In a move that stunned the gaming community, Xbox delivered a major surprise today by announcing several unexpected additions to Xbox Game Pass — headlined by the immediate shadow drop of the long-awaited indie darling, *Hollow Knight: Silksong*. The announcement was made during a special livestreamed showcase, and fans wasted no time flooding social media with reactions to the news.
Widely considered one of the most anticipated indie sequels in recent years, *Silksong* has remained shrouded in mystery since its initial reveal in 2019. Developed by Team Cherry, the game has repeatedly dodged release date rumors, leaving fans desperate for updates. Today’s announcement not only confirmed its immediate release, but also its inclusion on Game Pass for both console and PC on day one.
“Team Cherry has created something truly special, and we’re thrilled to bring *Hollow Knight: Silksong* to Game Pass,” said Sarah Bond, Xbox President of Game Creator Experience and Ecosystem. “This is a passion project for many gamers, and we’re proud to give it the spotlight it truly deserves.”
The shadow drop follows a growing trend of surprise launches, but few could have predicted this one, especially given *Silksong*’s near-mythical status. Within minutes of the announcement, streamers began showcasing their first impressions, and Game Pass download queues surged across Xbox and PC platforms.
In addition to *Silksong*, Xbox also revealed two more surprise titles hitting the service today: *Replaced*, a highly stylized cinematic platformer from Sad Cat Studios, and *The Wandering Village*, a city builder set atop a giant wandering creature. Both games bring fresh, creative experiences that reinforce Game Pass’s reputation for variety and innovation.
With today’s unexpected drop, Xbox continues to strengthen its position as a hub for day-one indie releases. For Game Pass subscribers and Hollow Knight fans alike, this surprise may be the highlight of the year — and a powerful statement from Xbox as it looks to deliver on its promise of making gaming more accessible, exciting, and unpredictable than ever.