Team Cherry Ignites Hype With Fresh Project Beyond Hollow Knight
After the monumental success of “Hollow Knight” and the highly anticipated release of “Silksong”, fans are eagerly speculating about what comes next for the small Australian studio, Team Cherry. While many hope for a third installment in the beloved Metroidvania series, recent interviews suggest the developers might be looking to explore new horizons.
The core team, consisting of just three individuals, has poured years into their projects, with “Silksong” alone taking seven years to develop. This lengthy development cycle has led the creators to contemplate their future and the number of games they can realistically produce in their careers.
What is Team Cherry’s Stance on Hollow Knight 3?
In a recent interview, Team Cherry co-founder Ari Gibson opened up about the studio’s future direction. When asked about a potential “Hollow Knight 3” following the completion of “Silksong” and its DLC, Gibson hinted that the team might pivot to a brand-new game. The primary reason for this consideration is surprisingly candid, time itself.
Gibson explained that spending seven or more years on a single project limits the number of games they can create. “The only time concern really is, and we’ve talked about this before, death,” he stated, reflecting on the finite nature of a creative career. This sentiment highlights a desire within Team Cherry to diversify their portfolio and not be confined to a single franchise, no matter how successful. This perspective is shared by other veteran developers in the industry, like Todd Howard of Bethesda and Hideo Kojima, who have also spoken about their own mortality in relation to long development cycles.
Will Team Cherry’s Next Game Be a New IP?
While a direct sequel to “Hollow Knight” is not off the table, Team Cherry is clearly interested in exploring different creative avenues. Gibson mentioned that it would be “interesting for us to explore the same things we’re interested in but maybe in a slightly different genre, slightly different theme.” This suggests that even if they step away from the world of Hallownest, their next project will likely retain the core elements that fans adore.
Fans of Team Cherry can expect any new game to feature the studio’s signature style. Gibson assured that their future titles will still be about “exploring big worlds full of weird characters and giant bosses and whatnot.” This means that the spirit of exploration, challenging combat, and unique world-building that defined “Hollow Knight” will carry over into their next endeavor, providing a familiar yet fresh experience.
The team’s desire to avoid being known solely as “the Hollow Knight people” is a strong motivator for them to branch out. By tackling a new IP, Team Cherry can flex their creative muscles and prove their versatility as game developers.
What Does This Mean for Hollow Knight Fans?
The news that Team Cherry might not immediately jump into “Hollow Knight 3” may be disappointing for some, but it also presents an exciting possibility. A new game from the studio means a new world to discover, new lore to unravel, and new characters to meet. Given their track record, whatever they create is bound to be a high-quality, memorable experience.
Furthermore, Gibson confirmed that they “do have ideas” for what future “Hollow Knight” games could look like, so a return to that universe is still a possibility down the line. Perhaps a break to work on a different project will provide them with fresh inspiration and renewed energy to revisit Hallownest with an even more ambitious vision. For now, fans have the release of “Silksong” and its subsequent DLC to look forward to, which will surely offer countless hours of challenging platforming and rich storytelling. The future for Team Cherry is bright, whether it lies in the familiar depths of Hallownest or in a completely new world of their own making.
