Eight years after its original release, Hollow Knight has achieved a remarkable resurgence, reaching an all-time peak of 39,356 concurrent players on Steam. The sudden rise in activity comes in the wake of the long-awaited announcement of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date, now confirmed for September 4, 2025.
According to data from Steam Database, the game’s previous peak during its launch year in 2017 was only around 10,000 players. The latest surge reflects the immense anticipation surrounding Silksong, which has generated one of the most intense build-ups to an indie release in recent memory. With more than 15 million copies sold since launch, the original Hollow Knight has already established itself as one of the most successful independent titles ever developed.
Developed and published by Australian studio Team Cherry, Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania adventure set in the underground kingdom of Hallownest. Players take control of a silent insectoid warrior who explores treacherous caverns, faces off against numerous bosses, and uncovers fragments of lore hidden throughout the world.
The origins of the project date back to a 2013 Ludum Dare game jam, where Team Cherry first conceptualized the idea. Funded partly through a Kickstarter campaign that raised over A$57,000 by 2014, the game launched on PC platforms in early 2017 before making its way to consoles in 2018. Four free expansions were later added, further broadening the scope of the experience and helping sustain its player base over the years.
With the release of Silksong just weeks away, the renewed popularity of Hollow Knight highlights the enduring appeal of Team Cherry’s creation. The sequel is expected to build upon the original’s foundation while introducing a new protagonist, Hornet, along with a variety of new challenges. Whether Silksong can meet the high expectations remains to be seen, but the revival of interest in the original game suggests that the series is on the verge of achieving another significant milestone.
