A decade of development… and a sudden cancellation
On June 23, 2025, the gaming industry was stunned: sandbox RPG Hytale was officially canceled. Aaron “Noxy” Donaghey, CEO of Hypixel Studios, announced the studio’s closure and complete project termination, ending over 10 years of development and fan anticipation.
The official reason: technical complexity, overambitious scope, and the lack of a clear path to complete the game—even with backing from Riot Games.
Simon Collins-Laflamme refuses to give up
Hope, however, came from an unexpected source. Simon Collins-Laflamme, Hypixel Studios’ original co-founder who left after Riot’s 2020 acquisition, announced plans to recover the rights to Hytale and finish it independently.
In a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), Simon wrote:
“I’m ready to invest $25 million of my own money to finish Hytale. That’s how committed I am.”
A grounded, realistic proposal
Simon isn’t dreaming big anymore—he’s proposing something pragmatic:
- Launch in Early Access for PC only
- Built-in modding tools from day one
- Community-driven content creation
- Cut non-essential content to speed up development
He also revealed that he has a team of veteran developers ready to join the project.
Why did Riot shut down such a hyped title?
Despite initial excitement, Hytale faced years of setbacks:
- Multiple changes in game engine and tech stack
- Shifting visual and gameplay direction
- Internal conflict between creative freedom and corporate vision
- Scalability issues for multiplayer and world generation
Ultimately, Riot saw no profitable or realistic path forward and chose to shut down the studio and project.
Community responds with hope—and pressure
After the announcement, over 1,500 fans signed a petition on Change.org asking Riot to release a playable build or open the source code. The Hytale fanbase remains vocal, with creators like KweebecCorner, Hytale News, and Discord moderators showing support.
Even Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone (Stardew Valley) has expressed interest in backing Simon if there’s a clear plan.
Can Hytale be saved?
Simon’s plan is bold but not unrealistic. Challenges ahead include:
- Buying the IP from Riot
- Rebuilding or modifying the codebase
- Redefining monetization and development goals
- Avoiding past development traps
Still, having someone with technical know-how, funding, and passion could be exactly what Hytale needs.
What’s next?
Simon has promised full transparency with fans, developer logs, and even polls to let the community vote on development decisions.
If Riot sells, we might soon see “Hytale Reborn” or “Hytale Legacy.” If not, this might be the true end of the dream.
In summary:
- Hytale was canceled officially on June 23, 2025
- Simon Collins-Laflamme wants to revive it with $25M of personal investment
- The gaming community is rallying behind him
- Riot Games has not yet responded to his offer
Are you passionate about artificial intelligence, automation, or building innovative projects? We’d love to work with you! At Fryos Studios, we’re committed to creating unique and transformative digital experiences.
🎮 Want early access to our latest innovations? Follow us on social media for exclusive previews and releases. The future of gaming and tech is here—and we’re building it together.
📩 Contact us today to bring your idea to life:
Email: info@fryosstudios.com
Visit: www.fryosstudios.com
Follow us: Twitter (X) | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
🎮 Let’s create unforgettable experiences and take technology to the next level together! 🚀