The Hytale team has released a major new update on the current state of hytale modding, the tools available at launch, and their long-term vision for creators. Kevin “Slikey” Carstens, Hytale’s Technical Director, shared a transparent and detailed breakdown of where things stand today.
Below is a summary of the most important information, along with what it means for our own website and the content we’ll be delivering soon.
Modding Is at the Heart of Hytale
Hytale is being built from the ground up with modding as a core pillar. Nearly everything in the game, including blocks, items, NPCs, world generation, UI, and more, can be customized, expanded, or completely replaced. Even singleplayer runs on a local server, which means all modding is handled server-side and does not rely on custom client modifications.
Current State of Modding
The developers were very candid: while the tools are powerful, they are still early. There are missing features, rough workflows, and some instability. However, they believe releasing early access tools is the best way to grow the ecosystem.
Right now, hytale mods fall into four main categories:
Server Plugins
For building minigames, custom systems, unique gameplay logic, and more using .jar files.
Data Assets
JSON files defining core content such as blocks, items, loot, NPC behavior, and world generation.
Art Assets
Blockbench is officially supported for Hytale models, textures, animations, and sound integration.
Save Files / Prefabs
Worlds, structures, and builds that you can share or use in world generation.
Tools Available Today
Short-Term Improvements
Shared Source Server
Expected 1–2 months after launch, giving modders full insight into server systems and allowing deeper experimentation.
Better Packaging and Mod Distribution
Current workflows are rough. Expect rapid iterations based on community feedback.
Custom UIs
UI technology is being consolidated into NoesisGUI to provide a cleaner, more consistent way to build interface elements.
Stability
Crashes and data loss are still possible in this early stage. The team is prioritizing stability fixes and recommends frequent backups.
Long-Term Modding Vision
- A fully integrated visual scripting system
- Node-based editors for complex systems
- Bounty programs for community contributors
- In-world scripting and linking tools (like DOOM SnapMap)
What This Means for Our Website
We are committed to becoming the #1 resource for every Hytale modder. Once tools stabilize, we'll publish tutorials covering: