In a move reflecting their continued ambition, independent developer Team Cherry, the mastermind behind the enchanting world of Hollow Knight, has confirmed they are already working on new DLC for the highly anticipated game, Hollow Knight: Silksong . While the release date for this DLC remains a secret, the news itself is generating excitement among the player community eagerly awaiting the main game's release.
A legacy of creativity and anticipation
To understand the significance of this announcement, we must return to the series' origins. The original Hollow Knight, released in 2017, achieved phenomenal global success, cementing its place as one of the best Metroidvania games of all time. The game was distinguished by its unique art style, its mysterious world brimming with secrets, and its sophisticated and challenging combat system. This success was not accidental; it stemmed from a clear artistic vision and the developers' unwavering support through the release of free DLC packs that significantly enhanced the experience. Silksong began as DLC before the team's ambitions grew, leading to a full-fledged sequel, which partially explains the extended development period and the resulting global anticipation.
Philosophy of development and quality first
In their recent interview with Bloomberg, the team's founders, Ari Gibson and William Bellin, clarified that they don't plan to take an excessively long time to develop their upcoming DLC. However, they emphasized their commitment to their "development philosophy," which prioritizes quality and perfection above all else, even if it means extending timelines. This philosophy is what has earned them the trust of players, who prefer to wait for an exceptional product rather than a rushed experience.
Possible surprise: The return of “Steel Assassin”
What piqued the interest of fans most was the team's hint that the new content might feature the character "Steel Assassin." This character briefly appeared in an old trailer for the game, but was not included in the planned final version of Silksong. His potential return opens the door to numerous theories about his role in the story and his impact on the game world, confirming that the team doesn't let any good idea go to waste.
Challenges of expanding a massive world
Gibson addressed one of their key challenges, saying, “The real challenge is how to expand on an already massive game while ensuring new players don’t feel overwhelmed.” He explained that seamlessly integrating new content into the core gameplay experience requires intelligent design. The team may resort to “finding ways to differentiate or conceal the pathways to new content” to avoid introducing an overly large and complex world from the outset. This statement reveals the depth of thought the team puts into designing the player experience and confirms that future expansions will be carefully considered to serve the story and the world without disrupting their balance.
