A Journey That Almost Never Happened

Did you know that the beloved game Hollow Knight was nearly a mere two-hour experience? That's right! Team Cherry originally envisioned this Metroidvania masterpiece as a small project with limited gameplay.

Kickstarter: The Game-Changer

Thanks to a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, what started as a modest endeavor evolved into an expansive world filled with intricate lore and challenging gameplay. With initial funding goals set at AU$35,000, the ambitious dev team was able to stretch their vision far beyond the original plan.

The Birth of a Community Favorite

Hollow Knight burst onto the scene in 2017, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Players embarked on thrilling adventures through the underground kingdom of Hallownest, encountering an array of quirky yet perilous bugs. With tight controls and stunning world design, it didn’t take long for the game to capture the hearts of gamers, establishing Team Cherry as a formidable name in the industry.

The Development Story

In a revealing 2018 interview, Team Cherry co-founders Ari Gibson and William Pellen spoke candidly about the transformative power of fan support. Gibson stated they had initially planned a game so small that they even contemplated reducing their funding goal by $5,000. But as fans rallied behind the project, it opened up a treasure trove of creative possibilities.

What Could Have Been?

Can you imagine a world where Hollow Knight was only a couple of hours long? This early concept would have drastically changed the landscape of the game, eliminating the rich areas, memorable boss battles, and expansive lore players enjoy today. Now, gamers can sink over 20 hours into the captivating main story, with completionists spending even more time uncovering every secret.

Looking Ahead: Hollow Knight: Silksong

As fans eagerly await the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, set to drop sometime in 2025, it's clear that the original game's success laid the groundwork for an exciting future. The lessons learned from Hollow Knight remind us that sometimes, with the right support, even the smallest ideas can bloom into something extraordinary.