Hytale Chapter 1 preview outlines goblins, runes and minigames

Hypixel Studios published a preview of Hytale Chapter 1, detailing a goblin faction, a handcrafted dungeon with a multi-stage boss, a rune-based ability combat system and 14 short minigames. The studio said the update is expected in roughly two to three months and warned many elements remain works in progress.

Game Director Simon Collins-Laflamme wrote the studio would change how it communicates with players after earlier secrecy. He noted the first chapter requires reworking core systems and creating new tools, and described the update as a way to position Hytale as a more adventure-driven RPG alternative within the survival-crafting space.

Chapter 1 centers on a goblin region that will use a new hub called the Forgotten Temple. Players will encounter several goblin types — hostile foes, friendly NPCs that run shops and characters with distinct jobs. World content in the region will include predators, puzzles, Void assassins and random Goblin Breaches. Those breaches open portals to unstable fragments of Orbis with shifting biomes and a growing Void presence that eventually forces players back.

The update introduces Hytale’s first handcrafted dungeon, which ends with a fight against a towering goblin mech. Hypixel plans to ship movement and utility items such as rocket boots, gliders, hookshots, mining drills and a spyglass. Movement upgrades enable basic boats and allow players to stand on moving or rotating platforms while retaining momentum, supporting new parkour challenges with swinging hazards and moving parts. The studio said balance tuning will come after early access begins.

Combat will change through an ability rune system that combines base runes and modifier runes to create customizable skills. For Chapter 1, Hypixel expects roughly six ability runes and a similar number of modifier runes. The studio gave examples of interactions players can create, including soaking a target with water and then applying shock, igniting a tornado with a fire ability, freezing water with ice, and exploding a poison barrel to generate a toxic cloud.

Inventory and world interaction will change: certain objects such as chests and explosive barrels become carry-only items that must be moved physically and can be tossed or placed. Carrying downed allies is planned for a later chapter. Hypixel is also adding minigames as an official mode, with 14 fast microgames designed to last one to two minutes and to exercise the game’s systems.

Technical work described in the preview includes an in-game mod browser due in the coming weeks, an overhaul of world generation, volumetric clouds and updated animal models and animations. Creature AI for birds, foxes and kweebecs is being improved. Crafting systems are being reworked to reduce the number of benches and move some processes into in-world activities such as wood chopping and metalworking. A companion system for homesteads is planned for Chapter 2, and creator tools will receive updates including an asset editor, a machinima suite, spectator mode and a hardcore mode with permanent death. The studio also mentioned cosmetic updates, visual transparency for stained glass and new mob designs.

Hypixel cautioned that many features are still under development and may change before Chapter 1 ships. Collins-Laflamme thanked players for their feedback and patience and said the team will return to work on the schedule.