Even before the release, there were opinions that the game would generate high interest if it was in a stable technical condition. The community formed around trailers, mods, and early showings was large. Players were waiting for a new "sandbox" with an emphasis on RPG elements, story, and combat system.
According to the latest leaks, expectations have been met. On the day of launch, up to 2.8 million players were simultaneously on Hytale servers. If the data is confirmed, this is one of the largest starts in recent years in the sandbox genre.
It is important to note that Hytale did not become free-to-play. The standard edition was priced at $24.59, and the most expensive version costs $86.09. With such a price tag, this kind of online presence on release day looks like a serious financial and reputational success.
The main question remains: do Microsoft and Minecraft have reason to worry. Minecraft is a mass brand, and Hytale is unlikely to displace it, but everything indicates the emergence of the first serious competitor in many years with its own large audience.