Team Cherry has charted the future for Hollow Knight: Silksong, announcing the "Sea of Sorrow"—a major free expansion launching in 2026. The kingdom of Pharloom is about to get a whole lot wetter. In a stunning move that has electrified its dedicated fanbase, the Australian developer has unveiled the next major chapter for its critically acclaimed masterpiece. But this isn't just a simple patch or a paid DLC drop—it's a monumental, free gift to the players who have supported the game's meteoric rise. This nautical-themed expansion promises to chart a bold new course for Hornet's adventure.
This announcement is part of a sweeping wave of news, showcasing a dual commitment that is rare in today's gaming landscape. Not only is Team Cherry looking forward, generously expanding the new world of Silksong, but they are also looking back, ensuring the original Hollow Knight experience is preserved and enhanced for a new generation of hardware. From a next-gen upgrade for the classic to new collectibles and cryptic teases about the future, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for one of gaming's most beloved indie franchises.
Charting the Sea of Sorrow: Silksong's Nautical Expansion
The headline act is, without a doubt, the "Sea of Sorrow" expansion. Announced as a free update, this DLC is poised to be a substantial content infusion for Silksong. True to its evocative name, the expansion will introduce a nautical theme, suggesting players will guide Hornet through flooded caverns, sunken ruins, or perhaps even onto the decks of ghostly vessels adrift in Pharloom's depths.
Team Cherry has confirmed that "Sea of Sorrow" will bring with it new areas, bosses, and tools, effectively extending the game's lifespan and exploration potential significantly. The targeted 2026 release window is particularly meaningful. It signals a robust, long-term post-launch commitment from the developer, moving beyond bug fixes to deliver a full-fledged adventure within an adventure. For a game that spent years in development, this pledge of substantial free content reinforces Team Cherry's player-first philosophy and deep passion for their own universe.
Silksong's Stellar Launch: The Foundation for Growth
This generous post-launch plan is built upon a foundation of phenomenal success. Released on September 4, 2025, Hollow Knight: Silksong launched simultaneously across nearly every modern platform, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.
The gamble—if you could even call the release of one of the most anticipated games of the decade a gamble—paid off spectacularly. Team Cherry recently confirmed the game has sold over 7 million copies, a staggering figure for an indie title, with millions more experiencing Hornet's journey through Game Pass. This commercial triumph was mirrored by critical acclaim, culminating at The Game Awards 2025 where Silksong received five nominations and took home the award for Best Action/Adventure Game. This massive success has clearly provided Team Cherry with the resources and confidence to invest back into the game with ambitious free content like "Sea of Sorrow."
Returning to Hallownest: The Original Hollow Knight Gets a Next-Gen Boost
In a move that has delighted long-time fans, Team Cherry is not forgetting the game that started it all. Alongside the Silksong expansion news came the announcement of a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the original Hollow Knight, also slated for 2026.
This isn't a simple re-listing. The Switch 2 Edition is being built to harness the new hardware's capabilities, promising high frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and additional graphical effects to make the decayed beauty of Hallownest shine like never before on a Nintendo platform. Most commendably, Team Cherry has confirmed that existing Nintendo Switch owners will receive this Switch 2 upgrade for free, a consumer-friendly policy that stands in stark contrast to the industry's typical paid remaster path.
The support extends beyond the upcoming hardware. Team Cherry is also rolling out feature and bug-fix updates for Hollow Knight on all its current platforms. PC players are already getting a taste of this, with public beta branches on Steam and GOG testing new features, including highly-requested support for 16:10 and 21:9 aspect ratios.
Beyond the Game: Collectibles and Future Whispers
Team Cherry's support extends beyond software updates and into the tangible world of collectibles. For collectors, a new series of officially licensed Silksong character mini-figurines, created in collaboration with Studio Tyto and Fangamer, is now available for pre-order, allowing fans to bring a piece of Pharloom to their shelves.
Perhaps the most tantalizing nugget of information, however, was Team Cherry's hint that they have more plans for the series in the works for 2026. This vague tease has immediately ignited the community's speculation engines. Could this hint at further DLC, a smaller-scale content drop, or something else entirely? It positions 2026 not as an endpoint, but as another exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of this deeply cherished franchise.
Team Cherry's latest announcements paint a picture of a developer operating at the peak of its powers, guided by a profound respect for its community and its own creations. They are simultaneously navigating the future with the ambitious, free "Sea of Sorrow" expansion for Silksong and honoring the past by future-proofing the original Hollow Knight for a new generation—all without asking their existing players for more money. In an era where player trust is fragile, this dual strategy of generous expansion and faithful enhancement is a masterclass in post-launch support. For bugs of all sizes, the journey through these haunting, beautiful worlds is far from over, and 2026 promises to be a voyage worth waiting for.






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