Hytale New Worlds Modding Contest

Posted by Hytale Team March 5, 2026
Hytale New Worlds Modding Contest

A QUICK WORD FROM SIMON

Hytale is launching its first modding contest with $100,000 in total prizes!

We are grateful to our partner in this contest, CurseForge, who will be managing all submissions, moderation and logistics so we can keep our focus on Hytale.

My vision has always been that modders should be celebrated, not sidelined. The people who pour their creativity into pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the game deserve to be front and center - they deserve to be rewarded. Try to think of it like esports, but for modders. We want to build an ecosystem where talent rises to the top and where the community recognizes and elevates the people who make incredible things. This contest is the first step. There will be many more.

This is just the beginning.

  • Simon Collins-LaFlamme

CONTEST SUMMARY

  • $100,000 USD Prize Pool
  • 65 Winners
  • 3 Categories
  • Each of the three main categories awards $27,000 in prizes, with the following breakdown:
    • 1st Place: $10,000
    • 2nd Place: $7,500
    • 3rd Place: $2,500
    • 4th–10th Places: $1,000 each
  • Community Favorites
    • 5 Winners
  • Mid Contest Drops
    • 30 Winners

3 CATEGORIES

The Hytale New Worlds Modding Contest features 3 categories:

  • WorldGen V2
  • NPCs
  • Experiences

WORLDGEN V2

In this contest, use Hytale's World Gen V2 visual node editor to create some immersive and creative generated worlds! Build a biome, region, or zone with a clear theme, strong landmarks, and great exploration from the ground to compete in this category.

  • The theme is completely up to you, but keep it cohesive!
  • Your entry can be within the same look and feel of Hytale or make something entirely new.
  • The world can be a single biome, interconnected regions, or even a full zone
  • It must be playable - meaning it is fun to traverse and navigable underground (if you add any underground regions).
  • Details matter - make your world shine up-close!
  • You can use all the provided assets or feel free to create your own blocks and NPCs! (Prefabs encouraged)
  • Optimize performance so chunks load reasonably fast.
  • Include a short gameplay video (exploration or cinematic).

WorldGen V2

NPCS

Use this contest to bring life to Hytale. Create or update NPCs - critters, enemies, or boss fights - with behaviors players will remember. Push the asset configuration system to its limits!

  • You should use the asset-driven NPC system first. Use Java only to extend what data can’t do
  • Use the Combat Action Evaluator for boss fights and complex combat
  • We suggest you stick to walking and flying motion controllers for the best reliability. Swimming transitions are not fully supported yet.
  • Adjacent systems (taming, factions, communications) should use messages and beacons.
  • Prioritize clarity and feel - we are looking for readable tells, fair hitboxes, clean pacing, minimal jank in your entries.
  • Include a short showcase video (behaviors and/or combat).

NPCs

EXPERIENCES

With the experience category, create a new way to play Hytale, like adventure maps, minigames, hard modes, or deep systems (skill trees, progression, crafting reworks). PvP and multiplayer welcome!

  • You should make it immediately playable with clear goals and basic onboarding.
  • Polish matters! Be sure to consider UI, sound, and visual feedback.
  • Custom content integration is a plus - NPCs, worldgen, and gameplay pulled together will make your entry stand out.
  • Show it in a short gameplay video (with other players if multiplayer).
  • Include simple instructions so anyone can jump in quickly to play!

Experiences

COMMUNITY FAVORITES

5 Winners / $2000 EACH

Once the finalists are announced, the community will get to vote for their favorite projects across all three categories.

MID CONTEST DROPS

30 Winners / $300 EACH

Throughout the duration of the contest, there will be three 'Mid Contest Drops'! Each 'drop' will reward 10 creators with valid submissions.

RESOURCES: WHERE TO LEARN ABOUT MODDING

People throughout the Hytale community have started making guides and resources to help others learn more about modding. If you are interested in the contest or just want to learn more about modding with Hytale, check out some of the resources below to get started!

These sources, while not officially from the Hytale team, have been massively helpful. It's amazing to watch the community help each other grow!

HYTALEMODDING

A community-driven resource to learn more about Hytale modding featuring comprehensive guides, detailed documentation, and so much more - visit HytaleModding:

KAUPENJOE

A core member of the Hytale modding community - Kaupenjoe - is another brilliant resource for modders at any experience level. Below are some resources and tutorials from his YouTube channel:

OFFICIAL HYTALE DISCORD SERVER

And don't forget about our Discord server as well! Use the official Hytale Discord to connect with artists, modders, or just other players to help you test your submission: https://discord.gg/hytale

HOW TO JOIN

We have partnered with CurseForge who will be managing all submissions, moderation and contest logistics so we can continue working on Hytale.

Learn more about submissions, the contest details, category guidelines, FAQ, and more at:

https://hytale.curseforge.com/newworldscontest

WHATS NEXT

Over the coming months, we will roll out additional modding tools and an in-game mod browser. We are also exploring a fair and meaningful way for players to directly reward the modders they love.

Additionally, our Modding Ambassador, Kaupenjoe, has been working hard to synthesize feedback and requests from the modding community. If you are curious what type of improvements are coming down the pipe, check out his Trello board here: https://trello.com/b/BrIJDc31/hytale-modding-wishlist-board

All of this and a lot more. Thank you for your ongoing support. The future of Hytale modding is brighter than ever!

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