The highly anticipated launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong on September 5, 2025, caused widespread crashes on major online game stores due to unprecedented demand, leaving many gamers unable to purchase the game for hours. This event highlighted the immense popularity of the indie sequel and the challenges faced by digital platforms in handling such surges.
On Friday, September 5, at 15:00 BST, Hollow Knight: Silksong was released globally, but the immediate influx of users overwhelmed key storefronts including Steam, Nintendo’s eShop, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store. These platforms experienced significant outages, with error messages and transaction failures persisting for approximately three hours after launch, disrupting the purchasing process for thousands of eager fans. The technical issues began precisely at release time and gradually improved as stores implemented fixes to manage the traffic load.
User reports on Downdetector, a service that tracks online outages, surged to a peak of 3,750 shortly after the game went live, clearly indicating the scale of the problem. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with complaints and screenshots from frustrated gamers who expressed anger over the inability to buy the game. Many criticized the lack of a pre-order system, which they argued could have mitigated the congestion by spreading out demand over time.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2017 game Hollow Knight, developed by the small indie studio Team Cherry based in Adelaide, Australia. The original game has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and is praised for its hand-drawn animations, challenging gameplay, and rich fantasy world inspired by insect warriors. The sequel focuses on the character Hornet, a sword-wielding princess from the first game, and has been in development for several years, building a devoted fanbase through word of mouth and anticipation.
The anticipation for Silksong was so intense that at least seven other games, including titles like Baby Steps and Demonschool, delayed their own launches to avoid competing with its release date, as reported by outlets like The New York Times. This move underscores the significant impact and expected success of the game, which was developed independently without major publisher backing, allowing Team Cherry to maintain creative control over the project.
Despite the initial chaos, within just 30 minutes of the launch, Steam reported over 100,000 concurrent players, indicating that many users eventually succeeded in purchasing the game, likely through alternative stores or after the issues were resolved. Other retailers like Humble Bundle briefly displayed messages about the game being unavailable due to high traffic but quickly addressed the problems. The rapid recovery showed the resilience of the platforms and the determination of fans to access the game.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges digital distribution services face with blockbuster releases, especially from indie developers who can generate massive, unexpected demand. It also reflects the growing influence of indie games in the industry, capable of rivaling major titles in popularity. The event may prompt stores to implement better load-balancing measures, such as pre-order options or staggered releases, to prevent similar outages in the future.
In conclusion, the launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong will be remembered not only for its gameplay but for the technical turmoil that accompanied its release, serving as a case study in managing high-demand digital events. Team Cherry’s success demonstrates the power of passionate development and community support in the modern gaming landscape.