‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ Release Timing Hurt ‘Hell is Us’ Sales, Dev Claims
The surprise launch of highly anticipated indie game Hollow Knight: Silksong negatively impacted sales of Hell is Us, according to Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, creative director of hell is Us developer Rogue Factor. Jacques-Belletête described the “shadow drop” as “a bit heartless,” particularly given Hell is Us had a pre-planned release date.
The simultaneous release proved detrimental, despite Rogue Factor’s consideration of a delay with publisher Nacon. While acknowledging the difficulty of securing a solo release window in today’s market, Jacques-Belletête believes Silksong‘s arrival overshadowed Hell is Us, a game the studio had positioned as “the GTA of the Indie Games.” Though specific sales figures weren’t disclosed, Jacques-Belletête is confident Silksong influenced Hell is Us‘s performance.
Rogue Factor had already finalized plans for Hell is Us‘s release prior to Team cherry’s proclamation. Postponing the launch, however, would have necessitated refunds for pre-orders and adjustments to existing retail commitments. Jacques-Belletête clarified he doesn’t fault Team Cherry, noting the increasing challenge of finding an uncontested release date, stating, “Nowadays it is almost impossible to find a period in which you launch [a] game as the only title.”
Despite the setback, Hell is Us received a positive review from Invader.be.
