Did Hytale’s Future Change Forever?

Summary

Simon has been actively sharing updates on Hightail's development, including his plans for its launch. He highlights a more relaxed expectation for its early release, starting with a creative mode to involve the community. Simon emphasizes transparency and openness, offering to reconnect with current and former team members. However, the fate of the game depends on Riot Games' decision to sell the IP. With the upcoming summer break at Riot, updates are expected soon. Simon plans to engage the community further through a potential Q&A, aiming to shape Hightail's future with user feedback. The timeline for release remains uncertain but could happen sooner than expected.

Takeaways

• 😀 Simon has been highly active on Twitter, sharing updates and exciting news about Hightail's development.
• 😀 Simon is lowering expectations for the initial release, emphasizing that it won't be perfect but will provide a starting point for the game.
• 😀 The cancellation of Hightail might serve as a reset for expectations, helping to break the curse of perfectionism and get the game into players' hands sooner.
• 😀 A creative mode might be the first release to get players involved and provide feedback early in the development process.
• 😀 Simon plans to involve the community in shaping Hightail through open source and shared development, particularly focusing on creative mode before mini-games and adventure modes are completed.
• 😀 Simon has outlined a long-term vision for Hightail, highlighting that it's a multi-year project and encouraging patience and collaboration.
• 😀 The roadmap for Hightail is now officially shared, signaling strong progress in the game's development and keeping fans informed.
• 😀 Simon has expressed a willingness to collaborate with both current and former Hightail team members to help bring the game back to life.
• 😀 While Simon is waiting for Riot's decision on whether they will sell the Hightail IP, he remains transparent about the project's status and development.
• 😀 A potential Q&A on Reddit could be in the works if Simon acquires the IP, allowing players to ask questions and offer feedback on the future direction of the game.
• 😀 Despite the uncertainty surrounding Riot's decision, there's optimism about Hightail's return, with Simon playing a key role in engaging the community and managing expectations.

Q & A

What recent updates has Simon shared about *Hightail*?

Simon has been actively sharing updates on Twitter, revealing his vision for the game and outlining a potential early release plan. He mentioned launching with a creative mode to get the community involved early while the rest of the game is developed.

What is Simon's approach to setting expectations for the early release of *Hightail*?

Simon has emphasized that the early release won't be perfect or complete, encouraging players to adjust their expectations. He views the cancellation as an opportunity to reset expectations and break the curse of perfectionism.

What are Simon's plans for involving the *Hightail* community during development?

Simon plans to release a creative mode initially, allowing players to participate in shaping the game. This early involvement aims to streamline testing and improve the game's development process.

What is Simon's stance on transparency during *Hightail*'s development?

Simon has expressed a strong commitment to transparency, regularly updating the community on the development process. He has stated that he wants to be as open as possible, sharing his thought process and progress through social media.

What role does Riot Games play in the future of *Hightail*?

Riot Games holds the IP for *Hightail*, and Simon is awaiting their decision on whether or not they will sell it. This decision is crucial for Simon to move forward with his plans for the game.

When can we expect an update on Riot's decision regarding the *Hightail* IP?

Riot Games is currently on a summer break, which lasts until July 5th. It is expected that an update regarding the IP could come sometime between July 5th and the following week.

What kind of content will be prioritized for the initial release of *Hightail*?

The initial release of *Hightail* will likely focus on a creative mode, which Simon sees as the foundation for getting the community involved early. This would allow players to help shape the game while other features like adventure and mini-games are being developed.

What are Simon's thoughts on the legacy engine and new engine content for *Hightail*?

Simon mentioned that content from the legacy engine will remain in the game, with updates likely occurring until 2023. However, he also noted that the new engine, which may be revisited later, would likely not be used in the initial release.

How does Simon plan to handle community feedback for *Hightail*?

Simon plans to engage with the community through a Q&A session on the *Hightail* Info subreddit. This would allow fans to ask questions and give feedback on the initial development plans. He also plans to share regular blog posts to ensure everyone is on the same page.

What does Simon believe will set *Hightail* apart from other games in development?

Simon believes that his transparency, willingness to engage the community early, and his understanding of what the fans want will make *Hightail* stand out. He aims to create a game that is shaped by the players, from the very beginning.