Hollow Knight: The ‘Small’ Game That Became a Massive Hit Thanks to Kickstarter!

by

Summary

  • Hollow Knight was initially planned as a small project with around two hours of gameplay.
  • The Kickstarter success expanded the game, allowing Team Cherry to add much more to the experience.
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong has been in development for over six years and could be released sometime in 2025.

Initially, Team Cherry had planned for Hollow Knight to be a modest game, but thanks to player feedback and support, it blossomed into the rich Metroidvania adventure we know today. Without the contributions of gamers, Hollow Knight might not have reached its current grandeur.

Although much anticipation surrounds the upcoming release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, it’s important to remember that the initial 2017 game played a crucial role in establishing Team Cherry as a well-known name within the gaming industry. The original game immersed players into the subterranean realm of Hallownest, where they faced myriad strange and potentially lethal insectoid creatures during their journey. Known for its precise controls, innovative world design, and thought-provoking narrative, the game garnered significant acclaim, ranking among the top-selling Metroidvania titles. Following its release, Team Cherry unveiled additional downloadable content, further enriching the gaming experience for fans. However, recent revelations suggest that the final product might have been different from what was originally planned.

Back in 2018, during an interview with Source Gaming, Ari Gibson and William Pellen from Team Cherry opened up about the making of Hollow Knight. They delved into the initial funding objectives for the game and how it influenced the intended scale of the title. As Ari put it, the project’s funding goal was AU$35,000, which mirrored the modest size they envisioned for the game, saying, “It was really a small thing.” William further explained that the game was initially planned to be just a couple of hours long. In fact, they even contemplated lowering the funding goal by $5,000 due to the diminutive scale they were aiming for.

Kickstarter Funding Allowed Team Cherry to Expand the Scale of Hollow Knight

Thankfully, the initial modest design for the game transformed as funds began rolling in. The creators disclosed that the success of their Kickstarter campaign granted them the opportunity to expand the game, thereby enlarging the project’s scope. Indeed, Gibson stated that contributions from fans, coupled with aid from Indie Fund and their own financial resources, enabled Team Cherry to dedicate two years to the development of Hollow Knight, ultimately transforming it into the well-known Metroidvania game loved by gamers today.

Pondering about how different the game “Hollow Knight” could’ve been if it were smaller in scope is intriguing. There might be aspects that would’ve been missing out, had it not been for the extensive playtime required – around 20 hours just to complete the main story, with completionists spending even more time. The additional areas and thrilling boss fights that enriched the game were made possible due to the funding from its release, which otherwise might have remained unrealized.

Initially planned as a compact game, its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, appears to be a grand endeavor instead. With over six years in development, sneak peeks of the game have garnered positive responses from players. Regrettably, a confirmed release date for the game remains undisclosed. However, during a Nintendo Direct presentation, a 2025 release window was hinted at, suggesting that Team Cherry’s next project may become available to fans this year.

Read More

2025-04-13 21:24