How Silksong Became the Most Anticipated No-Show
The games industry thrives on hype—a cycle of anticipation, speculation, and sometimes, crushing disappointment. It’s a formula as old as the industry itself, fueled by events like E3 (RIP), Gamescom, and Summer Game Fest, where fans eagerly await the next big reveal. But as with all things, there is a limit, and it seems Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have found it.
Silksong, the much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight, was announced back in 2019. Since then, fans have been clamoring for any morsel of information, eagerly awaiting updates with each major gaming event. But after years of silence, their desperation has reached a fever pitch. So much so that Geoff Keighley, host of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, felt the need to manage expectations ahead of the event, explicitly stating that Silksong would not be making an appearance.
This preemptive strike from Keighley is unusual. Typically, the gaming community’s wild speculation is welcomed—it builds buzz, drives viewership, and creates an electric atmosphere around events. But for Silksong fans, the repeated cycle of anticipation and disappointment has worn thin. Each Nintendo Direct, State of Play, and now, Gamescom, is met with a mixture of hope and dread, as they brace themselves for another no-show.
The community’s desperation reached a boiling point recently when a supposed lead tester on the game reassured fans that Silksong was not in “development hell.” Instead of providing comfort, it only seemed to inflame tensions further, with some fans accusing the figure of toying with their emotions.
While it’s easy to dismiss this as over-the-top, it’s also understandable. Silksong was officially announced five years ago, and since then, updates have been few and far between. The last trailer dropped in 2022, and since then, Team Cherry has remained tight-lipped. It’s not hard to imagine that they might regret announcing the game so early, given the pressure and expectations that have built up over time.
For now, all we know is that Silksong won’t be at Gamescom. But that only raises the stakes for the next big event—perhaps the Tokyo Game Show? The cycle of hype continues, and the faithful remain hopeful. After all, belief is a powerful thing, and maybe, just maybe, that next reveal is just around the corner.
