Hollow Knight Hits a Staggering 15 Million Sales, Cementing Its Indie Legacy

In a powerful and long-awaited announcement, Team Cherry has confirmed that its beloved Metroidvania title, Hollow Knight, has officially surpassed an incredible sales milestone of 15 million units sold across all platforms. This monumental achievement was revealed in an interview with Bloomberg, coinciding with the highly anticipated announcement of a definitive release date for the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong. The sales update is a stunning testament to the enduring appeal of the game, proving that its grim world, challenging combat, and intricate level design have resonated with a global audience for years after its initial release in 2017. The number is particularly remarkable for an indie game and puts it in the same league as some of the most commercially successful titles of all time.

The last official sales update from Team Cherry came in February 2019, when the studio announced that Hollow Knight had sold a commendable 2.8 million copies. This latest report means that the game has sold an astonishing 12.2 million additional copies in the six years since the announcement of Silksong. This phenomenal growth is a direct result of the continuous and intense hype surrounding the sequel. The unending speculation, fan-made content, and the sheer length of the wait for Silksong have created a unique and powerful marketing engine for the original game. Fans and newcomers alike have flocked to Hallownest, eager to experience the game that birthed one of the most anticipated sequels in video game history. The game’s availability across PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms has also contributed to its widespread success, making it accessible to a massive audience.

The “Silksong Effect”: The Financial Freedom of Hype

The skyrocketing sales of Hollow Knight following the Silksong reveal have had a profound impact on the development of the sequel. For years, as the community grew more and more anxious about the lack of news, the game’s sales continued to climb. This provided Team Cherry, a small team of three core developers, with the financial freedom and creative independence to take their time and build Silksong without any outside pressure or creative compromise. As one of the developers told Bloomberg, the massive influx of revenue allowed them to focus on creating the game they envisioned, adding new content and mechanics that would have been impossible on a more restrictive budget or timeline. The long development cycle, often the subject of endless memes and jokes, was in fact a deliberate process fueled by the game’s commercial success. It was not a sign of “development hell,” but rather a testament to the team’s meticulous design philosophy and ambition.

The sales numbers are a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that independent studios must rush their projects to stay afloat. Hollow Knight‘s continued success proves that a high-quality, lovingly crafted game with a dedicated community can have a long and incredibly profitable tail. This is a crucial point for the indie gaming industry. The success of Hollow Knight has shown that a patient, player-first approach to development can be a viable and even more lucrative business model. The 15 million sales milestone is not just a win for Team Cherry; it is a win for the entire indie development community, proving that a compelling and unique vision can stand shoulder to shoulder with AAA blockbusters in terms of commercial success.

Beyond the Numbers: A Cultural Phenomenon

The success of Hollow Knight extends far beyond its impressive sales figures. The game has become a cultural touchstone within the gaming community, with its lore, characters, and haunting soundtrack inspiring countless fan creations. The game’s influence can be seen in numerous other indie titles, and its design philosophy is often held up as an example of masterful game development. The 15 million milestone solidifies its place as one of the most important and influential games of the last decade. It has captivated players not only with its challenging gameplay but also with its emotional storytelling and profound sense of atmosphere. The sales are a reflection of a game that has transcended its genre to become a must-play experience for a wide range of gamers.

With Hollow Knight: Silksong now confirmed for release on September 4, 2025, the conversation will soon shift from the original game’s success to the sequel’s potential. However, the legacy of the original Hollow Knight is now firmly cemented. The 15 million sales milestone is a powerful and fitting tribute to a game that began as a small Kickstarter project and has since grown into a global phenomenon. It is a story of passion, patience, and a dedication to craft, and it’s a story that every gamer can celebrate. The sales of the original game have not only funded its sequel but have also set a new standard for what a small indie team can achieve in a competitive and ever-evolving industry. For the legions of fans who have waited patiently, the journey to 15 million sales has been a long one, but it has been a journey worth taking.