The developer of Hollow Knight: Silksong has clarified the game's brief appearance during Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase 2025, where it was shown alongside the new ROG Ally X handheld.
During the presentation, Xbox president Sarah Bond stated the game would be "available at launch and in Game Pass when Ally releases later this year" - leading many to believe the title was specifically timed for the handheld's Holiday 2025 launch window.
Developer Responds to Release Speculation
However, Team Cherry has clarified this isn't the case. Marketing manager Matthew 'Leth' Griffin confirmed on the official Discord (as seen by IGN) that the game isn't awaiting the ROG Ally X's launch and will arrive before the holiday season.
"I confirmed BEFORE Holiday," Griffin wrote, adding "we are not tied to a console release." When asked which holiday he meant, he specified: "Christmas yes."
Potential Release Timeline
The game will reportedly be playable at Australia's national museum of screen culture in Melbourne starting September 18, potentially indicating a late summer/early fall release window prior to the holiday season.
Many fans expected more concrete release information from the showcase, particularly after recent updates to the game's Steam page that suggested an imminent launch. Instead, Xbox reserved its surprise release for Final Fantasy 16 while Silksong's exact arrival date remains pending.
With Christmas now just six months away and the museum appearance scheduled for September, speculation continues about the highly anticipated Metroidvania's launch window. IGN has already previewed the ROG Ally X for those planning to play Silksong on the upcoming handheld.
