The Anticipation and Community Surrounding Silksong
Since 2021, Araraura has assumed the role of a vigilant observer for the highly - anticipated game Silksong. On his YouTube channel, aptly named Daily Silksong News, he diligently posts daily clips. This platform serves as a go - to source for viewers eager to obtain the latest updates regarding Team Cherry's sequel to the award - winning Hollow Knight.
The Lack of News Dilemma
Regrettably, the flow of news regarding Silksong has been scarce. A cursory glance at the channel's thumbnails reveals a preponderance of fat, red - lettered “NO.” While there are occasional “YES” or “KINDA” thumbnails, the majority of videos follow a consistent pattern: a brief introduction, followed by the proclamation, “There has been no news to report for Silksong today.” Araraura also maintains a website dedicated to answering the frequently asked question “Is Silksong out yet?” Since the game's release announcement in August, the website has provided a countdown to its launch date.
Silksong: A Labor of Love from a Small Team
Silksong, set to launch on September 4, is not a high - budget, AAA - tier title. Instead, it is the creation of a three - man team based in Adelaide, Australia, with only two projects to their credit. Team Cherry garnered the adoration of fans through their debut game, Hollow Knight - a 2017 2D side - scrolling action - adventure game that has sold over 15 million copies.
The Sensation Before Release
The anticipation for Silksong is palpable, perhaps in part due to the extended waiting period. Araraura, who prefers to be identified by his online username for privacy reasons, states, “When you keep the fan base in anticipation for so long, any news you provide will seem momentous.” He further adds that the discussion about the game and the content created by fans has fostered a self - sustaining community. “Suddenly, individuals who have never engaged in content creation are inspired to produce videos, art, and memes, which in turn encourages more people to participate.”
The Enthusiastic Fan Community
Araraura is not the only dedicated Silksong fan. His Daily Silksong News Discord has over 9,200 members. Online communities, such as those on Reddit, have transformed the Silksong news cycle (or lack thereof) into a meta - game filled with jokes, memes, and factions. For instance, during streamed game presentations like Nintendo Directs, fans inundated the comments with “Silksong,” and forums erupted whenever no news was announced. On Steam, the game, priced at $19.99, currently holds the top spot among wish - listed titles.
The Legacy of Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is regarded as a challenging yet charming game. Chelsea Stark, a former executive editor and critic at Polygon, remarks, “Hollow Knight was somewhat of a miraculous game. It emulates the challenge and skill of Dark Souls games, where you must retrieve your body upon death to reclaim your belongings, featuring creatively challenging bosses.” She also notes that it “perfectly executes” the Metroidvania formula, with traversal abilities that develop over time. Additionally, its distinct art style and unique bug characters make it appealing.
From DLC to Full - Fledged Sequel
Initially, Silksong was envisioned as downloadable content for the original game. However, the creators decided to expand it into a full - fledged sequel. In August, when developers announced a surprise launch in just two weeks, at least half a dozen indie developers promptly postponed their own games. Demonschool developer Necrosoft, in a post on Bluesky regarding their delay, wrote, “Dropping the 'GTA of indie games' with only 2 weeks' notice causes everyone to panic.”
Sustaining the Hype Over Seven Years
Despite a seven - year development cycle, the excitement for Silksong has remained undiminished. Reddit user The_Real_Kingsmould tells WIRED that the community has “largely sustained itself through its exuberance and the occasional morsel of news.” He describes the community's reaction: “When there's no news, everyone is disappointed, and then they start spreading misinformation. When news breaks, it's a day of great joy, with hype posts everywhere, restoring faith in Team Cherry.”
Community - Driven Role - Playing and Lore
Over the years, the community has passed the time by engaging in role - playing based on the game's lore. There was the “sacrifice era,” where a select group of prominent users were designated as “dreamers” (a reference to Hollow Knight characters who traded the waking world for eternal slumber) and a “Hollow Knight.” These members were then “sealed away” (banned from the subreddit) until the game's launch.
Another notable event involved a play on the shapeshifter Nosk, a hidden boss in the original game. Fans began pretending to have encountered fake copies of Silksong around the world, bestowed upon them by “Snosk,” a variation of the bug with a copy of Silksong for a head. The_Real_Kingsmould describes the in - joke: “There were numerous PSA's warning not to approach or pick up any outdoor or unclaimed copies of Silksong. However, some users denied the existence of Snosks, claiming the copies were safe.” This campaign reached its peak when moderators called for anti - Snosk fan art to “banish the Snosks for good,” leading to an outpouring of subreddit - specific art.
The subreddit has developed its own unique lore over time. Even today, users are assigned faction labels such as doubter, denier, or “beleiver” (purposefully misspelled as “there is no lie in be[lie]ving”).
Stark attributes the appeal of Silksong for role - playing fans to its deep lore. “Hollow Knight initially appears similar to a Dark Souls game, as its lore is somewhat enigmatic until you delve deeply. It often presents in riddles, and piecing it together requires time and player interpretation.” The fan communities mirror this, with subreddit users creating their own layered and strange interpretations of the lore.
The Imminent Launch and Community Transition
With Silksong's global release imminent across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the focus of the communities will soon shift from anticipation to gameplay. If Silksong is as rich as Hollow Knight, fans can expect months, if not years, of discoveries and theorizing on Reddit.
Araraura's tenure of tracking Silksong news through YouTube updates is coming to an end. He plans to shut down the YouTube channel, stating, “There's nothing left to anticipate, so no new videos.” While he feels a tinge of nostalgia from his regular uploads, he is ready for the game's launch. “I think I've finally come to terms with it. Now, I'm just incredibly excited for Silksong.”
