Report Reveals Team Cherry is Developing Hollow Knight Silksong DLC and Explains Six-Year Development Timeline

The Anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong and Its DLC

Team Cherry, the renowned developers behind the critically acclaimed games Hollow Knight and its sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong, recently announced the release date for Silksong. Additionally, the studio confirmed they are already in the early stages of developing downloadable content (DLC) for the new title. This news emerged during an interview that coincided with the unveiling of Silksong’s launch date, shedding light on the lengthy development process that has captivated fans for years.

Creative Journey and Development Insights

In a revealing discussion with Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, co-founders Ari Gibson and William Pellen shared their excitement about the project, noting, “We’ve been having fun. This whole thing is just a vehicle for our creativity anyway. It’s nice to make fun things.” This sentiment reflects the passion that fuels their development process.

The Long Road to Release

Gibson emphasized that the lengthy timeframe leading to Silksong’s release was not due to development roadblocks, as seen in other projects like BioShock 4, which has faced significant delays and reworking. Instead, Team Cherry continually expanded the game’s scope. The more features they added, the more time they needed to ensure each element met their high standards of quality.

Interestingly, the team opted to remain small in size, which played a critical role in the development timeline. Gibson noted, “Even at that point, we recognized it was going to become another giant thing to rival the scale of Hollow Knight or probably exceed it.” Their approach resulted in a vast world filled with diverse quests and towns, extending the development period by several years.

The Advantage of Indie Success

Another factor contributing to the extended timeline was the financial success of Hollow Knight, which has reportedly sold over 15 million copies since its launch in 2017. This success provided Team Cherry with the resources necessary to take their time and refine Silksong. Pellen and Gibson confessed that they are only pushing forward with the game’s launch now to fulfill their promise of delivering a quality product.

A Balancing Act of Creativity and Expectations

Gibson reflected on the creative process, stating, “I remember at some point I just had to stop sketching. Because I went, ‘Everything I’m drawing here has to end up in the game.’” This realization was pivotal to preventing an indefinite expansion of their development timeline.

For fans who have been anxiously awaiting an update, there were moments when the developers genuinely believed Silksong was ready for release. However, the enormity of content and their commitment to quality necessitated additional time. The last two years were dedicated exclusively to polishing the game and eliminating bugs—an essential step in meeting their high standards.

Hopes for the Future

Bloomberg’s report exemplifies a refreshing narrative from an indie studio like Team Cherry. Rather than facing burnout, the developers remain just as passionate as they were six years ago and are actively working on additional content. Their silence on updates was intentional, aimed at maintaining excitement without dampening the enthusiasm of their fanbase.

Commitment to Backers and Future Reviews

If you’re uncertain about diving into Silksong upon release and prefer to wait for reviews, it’s worth noting that Team Cherry has decided against sending pre-release copies to critics. They felt it was “unfair” to those who backed the game on Kickstarter years ago to offer reviewers early access.

Release Date Announcement

Hollow Knight: Silksong is set to launch on September 4, 2025, for PC and both current and previous generations of consoles. As the anticipation builds, the indie gaming community watches closely, eager to see how Team Cherry’s commitment to creativity and quality will resonate with players.

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