The release of Hollow Knight: Silksong on September 4 caused widespread outages across major digital platforms, including Steam, the Xbox Store, and the Nintendo eShop. The highly anticipated sequel’s simultaneous digital debut overwhelmed storefronts, temporarily preventing many players from downloading the game at launch.
With no physical edition available until 2026, the digital rollout was the only way to access the title, leading to a surge in demand that knocked multiple services offline. According to Insider Gaming, the storefronts began failing shortly after Silksong’s release at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET / 3 PM BST, highlighting the unprecedented scale of fan interest.
The anticipation surrounding Silksong had already reshaped the 2025 gaming calendar. Several indie developers shifted their release dates to avoid direct competition, including Devolver Digital’s Baby Steps, now slated for September 23. The move reflects just how dominant Silksong has become, even within the crowded indie space.
Despite the outages, platforms quickly restored functionality, though further instability remains possible as downloads continue worldwide. On Steam, the game peaked at more than 103,000 concurrent players within its first hour—eclipsing records previously set by the original Hollow Knight. The surge came only a day after the first title hit 73,000 concurrent players, fueled by anticipation for the sequel.
Hollow Knight: Silksong, which has a price tag of $19.99, can also be accessed at no additional cost for subscribers on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, thus expanding its availability. For fans who waited eight years, the launch has cemented Silksong as one of 2025’s most impactful gaming events.
