With Hytale's early access launch on January 13, 2026 approaching, many players are wondering if they'll be able to buy the game on Steam. The short answer is no—at least not at launch.
Hytale Won't Be on Steam at Launch
Hypixel Studios has confirmed that Hytale will not release on Steam when early access begins. Instead, the game will be available exclusively through their own platform.
In their FAQ, the developers explained their reasoning:
"We want to spend our time in Early Access working with the community and improving the game, rather than overindexing on negative reviews from players that aren't as well-informed yet about what we are doing."
This is a practical decision for an early access title. Steam reviews can heavily influence a game's visibility and sales, and early access games often receive harsh criticism before they're fully polished. By launching independently, Hypixel Studios can focus on development without worrying about review scores during the roughest phase of the game.
They also added: "Steam is a great marketing tool but one that we might never need. This doesn't mean we will never be on Steam - just that we do not see the necessity of it yet."
Why Some Players Want Steam
The community has been vocal about wanting a Steam release. Here are the main arguments players have made:
Visibility and discoverability. Steam is by far the largest PC gaming platform. A Steam release would put Hytale in front of millions of potential players who might not otherwise hear about it, especially through wishlists and top seller charts.
Steam Workshop for mods. Games like Project Zomboid, Terraria, and Garry's Mod benefit from Steam Workshop integration, making it easy and safe for players to download mods without relying on third-party websites.
Steamworks features. Steam offers built-in tools for multiplayer connectivity, including P2P connections that let players host servers without port forwarding—something Minecraft players often struggle with.
No exclusivity required. Steam doesn't require exclusivity, so Hypixel could still sell through their own launcher while also being on Steam.
Why Hypixel Might Not Need Steam
There are valid reasons for skipping Steam, at least initially:
The 30% revenue cut. Steam takes 30% of all sales (dropping to 25% after $10 million and 20% after $50 million). For an independent studio, keeping that revenue during early access could be significant for continued development.
Hytale is already well-known. The original announcement trailer became one of the most-viewed gaming trailers ever. Unlike most indie games that need Steam's discoverability, Hytale already has built-in awareness.
In-game mod discovery. Hypixel has confirmed there will be an in-game system for discovering and installing mods, potentially making Steam Workshop redundant.
Minecraft never needed Steam. The best-selling game of all time launched independently and built its audience through word of mouth and YouTube. Though some argue the landscape has changed significantly since then.
Could Hytale Come to Steam Later?
Most likely, yes. The community consensus seems to be that a Steam release makes sense once the game is more polished and out of early access. This would let Hypixel:
- Keep 100% of revenue during the critical early access funding period
- Avoid harsh reviews while the game is still rough
- Launch on Steam with a polished product that gets positive reviews
- Potentially offer existing players Steam keys when it launches there
Simon from Hypixel Studios has indicated they're open to Steam in the future, just not at launch.
What About Linux and Steam Deck?
Hytale is Windows-only at launch, with Mac and Linux versions planned for later. For Steam Deck users, this means you'd need to wait for either a native Linux port or potentially run it through Proton once a Steam release happens.
The timing could actually work in Hytale's favor—Valve's new Steam Machine is launching soon, and having Hytale available on Steam could help it reach that audience of casual PC-console gamers.
Where to Buy Hytale
When pre-orders open on December 13, 2025, you'll be able to purchase Hytale directly from the official Hytale website. This will be the only way to buy the game during early access.
Before you buy, make sure your PC meets the Hytale system requirements. The game requires Windows 10/11 and an SSD, with 8-16GB of RAM recommended.