Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Price Shakes Up the Indie Game Industry
▼ Summary
– Silksong is priced at $19.99, slightly above Hollow Knight but far below typical AAA game prices, sparking debate about whether it is too cheap.
– Some players and developers worry the low price may set unrealistic expectations for indie games, distorting perceptions of value and development costs.
– Indie developers have adjusted release dates and pricing for their own games to avoid competing directly with Silksong’s launch.
– Industry experts suggest Silksong could have been priced higher but note that the current price may boost sales and positive reception.
– Team Cherry’s financial stability from Hollow Knight’s success allows them to prioritize audience goodwill over maximizing profit with Silksong’s pricing.
The announcement of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s price point at $19.99 has ignited a spirited conversation across the gaming community, raising questions about value, market expectations, and the sustainability of indie development. While many players celebrated the accessible pricing, industry professionals and fellow developers voiced deeper concerns about the long-term implications of such a high-profile title setting a powerful precedent.
Reactions on social media ranged from enthusiastic approval to genuine worry. Some users called the price “actually underpriced,” while others praised Team Cherry’s consumer-friendly approach. Beneath the surface, however, a more serious dialogue emerged. Indie developers expressed apprehension that Silksong’s pricing could distort player expectations regarding what a $20 game should deliver. RJ Lake, a composer and director, noted that not every studio has the financial cushion or brand recognition that Hollow Knight provides, making it difficult for smaller teams to compete on content scale without risking profitability.
These concerns quickly materialized in tangible ways. BastiArtGames, developer of Lone Fungus, publicly questioned whether to adjust their own planned $20 price tag in response to Silksong’s announcement. Although community support encouraged sticking to the original plan, the incident highlighted how a single high-profile release can send ripples through the indie ecosystem. Other studios, like Toukana, developer of Dorfromantik, opted to delay their release and reconsider pricing for their upcoming title Star Birds, specifically citing Silksong’s influence.
Even established publishers felt the impact. Devolver Digital moved the launch of Baby Steps to avoid clashing with Silksong, acknowledging that media and influencer attention would inevitably skew toward Team Cherry’s sequel. Graeme Struthers, Devolver’s CEO, suggested that Silksong may be shifting conversations around value and pricing into the indie sphere, a discussion previously dominated by AAA studios.
Mike Rose of No More Robots observed that the current economic climate has made pricing more complex than ever. With consumers buying fewer games, a lower price point can sometimes be more appealing, as seen with the success of budget titles like Peak. This reality is forcing many developers to rethink their strategies, balancing perceived value against market accessibility.
Gareth Damian Martin, creator of Citizen Sleeper, pointed out that most players don’t scrutinize pricing unless it seems drastically misaligned. Despite raising the price of Citizen Sleeper 2 to reflect its expanded scope and inflation, they encountered no significant backlash. Martin doubts that even a game as anticipated as Silksong can single-handedly reset indie pricing standards, noting that market shifts require broader trends, not isolated data points.
The unique position of Silksong, an indie title with AAA levels of hype, complicates perceptions further. Bram van Lith of Game Drive.nl noted that excitement has inflated expectations, making the $20 price seem surprisingly modest next to $70 AAA releases. This divergence between perception and reality lies at the heart of the debate.
So, is Silksong too cheap? Industry experts are divided. Some, like market analyst Alisa Jefimova, suggest €25 would have allowed room for launch discounts while still feeling fair. Mike Rose acknowledged that $20 may ultimately prove to be a strategic masterstroke, ensuring massive sales volume and cementing the game’s success from day one.
For Team Cherry, however, financial pressure is not the driving factor. With Hollow Knight having sold over 15 million copies, the studio operates from a position of strength. The more pressing concern is managing audience expectations and fostering goodwill after years of anticipation. Pricing Silksong modestly may be a deliberate effort to encourage positive reception and reward patient fans.
As the game finally launches, the true impact of its pricing will begin to unfold. Its commercial performance, critical reception, and influence on the indie market will be closely watched. Whether Silksong sets a new benchmark or remains a notable exception, one thing is clear: Team Cherry has once again captured the industry’s attention, not just with a game, but with the conversation surrounding it.
(Source: Euro Gamer)
