In a surprise move, Team Cherry chose not to announce Hollow Knight: Silksong's release date at their showcase events; instead, they secretly hinted at its pre-Christmas release through a casual Discord message.
Unveiling the Mysterious Hollow Knight: Silksong
The devious minds at Team Cherry, creators of Hollow Knight: Silksong, seem to be playing a game of cat and mouse with their fans. Are they simply allergic to hyping their game, or are they genuinely in on a joke?
After a series of updates on SteamDB had enthusiasts buzzing about a potential Silksong spotlight during major showcases such as Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, and our very own PC Gaming Show, we're laughing on the wrong side now. Sadly, instead of unveiling their game, Team Cherry opted for an unusual source of confirmation — a showcase for the ROG Xbox Ally. Yes, really.
As depicted in this video, Microsoft, with nary a trace of subtlety, flaunts its shiny new handheld console, featuring Silksong front and center. Alas, tantalizing footage is comically blurred out as the camera zooms and pans around buttons and thumbsticks while boasting about impulse triggers. How ironic, it's as if they're taunting us!
If you're wondering if Team Cherry has given any real announcements, the answer is... sort of. Instead of simply using their official Twitter account to keep their followers in the loop, we're relying on a Discord message by the developer's head of Marketing and Publishing. And who made us aware of this message? Why, none other than the Silksong eternal vigil-keeper, Araraura, who effectively did the developer's work for them.
"I confirmed," writes Matthew Griffin in the midst of fan speculation, "before holiday-we are not tied to a console release." Later, he clarifies that this means before Christmas.
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So there you have it. Hollow Knight: Silksong is slated to release before the holiday season of 2025. The r/Silksong subreddit is as thankful for this tidbit as they are bewildered that Team Cherry doesn't... I don't know, make a statement or something. Like a real gaming studio would.
"Why is it always Leth making these announcements in live chats and Disords?" questions user K0KA42. "Does Team Cherry know they can make announcements and communicate on their official social media, or show their game off with a release window/date in the gaming events like every other developer?"
"Is this... Is this communication? Wtf, I don't know what to do now.... Holy shit," exclaims one shell-shocked fan, with a voice of reason piping up: "Let's not praise the bare minimum."
Now I'm not suggesting Team Cherry needs to follow the crowd, but it does seem strange. Maybe if they want their game to succeed, this isn't the best strategy? It seems particularly risky, considering Hollow Knight: Silksong's prior unexplained delays, which have been stretched out with little end in sight. A continued lack of communication (and yes, this is a lack of communication, as normal game developers tend to communicate more frequently than Team Cherry seems to) doesn't exactly guarantee a warm and fuzzy feeling.
That said, it's almost become a running joke. Hollow Knight: Silksong's rabid fanbase has been starving for the game for six years already, so Team Cherry doesn't have to put much effort into marketing. I just hope their stubborn secrecy won't cause fans to lose patience before the game's 2025 release. See you on the hype train, folks!
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Harvey RandallHarvey's history with games began at the tender age of 12 when he first attempted to charm his parents into a World of Warcraft subscription. Nowadays, he's afflicted with a Final Fantasy 14-addiction and has an unhealthy infatuation with G'raha Tia. Harvey started out as a freelancer, writing for websites such as Techradar, The Escapist, Dicebreaker, The Gamer, and, of course, PC Gamer. If it looks interesting, he'll dive in headfirst. From RPGs to deckbuilders, soulslikes to roguelikes, and oddball indie titles, he's all about it. In his downtime, he's a TTRPG aficionado. Don't bother asking him to pick his favorite system, he has too many.
[1] Gamesradar, 2023, https://www.gamesradar.com/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-news/[2] IGN, 2023, https://www.ign.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-news[3] PC Gamer, 2023, https://www.pcgamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-rumor-revealed/[4] Polygon, 2023, https://www.polygon.com/22937317/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-2023[5] GameSpot, 2023, https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2024-release-date-confirmed-for-hollow-knight-silksong/1100-6506798/
- Fans, eagerly awaiting the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, are finding entertainment in the enigmatic tactics of Team Cherry, who have opted to confirm the game's availability on the ROG Xbox Ally rather than traditional gaming events.
- In a recent message on Discord, Head of Marketing and Publishing for Team Cherry, Matthew Griffin, has confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong will release before the 2025 holiday season, tempering fan excitement while also raising questions about communication strategies.
- As the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong looms ever closer, bets are sure to be placed among fans, speculating about whether Team Cherry's unconventional approach to announcements and communication will positively or negatively impact the game's success.
