The long wait for "Hollow Knight: Silksong" has officially ended, as the highly anticipated indie game quickly attracted a massive player base within days of its launch. The game's debut on September 4th caused Steam, the Nintendo eShop, and other purchasing platforms to crash due to overwhelming demand, making it difficult for some players to access.
Even with this obstacle, Silksong still reached impressive player numbers and high concurrent player counts.
'Silksong' Achieves More Than 5 Million Players in Three Days
According to a report by Alinea Analytics, "Hollow Knight: Silksong" reached an astonishing milestone, surpassing 5 million players in just three days. This growth is particularly impressive compared to the original "Hollow Knight," which sold 2.8 million copies over two years.
Currently, the original game has sold over 15 million copies, suggesting that "Silksong" is on track for an even more successful run.
Alinea Analytics described "Silksong's" release as the "single biggest indie launch" they've ever tracked within three days. This rapid success can likely be attributed to the hype and excitement built up over almost seven years of mystery surrounding the game.
The sudden announcement of the release date just weeks before launch created a sense of urgency among fans, prompting them to purchase the game immediately, which led to a massive rush to secure copies.
Quality Release at a Low Cost
"Hollow Knight: Silksong" has been a game-changer, both in terms of its quality and its affordable price. At just $20, the game offers exceptional value compared to typical full-price releases.
Hollow Knight released in 2017, sold 2.8 million copies by the announcement of Silksong in 2019, and has since surpassed 15 million sales leading up to Silksong's release. The game now reaches over 50,000 concurrent players on Steam and is featured among the best sellers. pic.twitter.com/ktk6hQUJfr
— GermanStrands (@GermanStrands) August 28, 2025
The price is the same as the original Hollow Knight's 2017 release price of $15, which, when adjusted for inflation, is almost equivalent to $20 today. While the low price is a factor in its success, it's unlikely to be the sole reason for its overwhelming popularity.
'Silksong's' Success Matters
"Silksong's" early success stems from its unconventional approach to game release strategies. Unlike most big-game releases, which follow the traditional studio model, Silksong adopted a unique style that resonated strongly with players, as reported by ComicBook.
Many players view games like "Silksong" as passion projects created by small teams, and they're eager to support these projects to push back against the burnout caused by large, corporate-run gaming studios.
Originally published on Player One
