The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong has become a defining saga of modern gaming. Years of anticipation, cryptic developer updates, and a ravenous fanbase have built the sequel to 2017's masterpiece into a mythical entity. But in a recent, pivotal update, developer Team Cherry may have just upended the traditional game launch playbook, signaling that the first people to experience the finished game won't be journalists, but the Kickstarter backers who believed in the project from the very beginning.
A Community-First Philosophy: The Heart of Team Cherry's Approach
To understand this decision, one must look back to the origins of Hollow Knight. The original game was a monumental success, but it started humbly on Kickstarter in 2014. Over 2,000 backers pledged over $57,000 AUD, far exceeding its initial goal. This community support wasn't just funding; it was a vote of confidence that allowed a small, passionate team in Adelaide, Australia, to create one of the most beloved Metroidvania games of all time.
That community-first DNA appears to be guiding Team Cherry's strategy for Silksong. In a recent and rare communication, the developers broke their silence, not with a release date, but with a clear statement of intent. Buried within the update was a crucial detail that has massive implications for how the game will be unveiled to the world.
The Kickstarter Promise: Backers Get First Access
The key revelation came via the game's official Kickstarter page, the very platform where the journey began. Team Cherry confirmed that when the game is finally ready for launch, their priority will be fulfilling the digital rewards promised to their original backers.
This means that before copies are sent to press for review, before the first influencer gets early access, and before the general public can click "purchase," the dedicated fans who funded the project's inception will have the game in their hands. This process, while logistically sound, effectively creates a natural buffer between the game's actual release to its earliest supporters and its wider critical reception.
What This Means for "Day One Reviews"
This prioritization makes traditional "Day One Reviews" virtually impossible for major outlets. The standard industry practice involves sending review codes to journalists days or even weeks before a game's public release. This allows for comprehensive reviews to be published simultaneously with the game's launch, informing consumers at the very moment they can make a purchase.
With Silksong, that timeline is disrupted. By the time review codes might be distributed to the press, thousands of backers will already be exploring the kingdom of Pharloom, sharing their unfiltered experiences on social media, forums, and streaming platforms. The narrative around the game will begin not with scored reviews from major sites, but with the raw, excited reactions of the community.
As one industry observer noted on Bluesky, this approach flips the script entirely, putting the power of the initial verdict squarely in the hands of players. A recent post on the platform highlighted this very shift, pointing out that the conversation will start with the fans, not the critics.
A Masterstroke of Marketing or a Logistical Necessity?
Is this a clever marketing strategy or simply Team Cherry honoring a promise? It's likely both.
From a PR perspective, it's a genius move. It fosters immense goodwill with the game's most dedicated core audience. The message is clear: "You were with us first, and you come first." This builds a powerful shield of community support before any critical consensus can form.
Furthermore, it acknowledges the reality of modern gaming discourse. In an age where a handful of negative review scores can dominate headlines and sway public perception unfairly, allowing a passionate fanbase to define the game's initial reception could be a much stronger launch pad. The excitement generated by thousands of fans streaming and posting about the game will be a more powerful advertisement than any traditional marketing campaign.
And for those who need a refresher on why the hype is so immense, the captivating official trailer, viewable on YouTube, showcases the beautiful, haunting, and deadly world that awaits.
The Bottom Line for Players
For the average player eagerly awaiting Silksong, this changes very little. The game will still launch on the same day for everyone on digital storefronts. However, the information landscape on launch day will be different.
Instead of relying on a handful of curated review excerpts, potential buyers will have a vast sea of real-time player impressions to draw from. They can watch streams, read Reddit threads, and see for themselves how the game performs and whether it lives up to its sky-high expectations.
Team Cherry's decision is a testament to their unique position and values. They are not a major studio beholden to stockholders and strict marketing timelines. They are a small, independent team whose success was built on a direct relationship with their players. By prioritizing their Kickstarter backers, they are staying true to the community-driven spirit that made Hollow Knight a classic in the first place. The review codes will come, the scores will be posted, but the first word on Hollow Knight: Silksong will belong to the fans.
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