Do I Need to Own Hytale to Run a Server? Print

The Short Answer

Yes. You must have at least one valid, paid copy of Hytale (Standard Edition or higher) to run a dedicated server.

Unlike some older games where the "Server Files" are anonymous and free for anyone to download, Hytale requires every server instance to be Authenticated against a valid user account to come online.

How It Works

When you start your server for the first time, it sits in a "Waiting for Authentication" state. You cannot connect to it until you complete the device login flow.

1. The Server Generates a Code: The console provides a unique code (e.g., ABCD-1234).

2. The User Verifies It: You must visit hytale.com/device and log in with your Riot/Hytale account.

3. The Check: The system checks if your account owns a license for Hytale.

   • If you own the game: The server token is issued, and the server starts.

   • If you do NOT own the game: The authentication fails, and the server remains offline.

Common Questions

Do I need a separate copy of the game for the server? No. You do not need to buy the game twice. You can use your personal Hytale account to authenticate your dedicated server.

Can I run multiple servers with one account? Yes. Currently, Hytale allows a single game license to authenticate multiple server instances (e.g., a Creative server and a Survival server). You just need to run the /auth login device command for each new server instance.

Can my friends join if they don't own the game? No. Hytale is not free-to-play. Every player connecting to your server must also own their own copy of the game to pass the client-side authentication.