It feels like forever since we first heard about Hollow Knight: Silksong. Fans have been waiting for this sequel since it was announced back in 2019. The anticipation has turned the game into a bit of a meme within the gaming community, with fans wearing clown wigs and makeup to express their frustrations during every Direct or Showcase that fails to mention the game.
Originally, Silksong was meant to be a downloadable content (DLC) pack. Team Cherry, the studio behind Hollow Knight, started its journey with a Kickstarter campaign in 2014. Thanks to supportive backers, they expanded their vision beyond just adding a new character, Hornet, into a full-fledged sequel featuring a new realm and over 150 new enemies and bosses.
At E3 2019, the first demo showcased what seemed like a polished experience. The short playtime excited everyone, including critics who predicted it might be even better than Hollow Knight itself. Yet, as the months turned into years, the radio silence from Team Cherry grew ever louder, leaving fans wondering if they would ever get to explore Hornet’s story.
During this period, unexpected delays and a pandemic brought even more uncertainty. Team Cherry announced that Silksong was meant to drop in the first half of 2023. However, in May 2023, they confirmed that development was still underway and took longer than expected.
The meme culture surrounding Silksong reached new heights within the community. Whenever a new game showcase appears, it’s common to see fans prep for disappointment, donning their clown attire as a joke. In April 2024, the game got listed on Xbox, leading many to believe that a release date was finally near—only for fans to find it was on April Fool’s Day.
Yet, in early 2025, hope began to emerge again. Team Cherry hinted that more information would come soon, and by March 2025, Silksong made headlines again when it was revealed to still be in development, with a promise of a release window by the end of the year.
It’s important to remember that delays in game development are not unusual. According to a report by the International Game Developers Association, more than 70% of games face delays, primarily due to the complex nature of modern game development, where studios prioritize quality over speed.
As Team Cherry prepares for a possible playable demo at Gamescom, it feels like fans might finally glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. While no one wants to get too excited (or wear clown wigs just yet), the anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong remains palpable, and the gaming community is holding their breath for what could be a much-awaited release.
For more updates, you can check the official Team Cherry site or their social media pages, and be sure to catch the next big game showcases.
