Hytale, the highly anticipated adventure and building game from Hypixel Studios, received a mixed compliment from one of the genre's most important figures. In early 2026, the lead developer of Minecraft, Jens “Jeb” Bergensten, tried the title and stated that, despite being very well made, he still prefers Mojang's classic. The public statement prompted a respectful response from the Hytale team, who deny any direct rivalry and promise that the differences between the games will become clearer in the coming years.
Bergensten's comment is rare, as he almost never talks about other games publicly. That's why his words carry significant weight in the industry. He noted that he wishes Hytale were more different from Minecraft, but acknowledged the quality of Hypixel Studios' work—a team formed by veterans who created the most popular multiplayer server for Minecraft itself. Meanwhile, Simon Collins-Laflamme, creator of Hypixel, thanked him for the praise, calling it the best review they could receive.
A Different Vision for the Future
In his response, Collins-Laflamme was clear about contextualizing Hytale's goals. The game was not conceived as a direct competitor, but as a new experience with a greater focus on combat, deep exploration, and fantasy elements. That way, the team believes that, over time, players will see a clear distinction between the two works. Modding, by the way, will be a central pillar for Hytale—an aspect that Bergensten himself said he will keep an eye on later, promising to play more in the future.
Despite the mutual admiration, the Minecraft creator's opinion reinforces the enduring strength of a cultural phenomenon over 15 years old. However, the cordial exchange between the developers shows a healthy environment of innovation within the genre. So instead of a battle, fans can expect two distinct options: the creative freedom and time-tested simplicity of Minecraft, and the more adventure- and narrative-driven proposal that Hytale promises to bring to the market.