Silksong’s Record-Breaking Launch Crashes Digital Platforms

Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Smashes Sales Records

After years of speculation, delays, and mounting anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally launched, and the internet is feeling the impact. The highly awaited sequel from Australian indie studio Team Cherry dropped today across multiple platforms, including Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and GOG, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about video game releases of the year.

A launch too big for the internet to handle

Within minutes of going live, the debut of Hollow Knight: Silksong sparked widespread technical chaos. Players eager to download the game flooded storefronts, leading to temporary outages across nearly every major platform. Steam users encountered the dreaded "E502 L3" error, while Nintendo eShop shoppers were greeted with server codes such as "2811-6011," effectively locking them out. PlayStation Store and Xbox storefronts weren't spared either, with connection issues frustrating players worldwide. Gaming outlets quickly took notice that even Game Pass integration couldn't escape the traffic surge, amd some went as far as to call the launch “the indie equivalent of a Grand Theft Auto release,” a testament to the game's immense hype and cultural impact.

While most storefronts buckled under the weight of demand, GOG remained operational, offering players a stable way to purchase and download the game. DRM-free accessibility and minimal server strain positioned GOG as an unlikely hero in today's digital chaos.

 

 

Originally announced in 2019 as an expansion to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight (2017), Silksong quickly evolved into a fully fledged sequel, starring the fan-favorite character Hornet. Over the years, the project became one of the most anticipated indie releases in gaming history, with countless fans analyzing every trailer, developer note, and rumor. After multiple delays, Hollow Knight: Silksong officially rolled out simultaneously on all major platforms. The day has already cemented itself as a milestone in indie gaming history.

As server teams at Valve, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft scramble to restore stability, social media is buzzing with excitement. Players who managed to grab the game are already sharing screenshots, early impressions, and speedrun attempts. Meanwhile, others are waiting impatiently for storefronts to recover.

The game's success not only highlights Team Cherry's reputation for excellence but also demonstrates the growing power of independent studios to shake the gaming world. What started as a modest Kickstarter project years ago has now brought the internet to its knees.

The verdict: A phenomenon in motion

Hollow Knight: Silksong has set a new benchmark for indie releases. With servers crashing, storefronts scrambling, and fans celebrating, this launch is a reminder that the most anticipated video games aren’t always massive AAA productions. Sometimes, a small team with a beloved IP can create a cultural moment big enough to rival the industry's giants. If you don't want to miss this amazing game, check out our comparator for the cheapest Hollow Knight: Silksong digital download codes.

Fyra Frost

Fyra Frost

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From the days of MTG tournaments coverage to all things gaming, I am interested in the latest games and gadgets, because a girl never can have enough of them!

