The highly-anticipated Xbox Games Showcase came and went, delivering a barrage of trailers and release dates for major titles... but for legions of Hollow Knight fans, the silence was deafening. Once again, Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the beloved 2017 Metroidvania masterpiece, was conspicuously absent, dashing hopes for a long-awaited release date reveal.
Sunday's showcase, Microsoft's flagship summer gaming event, was packed with news. From new Call of Duty and Doom entries to surprises like the Gears of War prequel and a revitalized Perfect Dark, there was no shortage of announcements. Yet, for many viewers, the glaring omission was Team Cherry's Silksong. The game, announced in February 2019 and originally slated for release within the first half of 2023, has become notorious for its prolonged radio silence punctuated only by occasional delays and confirmations that it's still in development.
The absence wasn't just noticed by fans; industry observers quickly pointed it out. Respected journalist Jason Schreier, known for his accurate reporting on game development, succinctly noted the continued lack of news on Bluesky:
Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social)
"Hollow Knight Silksong was not at the Xbox show. Still no release date."
Schreier's simple statement underscores the ongoing mystery surrounding Silksong's launch window. Despite being featured prominently in Xbox marketing materials over the past few years and confirmed for day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass, Team Cherry and Xbox have offered no concrete update on when players can finally step into the shoes of Hornet.
The continued delay has naturally fueled speculation. Is the game undergoing significant scope changes? Is Team Cherry, a relatively small studio, simply taking the time they feel is necessary to meet the incredibly high expectations set by the original Hollow Knight? Or are there unforeseen development hurdles? Schreier's previous reporting has suggested the game's scope had expanded significantly during development, contributing to the extended timeline.
Fan reactions online range from weary resignation to palpable frustration. Communities on Reddit, Twitter, and Discord lit up with comments lamenting the no-show, with many expressing understanding but also a deep longing for any tangible update. Memes about Hornet being trapped in development hell abound, a bittersweet coping mechanism for the dedicated fanbase.
Adding another layer to the weekend's Silksong-related chatter was a video shared by ROG Global:
While the content of this specific video (which appears to be a product showcase or event recap) isn't directly related to Silksong's absence, its timing amidst the Showcase fallout led to some brief, hopeful speculation before confirmation that it wasn't Silksong news. It serves as a reminder of how eagerly any potential mention of the game is scrutinized.
The Bottom Line: As of June 10th, 2024, the specific release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong remains completely unknown. The Xbox Games Showcase, a prime candidate for a major announcement, passed without a whisper. While development is confirmed to be ongoing, Team Cherry's trademark silence continues. Fans hoping for a summer or fall 2024 release now have even less to go on, forced to continue waiting indefinitely for news from the reclusive Australian studio. The hunt for Silksong's launch date continues, but the trail has gone cold once more.
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