Hollow Knight: Silksong Demand Crashes Online Gaming Stores
▼ Summary
– Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight, launched globally today after six years of development.
– Online retailers are experiencing technical issues, including loading screens and error messages, due to high demand.
– Frustrated fans are venting on social media, while successful buyers are celebrating their rare access.
– The game was initially planned as DLC but expanded into a full title, building on the success of its award-winning predecessor.
– Silksong is currently Steam’s top-selling game with over 100,000 concurrent players despite the ongoing purchase difficulties.
The highly anticipated launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong has caused widespread disruption across major digital gaming platforms, leaving eager fans stranded in queues and facing persistent error messages. After a six-year wait, the sequel’s release triggered overwhelming demand, resulting in crashed storefronts and delayed access for countless players.
Retailers like Steam, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, and Xbox Marketplace all struggled under the strain. Steam users encountered a frustrated blob icon accompanied by the message “Something went wrong” when attempting to purchase the game. Nintendo’s eShop hung on loading screens or displayed errors, while PlayStation users reported the title vanishing entirely from search results or appearing as unavailable. According to one reporter, Xbox Game Pass subscribers found more success installing the game remotely through the console’s website.
Frustrated players quickly took to social media to share their experiences. Many posted screenshots of error messages, joking that the “first boss” of Silksong was actually the store itself. Popular Twitch streamers attempting to broadcast the game ran into identical technical barriers, amplifying the collective disappointment online.
A fortunate few who managed to complete their purchases proudly showcased their success, posting images of the game running on their devices with captions celebrating their luck. Their posts stood in stark contrast to the widespread reports of digital roadblocks.
Originally announced in 2019, Silksong began as planned DLC for the first Hollow Knight but evolved into a full standalone game. The original title, developed by the small Australia-based studio Team Cherry, became a surprise indie hit, praised for its challenging gameplay and hand-drawn aesthetic. It went on to sell over 15 million copies worldwide, building a massive and patient fanbase.
In the weeks leading up to the release, the gaming community braced for impact. When developers unexpectedly announced the launch date just two weeks in advance, several other indie studios postponed their own game releases to avoid competing for attention. One developer referred to Silksong as the “GTA of indie games,” acknowledging its powerful influence.
Despite the rocky start, Silksong’s popularity is undeniable. It quickly became the top-selling title on Steam and already boasts more than 100,000 concurrent players on that platform alone. For those still waiting to get in, it seems years of anticipation were just a warm-up for the patience required on launch day.
(Source: Wired)