Best deals for Hollow Knight Silksong

gennyshark
Jan 19, 2026, 8:53 PM
Record Peak Players – Hollow Knight: Silksong did not disappoint. After years of anticipation and sky-high hype, the sequel to the legendary indie platformer debuted with an explosive launch, breaking all previous records and sending digital distribution platforms into a tailspin. Within minutes of its official release, Silksong reached an impressive 500,000+ concurrent players on Steam, surpassing the all-time high of the first Hollow Knight, which stood at 72,916 according to SteamDB data. Silksong surpasses Hollow Knight and crashes platforms. The Silksong effect was felt everywhere: Steam slowed down, the Microsoft Store experienced login issues, and even the Nintendo eShop showed signs of fatigue. It was a sign that the community was more than ready to dive into Team Cherry's new title.
Cryzy
Jan 17, 2026, 8:38 PM
More than just a sales record, Silksong represents a victory for the entire low-budget gaming scene. Seeing a game developed by a small studio reach peak attendance, exceed millions of players very quickly and generate millions of sales is inspiring. This proves that engaging gameplay, strong artistic direction and listening to its community can lead to results that many thought were reserved solely for AAA. A real proof that passion matters as much as the budget
Vinn
Jan 17, 2026, 4:05 PM
This game sold very good because of the style of it and story ofc. All people that have played it loved it. If you buy it also you will LOVE it too... ;) Graohics and music are very nice in this game also. 4 out of 5 stars.
jimmyshaw500
Jan 17, 2026, 1:40 PM
The Silksong phenomenon is more than a commercial success: it’s an earthquake in the video game world. Whether it’s the technical problems caused by the influx of players, the millions of copies sold in a few days, or even the enthusiasm of communities on all platforms, everything indicates that this game has exceeded the status of a simple independent game to become a cultural event. Team Cherry’s developers have managed to create a sequel that far exceeds players' expectations.
Angry by default
Jan 17, 2026, 4:45 AM
with how good the first game was and all this hype all those years and the 20 bucks price tag in 2025 and people complaining that its too cheap and that it should cost more, of course it would sell day 1. but i still think the hype was bigger than it should have been, since the first1 was better for me.
Adna
Jan 16, 2026, 7:57 PM
From a sales perspective, Silksong comes across as a textbook example of a highly anticipated indie sequel that successfully converted years of hype into strong commercial performance. The brand recognition of the original Hollow Knight, combined with intense community buzz, likely helped it reach a much wider audience than a typical indie metroidvania. At the same time, that success also means expectations have been sky-high, so its impressive sales numbers sit alongside a community that is more divided than expected on whether the game truly lives up to its legendary predecessor.
usman
Jan 16, 2026, 4:34 PM
Hollow Knight: Silksong’s launch felt less like a typical game release and more like a shared online event, with digital storefronts struggling under the sheer weight of demand. The immediate outages and server issues weren’t just technical problems—they were a clear signal of how deeply anticipated the game had become after years of waiting. Seeing an indie title cause this level of disruption says a lot about the trust players place in Team Cherry and the cultural pull Silksong has built over time. In that sense, the launch chaos almost serves as proof that this sequel has already secured its place as one of the defining indie moments in recent gaming history.
gif123
Jan 16, 2026, 4:32 PM
Hollow Knight: Silksong’un çıkışı, yalnızca bir oyunun piyasaya sürülmesi değil, adeta bir kültür anına dönüşmüş durumda; dijital mağazaların çöktüğü, sosyal medyanın hareketlendiği bu lansman, bağımsız bir yapımın ne kadar büyük bir etki yaratabileceğini açıkça gösteriyor. Yıllar süren bekleyişin ardından gelen bu yoğun ilgi, Team Cherry’nin oyuncularla kurduğu güvenin ve Silksong’un taşıdığı beklentinin doğal bir sonucu gibi duruyor. Küçük bir stüdyonun projesinin AAA seviyesinde bir çıkış kaosu yaratması, indie oyunların artık sektörün kenarında değil tam merkezinde yer aldığını bir kez daha kanıtlıyor.
gennyshark
Jan 12, 2026, 11:52 AM
Hollow Knight: Silksong has already become a sensation in the video game industry. Less than two weeks after its release, the game has sold over 3.6 million copies on Steam alone, in addition to sales on other platforms. Silksong had already been added to the Steam wishlists of over 4.8 million users. The results show that a large portion of players have converted their interest into a purchase. Indeed, just two days after its release, the title recorded a peak concurrent player count of 587,000, ranking it 17th among the most played titles on Valve's platform.
6970d97a24c35_marek
Jan 21, 2026, 2:57 PM on dlcompare.pl
Artykuł jest dynamiczny i angażujący, dobrze oddając skalę oczekiwań oraz chaos towarzyszący premierze Hollow Knight: Silksong. Autor skutecznie buduje narrację, używając konkretnych przykładów problemów technicznych i reakcji graczy, co zwiększa wiarygodność tekstu. Styl jest momentami sensacyjny, ale pasuje do tematu i podkreśla wyjątkowość wydarzenia. Minusem może być lekka powtarzalność tez oraz brak wyraźnego oddzielenia faktów od publicystycznych ocen. Ogólnie to solidny, atrakcyjny artykuł, który dobrze spełnia swoją informacyjną i emocjonalną funkcję.
The article is dynamic and engaging, capturing well the scale of expectations and the chaos surrounding the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong. The author builds the narrative effectively, using concrete examples of technical problems and player reactions, which adds to the credibility of the text. The style is at times sensationalistic, but fits the subject matter and emphasizes the uniqueness of the event. The downside may be the slight repetitiveness of the thesis and the lack of a clear separation between facts and journalistic assessments. Overall, this is a solid, attractive article that serves its informative and emotional function well.
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  • Technical information

  • Official website
  • Categories : Action, Adventure
  • Editor : Team Cherry
  • Developer : Team Cherry
  • Mode(s) : Solo
  • Release date : September 4, 2025
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