How to Enter the Hytale New Worlds Modding Contest: Step-by-Step Guide

The New Worlds modding contest is one of the biggest opportunities in the Hytale community right now. With $100,000 in total prizes spread across multiple categories, it is designed to encourage modders at every skill level to build something and submit it. Whether you have a completed mod ready to go or are just starting from scratch, this guide walks through every step of the entry process. The deadline is April 28, 2026, and winners will be announced on May 12, 2026. Here is exactly how to get your submission in. Step 1: Create a CurseForge Mod Author Account Before you can submit anything, you need a CurseForge account with Mod Author status. If you already have a CurseForge account, you may need to apply for author access on the Hytale section specifically. Go to curseforge.com and sign up (or log in with an existing account) Navigate to the Hytale section under Games Click "Start a Project" or look for the Mod Author application link Fill out the author application with your details. Approval is typically fast, often within a few hours Once approved, you will see the option to create new Hytale projects in your dashboard If you have already published mods on CurseForge for other games (Minecraft, WoW, etc.), your existing account should already have author access. You just need to verify that Hytale projects are enabled. Step 2: Build and Prepare Your Mod Your mod must be a new project created after January 2026. Mods that existed before this date are not eligible, though you can build on concepts from earlier work as long as the CurseForge project itself is new. Focus your development effort on one of the three contest categories (covered in the next section). Projects that try to do everything often end up being weaker entries than focused mods that do one thing really well. Important Rules to Keep in Mind AI-generated art is banned. All visual assets (textures, models, icons, screenshots) must be created by humans. AI-generated concept art used during development is fine, but nothing generated by AI tools should appear in the final submission or its CurseForge listing. The project must be uploaded to CurseForge. External hosting, private downloads, or GitHub-only projects are not eligible. Your mod must be functional. Judges will test submissions. Broken or incomplete mods that crash on load will not be considered. Step 3: Choose Your Category The contest has three main categories, each with its own $27,000 prize pool: CategoryPrize PoolFocus Area WorldGen V2$27,000Custom world generation using the node-based editor. Biomes, terrain features, custom structures, procedural landscapes. NPCs$27,000Custom creatures, NPCs, and AI behaviors. New mobs, AI frameworks, quest-giving NPCs, companions. Experiences$27,000Custom game modes, mini-games, quests, and gameplay systems. Anything that creates a new player experience. Choosing the Right Category Submit your mod to the category that best matches its primary feature: WorldGen V2 is ideal if your mod creates new biomes, custom terrain, or procedural structures. The WorldGen V2 node editor has significant depth, and judges will be looking for creative use of its features. NPCs is the right choice if your mod focuses on creatures, AI behaviors, or character interactions. This includes new enemy types, friendly NPCs with dialog, pet/companion systems, and boss encounters. Experiences is the broadest category. If your mod creates a new gameplay loop, mini-game, quest chain, or game mode, this is where it fits. This category tends to attract the most submissions, so make sure yours stands out. Step 4: Upload Your Project to CurseForge Once your mod is ready: Log in to CurseForge and go to your author dashboard Click "Create a Project" and select Hytale as the game Fill out the project details: Title: Choose something descriptive and searchable Summary: A concise one-line description Description: Detailed explanation with screenshots, features list, and installation instructions Category: Select the appropriate mod category Screenshots: Include at least 3-5 high-quality screenshots showing your mod in action Upload your mod files as a zip archive Save and publish the project. It may go through a brief review before going live. A strong CurseForge listing matters. Judges will evaluate your mod's presentation alongside its technical execution. Clear screenshots, a well-written description, and installation instructions all contribute to a positive impression. Step 5: Submit via the Contest Form Publishing your mod on CurseForge alone does not automatically enter it in the contest. You must also submit through the official contest form: Visit hytale.curseforge.com/newworldscontest/ Log in with the same CurseForge account used to publish your mod Select the contest category you want to enter (WorldGen V2, NPCs, or Experiences) Link your published CurseForge project Confirm your submission You can submit different mods to different categories, but each individual mod can only be entered in one category. Prize Structure Here is the full breakdown of how the $100,000 is distributed: Main Category Prizes ($81,000 total) Each of the three main categories (WorldGen V2, NPCs, Experiences) has a $27,000 prize pool. Prize distribution within each category will be announced with the results, but typically follows a tiered structure with the top placements receiving the largest shares. Community Favorites ($10,000 total) A separate Community Favorites pool of $10,000 is split into five prizes of $2,000 each. These are voted on by the community rather than chosen by judges, so building an audience for your mod and encouraging downloads and engagement on CurseForge directly helps your chances here. Mid-Contest Drops ($9,000 total) During the contest period, three mid-contest drops will distribute additional prizes. Each drop awards 10 prizes of $300 each ($3,000 per drop, $9,000 total). These drops reward early and consistent participation, so submitting your mod sooner rather than waiting until the deadline gives you more chances to win bonus prizes. Key Dates DateEvent January 2026Contest opens, eligible project start date During contestThree mid-contest drops ($3,000 each) April 28, 2026Submission deadline May 12, 2026Winners announced Common Mistakes to Avoid Forgetting to submit via the contest form. Publishing on CurseForge is not enough. You must also submit through the official contest page. Using AI-generated art. This is an automatic disqualification. All visual assets must be human-created. Submitting a pre-January 2026 project. Even if you update an old mod significantly, the CurseForge project itself must have been created after January 2026. Poor documentation. A technically impressive mod with no screenshots and a one-sentence description will score lower than a simpler mod with clear presentation. Waiting until the last day. Submitting early gives you access to mid-contest drop prizes and more time to gather community votes for the Favorites category. After You Submit Once your submission is in, focus on building awareness: Share your mod on the official Hytale Discord and the CurseForge community channels Create a showcase video or stream yourself demonstrating the mod Engage with feedback and update your mod based on player testing If your mod works well on multiplayer servers, set up a test server and list it on HytaleCharts so players can experience it directly The community vote for Favorites is based on genuine engagement, so getting real players to try your mod and leave feedback is the best strategy. Good luck, and check the official contest page for any rule updates before the deadline.