Hollow Knight Silksong Launch Crashes Steam, Xbox, Nintendo Stores

The launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong on September 4, 2025, caused unprecedented demand that overwhelmed major digital storefronts including Steam, Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, and PlayStation Store, resulting in crashes and download issues. Steam experienced widespread outages, making it nearly impossible for users to access the storefront or download any games, while Xbox users faced server verification errors despite some being able to initiate downloads via the Xbox app or Game Pass. Nintendo eShop and Steam storefronts also reported glitches and slowdowns, and although the PlayStation Store remained operational, it only offered an "Add to Wishlist" option instead of purchase or download at launch. This surge in demand reflects the immense anticipation for Silksong, which followed an eight-year wait since the original Hollow Knight and generated a fervent fanbase that eagerly awaited its release. The launch difficulties underscore the challenges digital platforms face in handling massive simultaneous traffic spikes for highly anticipated indie titles, a phenomenon more commonly associated with blockbuster AAA games. Despite these issues, Silksong's release marks a significant milestone for Team Cherry and the indie gaming community as a whole.