Hytale launches worldwide in Early Access via its own launcher – the sandbox RPG is already thrilling fans.
After a long and far from easy development period, Hytale has finally entered Early Access, and the launch couldn’t have been more successful. Even before release, Hypixel Studios founder Simon Collins-Laflamme made it clear that a huge influx of players was expected. According to his estimate, over one million players would dive into the block-based fantasy world on the first day.
No Steam Release At Launch
To minimize technical issues on launch day, the studio chief urged the community to download the official launcher in advance and log in early. Another reason for this precaution is the developers’ deliberate decision not to release Hytale on Steam. Instead, the Early Access launch occurs exclusively through the official Hytale launcher, which is available directly on the game’s website. This approach also helps prevent early negative reviews due to the game still being in active development.
The Early Access started worldwide on January 13, 2026, simultaneously in Europe, the USA, and all other regions. Hytale combines sandbox creativity with RPG action: players explore procedurally generated worlds, discover dungeons, fight various creatures, and shape the game world block by block. Special emphasis is placed on extensive modding tools, community servers, and the ability to create custom content and minigames.
Although the game is still in active development, many core systems are already well-polished. These include the exploration mechanics, a dynamic combat system, and versatile building and creative functions. The developers also emphasize that bugs, balance adjustments, and major changes are to be expected throughout Early Access.
Hytale Conquers Twitch At Early Access Launch
Beyond the high player numbers, Hytale has made a major splash on Twitch. On launch day, the game became, at times, the most-watched title on the platform. At its peak, over 420,000 viewers watched Hytale streams simultaneously. Even after initial interest leveled off, viewership remained around 210,000 – an impressive figure, especially for a paid game without a Steam release.
Currently, Hytale is available only for Windows PCs and costs around $22 for the standard edition. Versions for macOS and Linux are planned, while console releases will arrive at a later date. Given its strong start and massive attention, it remains exciting to see whether Hytale can maintain this success over time – the community’s interest is certainly higher than ever.
Will you be picking up the game, or have you already tried it? Let us know in the comments.