How Hollow Knight: Silksong Fans Made Waiting for Release a Game
▼ Summary
– Araraura has run a daily YouTube channel called Daily Silksong News since 2021, reporting on the highly anticipated game Silksong.
– Most of his videos state there is no news to report, reflecting the long wait and lack of updates from the developers.
– Silksong is developed by a small three-person team called Team Cherry, known for their successful game Hollow Knight which sold over 15 million copies.
– The extended development period has fueled intense fan engagement, including memes, community content, and it being the top wish-listed game on Steam.
– Hollow Knight is praised for its challenging gameplay, distinctive art style, and effective use of the Metroidvania genre, building high expectations for Silksong.
For years now, the gaming community has been captivated by the long-awaited release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, a sequel that has inspired a unique culture of anticipation and creativity among its dedicated followers. Since 2021, one fan known online as Araraura has taken on the role of unofficial chronicler, running a YouTube channel called Daily Silksong News where he posts daily updates, or more often, the lack thereof.
Scrolling through the channel reveals a pattern familiar to many: thumbnail after thumbnail emblazoned with a bold red “NO.” Occasionally, a “YES” or “KINDA” breaks the monotony, but most videos follow the same script, a short introduction followed by the resigned announcement that there’s nothing new to share. Araraura also maintains a website dedicated to answering a single burning question: “Is Silksong out yet?” Since the game’s official release date was announced for September 4, the site has featured a helpful countdown timer.
Unlike many major studio releases, Silksong is the passion project of a three-person team based in Adelaide, Australia. Team Cherry may be small, but their impact is enormous, thanks to the staggering success of their first game, Hollow Knight. That title, a beautifully crafted 2D action-adventure released in 2017, has sold over 15 million copies and won numerous awards.
The prolonged wait for Silksong has, paradoxically, only amplified excitement around it. Araraura, who prefers to use his online alias to maintain privacy, observes that fan engagement has reached a point where the community sustains itself. “When you starve the fan base for so long, anything you give them will feel monumental,” he notes. This hunger has sparked a wave of creativity, with people who’ve never made content before suddenly producing videos, artwork, and memes, inspiring even more to join in.
Araraura is far from alone in his dedication. His Discord server boasts more than 9,200 members, while platforms like Reddit have turned the Silksong news cycle into a kind of meta-game complete with inside jokes, factions, and running gags. Events like Nintendo Direct streams often see chat flooded with “Silksong” comments, and forums erupt whenever another opportunity passes without an update. On Steam, the game is currently the most wish-listed title, priced at an accessible $19.99.
The original Hollow Knight is often described as a masterpiece of difficulty and charm. Chelsea Stark, former executive editor and critic at Polygon, calls it “a miracle game,” praising its challenging mechanics and distinctive art. “It has the skill-based intensity of Dark Souls, with creative boss fights and a deeply satisfying Metroidvania progression,” she says. “The world feels alive, and every character, every bug, is uniquely designed.”
For a game made by such a small team, Hollow Knight offered a remarkably rich experience, one that players continue to celebrate and reinterpret. That legacy now fuels the passionate, patient, and profoundly creative wait for its successor.
(Source: Wired)