The original idea for "Hollow Knight" was just to create a small Metroidvania game, with a development scope much smaller than what it eventually became. In a 2018 interview, Team Cherry's co-directors Ari Gibson and William Pellen shared that their initial crowdfunding target of AUD 35,000 was meant to cover only around two hours of gameplay.

"The figure refers to a very small-scale Metroidvania game, essentially just a minor project," Gibson remarked. Pellen further explained that the initial plan was for "approximately two hours of gameplay."
However, the final sum of 58,000 AUD raised enabled the team to work full-time on development for two years and progressively expand the scope of the game. Gibson stated, "The extra funds allowed us to include much more content than we originally envisioned."

It’s important to note that the eagerly awaited sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has faced multiple delays in its development. These setbacks are largely attributed to the developers’ decision for a significant expansion in scope, aiming to create a much richer and more expansive experience than originally planned. Recently, this highly anticipated title has resurfaced in online rumors, notably concerning the speculated Nintendo Switch 2 console. Meanwhile, for players eager to delve into the world or revisit its depths while they wait, Xbox offers a timely reminder that the critically acclaimed original game, Hollow Knight, is still available for enjoyment via their Game Pass service.
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