Hollow Knight: Silksong Has a Huge Player Base — but Sales May Fall Short of Expectations

The return of Hollow Knight: Silksong sparked worldwide excitement, but actual revenue may not match the hype. Alinea Analytics reports Team Cherry’s release surpassed 6 million downloads across PC and consoles in its opening weeks, placing it third among September’s most-downloaded titles after EA Sports FC 26 and Skate.

Yet the headline numbers conceal a more complex reality: a sizeable portion of those downloads may not represent purchases. Silksong’s presence on Xbox Game Pass boosts total download figures while reducing direct sales. On Xbox, downloads are almost three times higher than on PlayStation, where every download equates to an outright purchase.

On Steam the picture is different: Silksong performed particularly well there, with estimates topping 4 million copies sold and some analysts suggesting even larger totals. This highlights the resilience of the PC audience that supported the original Hollow Knight, which has amassed over 15 million sales over time.

Silksong reached these milestones faster than its predecessor — prolonged anticipation and sustained media attention amplified the game’s visibility. Analysts noted steady player growth, but availability on Game Pass expands reach while potentially dampening direct monetization.

Ongoing updates and possible DLC could strengthen the title’s standing, turning its hybrid launch model — split between subscription access and traditional sales — into a durable commercial success.

Source: iXBT.games