Riot Games has sold Hytale back to its original co-founder.
The decision comes five months after Riot Games announced it would be ending development of the long-gestating game Hytale.
In a statement, Riot said it had agreed to devest the brand and return ownership to Simon Collins-Laflamme after considering multiple offers as that will give players “the best chance to one day experience a revised version of the game” after winding down development in June.
The sale includes the Hytale IP and all associated assets, including the Hypixel brand and related IP, which Riot acquired in 2020.
“Over the past several months, we carefully considered a range of options for the future of Hytale. Ultimately, after reviewing multiple offers, we made the decision to sell the IP and game assets back to its original co-founder, Simon Collins-Laflamme,” said Riot CEO, Dylan Jadeja.
“We believe this path gives players the best chance to one day experience a revised version of the game they’ve been waiting for.
“At Riot, our commitment is always to players first – ensuring that the choices we make, even when they’re difficult, reflect what we believe will create the most positive outcome for them. While at Riot, the Hytale team made a ton of incredible content and while this means Hytale’s journey will continue outside of Riot, we’re hopeful this transition provides a way for the community that has been so passionate and patient over the years to experience some of the great work that was done.”
Collins-Laflamme, who established Hypixel alongside Philippe Touchette in 2018, said: “Hytale has always been deeply personal to me and to our community. I’m grateful to Riot for giving me the opportunity to bring it back home. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but my goal is simple: get the game into players’ hands as soon as possible, and build something special together.”
In a blog post entitled “Hytale is saved!” Collins-Laflamme added that “a new and exciting chapter for Hytale” has now begun, and he has already “rehired more than 30 developers who know this game inside and out, with additional returns expected in the coming days.”
“Transactions like this are rare in the games industry,” Collins-Laflamme added. “Thank you to everyone for keeping hope alive.”
