Indie Games Delay En Masse to Avoid Hollow Knight Silksong’s Release

Indies scrambled their September launches as one highly anticipated sequel threatened to swallow attention across the entire industry.

Hollow Knight: Silksong finally confirmed its release date. Team Cherry announced the long-awaited sequel for September 4, 2025.

The news reshaped the indie calendar. Smaller studios suddenly faced the impossible task of standing out beside one of the most anticipated games of the decade. Launching beside Silksong felt like guaranteed invisibility.

Developers had two choices. Risk everything and release as planned. Or delay, wait, and hope for a clearer spotlight later. Many chose the second option. The wave of delays defined September’s indie scene.

Every Indie Game Delayed Because of Silksong

Little Witch in the Woods delayed from September 4 to September 15. Developer Sunny Side Up explained the short delay was unavoidable. They apologized and promised improvements that would make the wait worthwhile.

Demonschool also blinked. The tactical RPG from Necrosoft shifted from September 3 to November 19.

CloverPit and Stomp and the Sword of Miracles both jumped from September 3 to September 26.

Faeland postponed its September 9 launch without a new date. Aeterna Lucis went even further. The Metroidvania sequel moved entirely into 2026.

Silksong created a tidal pull few indies dared to resist. Developers described themselves as “krill avoiding a whale.” The metaphor spread quickly. It captured the feeling of fighting for air around such a massive release.

Many teams stressed that the decision was not only about fear. Delays also gave them more polish time. Still, Silksong’s gravitational force clearly shaped the timing.

Some may suggest the risk was overstated. Not every player planning to buy Silksong would ignore every other release. But perception mattered. Streamers, critics, and press coverage would center on Silksong that week. Competing with that spotlight seemed reckless. Even confident studios chose caution.

September 2025 showed how one game could dominate an entire landscape. Silksong’s release shifted calendars, delayed projects, and defined a strategy for countless developers. Indies swam aside, waiting for calmer waters. The whale passed through, and the smaller fish lived to fight another day.

About the Author

Cande Maldonado

Editor

Cande’s calling in life is to annoy NPCS, smash virtual pottery, and complete every side quest available in RPGs. Her passion for games dates to 2006, when she mounted a Chocobo for the first time, but she has been writing professionally for the past four years. Under Nintendo and Square Enix’s chokehold, she willingly pours hours upon hours into reaching 100% completion in the longest roleplaying games ever made. But hey, who needs fresh air and sunlight when you can just live in Ivalice?

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