Australian indie studio Team Cherry, based in Adelaide, has achieved remarkable global success with their game Silksong, a sequel to Hollow Knight, which became one of the most played titles worldwide in September 2025.

Created by just three developers, Team Cherry's success demonstrates how small Australian studios can reach international audiences and influence the gaming industry.

Since its release on September 5, 2025, Silksong has topped sales charts, become the third-most played game on Steam, and peaked at over 568,000 concurrent players, with server crashes due to high demand.

The game is praised for its atmospheric, challenging Metroidvania gameplay set in hand-drawn underground worlds, earning a Metacritic score of 92/100 and high praise for artistry and engagement.

Silksong's success has also reignited interest in the original Hollow Knight, which has sold over 15 million copies since 2017 and attracted nearly 96,000 concurrent players recently.

Despite their achievements, the Australian game industry remains relatively small, employing around 2,465 people and generating A$339 million annually, mostly from exports, emphasizing the importance of supporting original game development.

The cultural impact of Silksong is significant, with critics describing it as one of Australia's most culturally seismic media pieces, second only to Bluey, highlighting the game's influence on national culture.

The success of Silksong underscores the importance of video games as a cultural and educational medium, fostering resilience, problem-solving, and connection among players, including a growing Australian audience averaging 35 years old.

While global success brings visibility, it also presents challenges, such as initial negative reviews from Chinese players due to translation issues, which Team Cherry addressed promptly.

The story of Hollow Knight and Silksong illustrates how small studios can shape global gaming culture but also face volatility and risks inherent in international fame.

The launch has positioned Silksong as a potential major financial project for Australia, with a PC download priced at $29.50, and it holds top positions on Nintendo eShop for Switch and Switch 2.

Overall, the success of Silksong highlights the growing importance of the Australian gaming sector as a cultural and economic force, advocating for greater recognition and sustained investment.