Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Surprise Release Just Forced Multiple Indie Games to Delay
Team Cherry’s surprise release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong is already affecting other indie launches. With the original Hollow Knight having sold around 15 million copies and Silksong’s release trailer getting about 3.3 million views in less than 24 hours, a few studios with early-September plans have announced delays to avoid clashing with the sequel’s launch on September 4.
- Which games moved dates and why.
- Official statements from the affected developers.
- Context on how major releases can influence other launch windows.
Two indie games push back release dates
First, CloverPit — a horror-leaning roguelite — shifted its launch from September 3 to September 26. The developers said the change was to give their title a better chance at visibility and to avoid a direct clash with Silksong. The announcement reads: “We poured our hearts into our little game, so we want to give it the best possible shot,” and links to the team statement are available on bsky.app.
Aeterna Lucis delays to 2026
Second, Aeterna Lucis — a fast-paced Metroidvania often compared to Hollow Knight in style and structure — announced a longer delay. The studio said: “After the announcement of Silksong, we are fully aware that our game wouldn’t have the visibility it deserves,” and cited additional challenges obtaining development kits for some platforms. As a result, the team moved the project to a 2026 release window. Their statement, including a note of appreciation for Team Cherry, also said: “We also want to take this opportunity to thank Team Cherry,” and is posted on bsky.app.
Other reactions and context
Beyond those delays, the popular Steam game Peak added a cheeky in-game note after a recent Mesa update, acknowledging that some players will likely take time away to play Silksong. The note was highlighted on Twitter, and the post can be seen here:
I'll be back after i speedrun silksong pic.twitter.com/BGTkAcgO3y
— DranoelW (@DranoelW) August 22, 2025
Historically, major releases can cause other publishers to shift schedules. For example, there was reporting that some publishers had contingency plans in case GTA 6 landed in the same window as their titles. Meanwhile, analysis suggests pre-release interest is a strong predictor of long-term success, as noted in a publisher-focused newsletter: GameDiscover Newsletter.
Finally, the idea that a release date alone sinks a game doesn’t always hold. Titles that launch near big releases have still hit expected performance, and series like Horizon have continued to sell strongly despite competition; for instance, a community post notes the Horizon franchise has sold over 38 million copies (Reddit).
What developers say and next steps
Developers who delayed releases have framed the changes as respect for their teams’ work and for players, while also pointing to practical concerns like platform certification. For now, CloverPit is set for September 26, Aeterna Lucis is aiming for 2026, and other studios may make similar moves as Silksong’s launch approaches on September 4.
