Hytale Devs Just Released a BIG Statement!

Summary

In this video, Dom from Loaded Survival discusses key updates from the Hightail development team, including insights from Simon about the hiring process and the future of modding in the game. Dom highlights the team's focus on passion and experience over traditional resumes, and the goal to create a thriving UGC ecosystem. He also touches on the community's skepticism about modding limitations, with the devs aiming to innovate within these boundaries. Dom praises the team's transparency and honesty, and encourages fans to stay optimistic about Hightail's launch in January 2023.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dom is excited about the upcoming launch of Hightail on January 13th and encourages viewers to support the channel with likes and subscriptions.
• 😀 Hightail's hiring process is focused on launch, with plans to open roles after the game is released. The focus is on experience with game mods, tools, art, design, and engineering, regardless of previous job experience.
• 😀 Simon from the Hightail team emphasizes the importance of passion and experience in the modding community, encouraging people who have contributed to game genres like Minecraft to apply for roles.
• 😀 Dom is hoping to receive a response soon regarding his application to the Hightail creator program but mentions that the team likely has many requests to process.
• 😀 The modding community has mixed reactions to Hightail’s modding capabilities, with some worried about the team’s experience and others skeptical of the company’s motivations, believing it’s only about making money.
• 😀 The Hightail team reassures modders that they are experienced developers who genuinely care about creating excellent modding capabilities and want to push UGC (user-generated content) into a new golden age.
• 😀 The Hightail modding strategy is still being developed and may have flaws, but the team is working on iterative improvements, such as better handling of client-side assets and modding features like shaders and cubic chunks.
• 😀 While Hightail may have more limitations than modding in other engines like Unreal or Unity, these limitations are designed to create a safer, scalable ecosystem for mods, and to ensure large-scale modding is possible.
• 😀 The team prioritizes solving foundational issues first before adding smaller features or responding to community requests, but they are open to feedback from the modding community.
• 😀 Dom admires the honesty and transparency of the Hightail team, expressing appreciation for their approach of communicating their challenges and aspirations clearly. He also relates to their open, heartfelt communication style.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this video?

The video primarily discusses updates about the Hightail game, including insights from a Hightail developer, Simon, on modding, hiring, and the game's future.

What did Simon say about the hiring process for Hightail?

Simon mentioned that the team is currently focused on the game's launch and doesn't want to hire new people without giving them the proper time to be welcomed. They plan to open roles after the launch, and all positions will be fully remote with no relocation required.

What background does Hightail value in potential hires?

Hightail values people who have experience in game mods, tools, art, design, and engineering. They care more about what someone has done in the gaming genre than whether they worked in a big studio or not.

How did Dom feel about Simon's response to the hiring process?

Dom appreciated Simon's response, feeling that it was fair and emphasized the importance of hiring passionate people who understand the world of Minecraft and Hightail.

What did Simon say about the current state of modding in Hightail?

Simon acknowledged that there are some misconceptions about the modding system. Some people think Hightail is either an inexperienced project or a money-driven AAA studio. He clarified that the Hightail team is experienced, and while the modding system isn't fully fleshed out yet, they are working on it and want to support modders.

Why is the release of detailed modding documentation delayed?

Detailed documentation is delayed because the modding system is still being developed, and releasing an exhaustive guide right now wouldn't make sense. The focus is on building the system first, and the existing blog post should be enough for most modders to understand the current state.

What are some of the challenges the team is addressing in modding for Hightail?

The team is working on technical aspects like client customization without modification and ensuring that the modding system can scale and be safe for users. They also aim to make Hightail the 'golden standard' for block game technology.

What are the long-term goals for Hightail's modding system?

The team hopes to push User-Generated Content (UGC) into a new golden age, with modding that can reach massive audiences while keeping players safe. They also aim to allow for features like shaders and cubic chunks, though this will take time.

Why did Simon mention that Hightail might not adopt other game engines like Unreal or Unity?

Simon explained that Hightail is not aiming to adopt Unreal or Unity because they are building their own system that is tailored to Hightail’s unique vision. He believes this will allow them to create a new, scalable modding experience.

How does Simon suggest the modding community should approach feedback?

Simon encourages modders to work with creators who can help present clear and constructive feedback, as a unified voice will help improve the game’s modding system.