Silksong Launch Overwhelms Game Stores Worldwide

• Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release caused widespread store outages as demand surged, leaving many players unable to purchase the game at launch.

Demand Surges, Platforms Struggle

The release of Hollow Knight: Silksong on Thursday led to widespread disruptions across major digital game stores. Steam, Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms all experienced outages shortly after the game went live at 15:00 BST. Reports on Downdetector peaked at 3,750, reflecting the scale of the issue as users struggled to complete purchases. Errors persisted for over two hours, prompting frustration among fans who had waited years for the sequel.

Social media platforms were quickly flooded with screenshots of error codes and complaints. Many users criticized the lack of a pre-order option, arguing it could have prevented the congestion. Humble Bundle temporarily listed the game as unavailable due to traffic, though the issue was later resolved. Composer Christopher Larkin jokingly remarked that the game may have “crashed the internet.”

Players React, Some Find Workarounds

Despite the purchasing difficulties, Steam recorded over 100,000 concurrent players within 30 minutes of launch. This figure surpassed the original Hollow Knight’s all-time peak of 72,000, indicating that many users found alternative ways to access the game. Some players shared their success stories online, humorously referring to completing the purchase as “beating the hardest boss.” Others expressed disbelief that gameplay was underway while they remained locked out of the store.

The absence of pre-orders was a recurring theme in user complaints. Several gamers noted that the inability to prepare ahead of time contributed to the bottleneck. Even video game publishers reported being affected by the launch-day chaos. The situation highlighted the challenges digital storefronts face during high-profile indie releases.

Indie Roots and Timeless Design

Silksong was developed by Team Cherry, a three-person studio based in Adelaide, Australia. The original Hollow Knight, released in 2017, has sold over 15 million copies and remains popular among new players. Silksong shifts focus to Hornet, a sword-wielding princess who previously appeared as a supporting character. The game continues the series’ side-scrolling format set in a fantasy world inhabited by insect-like fighters.

Developer William Pellen described the franchise’s aesthetic as “outside of time,” noting its inspiration from older games. He emphasized that the team created something true to their tastes, resulting in a style that doesn’t easily date. Silksong aims to build on that legacy while introducing new mechanics and environments. The game’s enduring appeal suggests that its design philosophy continues to resonate with players.