When Did Development for Hollow Knight Start?
Hollow Knight, the critically acclaimed action-adventure game, has been a favorite among gamers since its release in 2017. The game’s unique art style, haunting atmosphere, and challenging gameplay have captured the hearts of many. But have you ever wondered when the development of Hollow Knight began? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Hollow Knight’s development and explore the journey of its creation.
Initial Conception (2013)
According to an interview with William Pellen, co-director of Hollow Knight, the game’s concept was born in 2013 during a game jam. [1] A game jam is a timed event where developers create a game from scratch within a set timeframe. Pellen and his team, known as Team Cherry, participated in this game jam to create a small game that would later evolve into Hollow Knight.
The Idea Takes Shape (2014)
After the game jam, Team Cherry refined their idea and started working on Hollow Knight in 2014. [2] During this period, the team focused on developing the game’s core mechanics, art style, and narrative. The game’s protagonist, the Knight, was also introduced during this time.
Kickstarter Campaign (2014)
In 2014, Team Cherry launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development of Hollow Knight. [3] The campaign was successful, raising over $400,000 from 13,000 backers. This funding enabled the team to continue working on the game, which would eventually become a massive open-world adventure.
Development Milestones (2015-2017)
Over the next three years, Team Cherry continued to work on Hollow Knight, releasing regular updates and showcasing the game’s progress. [4] Some notable milestones include:
• 2015: The team released a playable demo of Hollow Knight, which gained positive feedback from the gaming community.
• 2016: Hollow Knight’s art style was further refined, with the introduction of new enemies, characters, and environments.
• 2017: The game was finally released, met with critical acclaim and commercial success.
Release and Reception (2017)
Hollow Knight was released on February 24, 2017, for PC and later for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. [5] The game received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its atmospheric sound design, challenging gameplay, and beautiful visuals. Hollow Knight has since become a beloved indie game, with a dedicated community and regular updates.
Conclusion
The development of Hollow Knight began in 2013 as a small game jam project. Over the next four years, Team Cherry refined their idea, created a Kickstarter campaign, and released the game to critical acclaim. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a beloved indie game, Hollow Knight’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and teamwork.
References
[1] Pellen, W. (Interview) (2017). Hollow Knight’s development history. Retrieved from https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/294441/Hollow_Knights_development_history.php
[2] Team Cherry. (2014). Hollow Knight: The Making of a Game. Retrieved from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1399401408/hollow-knight-the-making-of-a-game
[3] Kickstarter. (2014). Hollow Knight. Retrieved from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1399401408/hollow-knight
[4] Team Cherry. (2015-2017). Hollow Knight Development Blog. Retrieved from https://www.hollowknight.com/blog/
[5] Steam. (2017). Hollow Knight. Retrieved from https://store.steampowered.com/app/367790/Hollow_Knight/