Hollow Knight: Silksong May Be a Wake-Up Call for Better or Worse

With nearly 2,100 days since its official announcement,Hollow Knight: Silksongremains one of the most eagerly anticipated titles in gaming. While sources claim thatSilksongisn’t in development hell, the half-decade wait may suggest a different story. Still, the ongoing excitement around the sequel speaks to the cultural impact and allure of the originalHollow Knight,as fans await updates.

The latest news from Team Cherry onSilksongcame on June 12, 2025, through theHollow KnightDiscord server. Matthew Griffin, the marketing and publishing lead, shared, “Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. In case you were wondering, we are still hard at work on the game.” This brief message, along with some playtester comments in June, offered fairly recent confirmation that the Metroidvania is continuing its development. Still, the prolonged timeline serves as a wake-up call for game developers, for better or for worse.

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Silksong Faces Intense Pressure from Player Expectations

Team Cherry May Be Rethinking Plans for Expanding theHollow KnightFranchise After Silksong

Although Team Cherry never indicated so, some players have expressed hopes that a potential third installment could explore the story of a past characterfromHollow Knight’s lore. Or, on the other hand, a new game could introduce an entirely new protagonist and region. Still, this might be a premature line of thinking, especially when considering thatSilksonghasn’t received a new gameplay trailer since the Xbox Games Showcase in 2022.

Furthermore, it’s also important to remember that Team Cherry, consisting of just three people, has dedicated considerable time and resources toSilksongto create a quality game. Given this, the player base’s patience is understandable. As thepressure continues to mount forSilksong, fans should remain empathetic, recognizing that what initially began as a second playable character for the originalHollow Knighthas transformed into something far more expansive.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Tag Page Cover Art

If Team Cherry was considering a third installment for their hugely successful indie franchise, the challenges surroundingSilksongmay lead them to reconsider. As of now,aSilksongDLChas not been confirmed, and it may never materialize. It’s also possible that additional content is already being worked on or planned as a surprise, but for now, that remains a mystery.

A new release date forSilksonghas not been announced yet.

Silksong May Serve As An Example For Future Indie Developers

It seems unlikely that Team Cherry would dedicate so much time and effort toSilksong’sdevelopment unless they believe in its potential for huge success or feel deeply passionate about the project. Both of these factors might be true, butSilksongcould also serve as a key example for the gaming industry, highlighting the risks and rewards of long, highly anticipated development cycles. Games likeElden Ringhave faced similar challenges, with an extensive development timeline, multiple delays, and tight-lipped developers. Despite these obstacles,Elden Ringultimately succeeded, in part because it was supported by a large development team and significant funding.

In contrast, Team Cherry’s small team and limited budget could mean thatSilksonghas access to fewer resources, which makes the ongoing development timeline even more challenging. As an indie project, the lessons learned throughoutSilksong’sdevelopment timelinecould serve as valuable insights for other smaller studios. For example, it could further elaborate on the challenges of managing fan expectations while working on a beloved indie franchise, alongside the delicate balance between creativity, resources, and internal development deadlines. This journey could set an important precedent for how smaller developers navigate rising expectations and lengthy development cycles.