Stardew Valley Creator Will Save Hytale!

The dream crossover no one saw coming might just happen. After Riot Games officially pulled the plug on Hytale, the long-hyped Minecraft-inspired sandbox RPG, fans turned to one of indie gaming’s biggest legends: Stardew Valley creator, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. And surprisingly… he didn’t say no.

“Possibly, but I would have to hear more about what the plan is, why it failed initially (behind the scenes), etc.”
— Eric Barone, on Discord

What Happened to Hytale?

Hytale began development in 2015 by Hypixel Studios, aiming to merge Minecraft-style block-building with deep RPG mechanics, dungeons, boss fights, and mod support. The game exploded in popularity after its 2018 trailer, gaining over 61 million views. Riot Games later acquired Hypixel in 2020.

But after years of engine rewrites, shifting priorities, and internal delays, Riot announced in June 2025 that the game would be shut down. The development never reached a playable state that lived up to its ambitious goals.

Enter ConcernedApe

When a fan pitched the idea of saving Hytale to Eric Barone in a Discord conversation, his answer was vague but hopeful. While he made it clear he’s not actively pursuing the revival, he said he’s open to considering it — if given the full picture.

Barone later clarified:

“I’m not actively doing anything to make this happen… If something were presented to me, I would be open to entertaining the idea, that’s all.”

Fans React — and So Did Hypixel’s Founder

With Eric’s name now tied to Hytale, fans began to buzz. And more fuel was added to the fire when Simon Collins-Laflamme, co-founder of Hypixel, revealed he’s willing to offer $25 million to buy the rights back from Riot. His goal? A stripped-down early-access release and a lean dev team to finally make Hytale playable.

“It’s the least I can do for the community that gave me everything,” Simon said on social media.

Whether or not Riot accepts his offer remains unknown, but the conversation has started — and the pressure is on.

Haunted Chocolatier First, Hytale Maybe Later?

Eric Barone is still fully focused on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, a spooky and whimsical chocolate-making life sim. He’s made it clear that Stardew Valley updates are done for now so he can put 100% of his time into his new project.

But if Hytale lands on his desk with the right pitch and a clear plan? There’s a slim but real chance this indie legend could help resurrect one of the most ambitious sandbox RPGs ever announced.

---

Want to create your own blocky empire?
Start your own Minecraft-inspired adventure today with a premium server at GGServers. Use code BLOG30 for 30% off all plans:
👉 https://ggservers.com

---

The Future of Hytale: Still Hanging On

At the moment, nothing is confirmed. Riot still owns the rights, and neither Eric Barone nor Simon Collins-Laflamme have been greenlit to move forward. But one thing is clear — the Hytale community isn’t giving up.

Whether by indie passion, fan support, or a $25 million buyout, the future of Hytale may still have a heartbeat.

---

Looking to host your own survival world while you wait for Hytale’s fate?
Use code BLOG30 at checkout on GGServers to get 30% OFF game servers today!

---

Image Metadata

• Alt Text: Pixelated chicken from Stardew Valley standing in Hytale landscape with a looming warrior.
• Title: Will Stardew Valley’s Creator Save Hytale?
• Caption: Fans hope Eric Barone could bring Hytale back from the dead.
• Description: A vibrant landscape blending art styles from Stardew Valley and Hytale, showing the potential fusion fans dream about.