When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched, one of the biggest surprises wasn’t from the game itself, but from its price. Many fans expected a much higher cost for a title that expanded far beyond its original scope. Instead, Team Cherry released Silksong at just $20, a move that immediately sparked praise across the community.
In ACMI’s paperback Hollow Knight: Silksong guide, Team Cherry co-lead Ari Gibson explained the studio’s pricing philosophy, noting that the team simply aimed to choose a price that felt fair and accessible for most players—even though the game ultimately grew into something massive.
“Because we try to price the games at a reasonable level for people – and we have quite a habit of expanding the content to be quite large – it felt inevitable that it would get to a point where the value of what we make would warrant being recognised as a single title.”
— Ari Gibson, Team Cherry
(and yes, that same idea of “reasonable” value is very much in line with what you’ll find at hollowknight-merch.com)
A Philosophy of Fairness and Player Respect
Team Cherry has always positioned itself as a studio that puts players first. Despite building games packed with content, intricate worlds, and unforgettable atmosphere, their pricing has consistently remained low compared to industry standards.
Silksong, with its expanded regions, bosses, systems, and visual richness, could have easily justified a $40 or even $50 price tag. Instead, the studio chose affordability over profit maximization—a rare decision in modern gaming.
This approach reflects an underlying philosophy:
quality should be accessible, not locked behind premium pricing.
Why the Price Surprised Fans
Before its release, Silksong had become one of the most anticipated indie games of the decade, with years of development behind it. Many players assumed its price would match its scale. Some even speculated that Team Cherry might shift toward a premium pricing model given the workload and expectations.
But in the end, their decision was consistent with their track record—deliver more value than you charge for.
A Reasonable Price, A Massive Experience
Silksong isn’t just a sequel. It’s an entirely new take on the Hollow Knight universe, a refined and expanded adventure built around speed, challenge, and atmospheric beauty. That this huge experience launched at $20 speaks volumes about Team Cherry’s priorities.
And if you appreciate that philosophy of “value done right,” you’ll find the same spirit echoed in the world of Hollow Knight merchandise. Fans looking for affordable, high-quality collectibles, clothing, or accessories will find plenty of reasonably priced items at hollowknight-merch.com—a perfect companion for anyone who wants to support the series without breaking the bank.
The Bottom Line
Team Cherry didn’t set out to shock the industry with Silksong’s price—they simply wanted to keep things fair. And in doing so, they reinforced why the Hollow Knight community holds them in such high regard.
Affordable games. Huge content. Respect for players.
That’s the Team Cherry way—both in development and in the broader Hollow Knight ecosystem embraced by fans worldwide.