially pressuring players. The edition cosmetics are the only exclusives, and you can purchase those anytime during early access.
Bottom Line
At $19.99, Hytale offers an accessible entry point for players willing to experience—and help shape—an ambitious sandbox RPG. The upgrade path means you're never locked into a decision. Pre-purchase opens December 13, 2025, with early access launching January 13, 2026. Whether you buy now or wait, Hytale's resurrection represents a rare second chance for one of gaming's most anticipated projects.
Ready to find your Hytale community? Browse servers and connect with players on Gemini Servers—your destination for discovering the best Hytale multiplayer experiences when early access launches.
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