Video game publisher Riot Games closed the acquisition of UK-based game developer and portfolio company Hypixel Studios yesterday, paying an undisclosed amount.
Hypixel is developing an online roleplaying game called Hytale where players explore an open, fantasy-themed world comprising chunky blocks reminiscent of older 3D graphics.
More than 2.5 million people have joined a beta test of the game ahead of an official release slated for 2021. Hypixel raised an undisclosed amount from Riot Games and multiple undisclosed investors when it was founded in 2018.
Brian Cho, Riot Games’ head of corporate and business development, said: “When we led the investment in the Hypixel Studios team two years ago, we saw a group deeply immersed in existing block games who believed that the genre could better serve its community.
“This acquisition will bring our collaborative efforts with [newly appointed Hypixel CEO Aaron ‘Noxy’ Donaghey] and the Hypixel team even closer together, and we cannot wait to see how their work continues to evolve.”