Hypixel Studios takes legal action against Hytale copy

Hytale developer Hypixel Studios has taken legal action against a copycat game that recently appeared on the Nintendo eShop. The game, titled Hytale: Sandbox RPG, bears striking similarities to the original Hytale, not only in name but also in art style and promotional material.

Background on Hytale

Hytale, a sandbox RPG, was developed by Hypixel Studios, which sold the Hytale intellectual property (IP) to Riot Games in 2020. After Riot canceled Hytale and shut down Hypixel Studios, CEO Simon Collins-Laflamme bought back the IP and studio for an undisclosed amount. Hytale launched in early access in January 2026 and has become one of the biggest indie releases of the year.

Legal action against the copy

The legal action is aimed at Hytale: Sandbox RPG, which appeared on the Nintendo eShop on April 10, 2026. Collins-Laflamme confirmed on social media that Hypixel Studios’ legal team is handling the matter. Despite those steps, the copycat game is still available for purchase, with an introductory price of $4.99, far below the official Hytale standard edition’s $19.99 price tag.

Developments after Hytale’s launch

Despite the legal complications, Hytale continues to expand its early access development. New patches are being released regularly, and work on the game is ongoing. The fourth major update arrived at the end of March 2026 and added new features such as friends lists and server discovery.

In response to the spread of copycat games on platforms like the Nintendo eShop, players have raised concerns about Nintendo’s weak oversight of the products it offers. This issue is not new; multiple successful games are often targeted by unethical developers hoping to mislead players.

In a similar case last year, The Pokémon Company received significant damages over a Chinese copycat game that used unaltered artwork of well-known characters. Hypixel Studios is now warning players to be cautious about Hytale: Sandbox RPG, especially since it could give the impression that it is an official Hytale release for Nintendo consoles.

With the latest developments around Hytale and its continued success on PC, it remains to be seen what the future holds for both Hypixel Studios and Hytale itself. The studio remains committed to further development and improvements to the game while also navigating the challenges of copyright infringement.