Team Cherry has officially confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong will not include any form of microtransactions. The clarification comes after a recent ESRB rating for the upcoming Metroidvania sequel listed “in-game purchases” as a content descriptor, leading to widespread fan confusion and concern.
🧩 ESRB Listing Sparks Misinformation
Earlier this week, the Xbox Store page for Silksong was quietly updated with a Teen rating from the ESRB. While that rating wasn’t a huge surprise, the descriptor that followed — citing “in-game purchases” — immediately raised red flags in the fanbase. Some even speculated that the game might include loot-box-style mechanics or paid random item packs.
But as it turns out, the listing was inaccurate.
🗣️ Team Cherry Responds Swiftly
Matthew “Leth” Griffin, a representative for Team Cherry, quickly addressed the situation on social media, stating:
“’In-Game Purchases’ should not be listed there; there isn’t anything like that in the game.”
The statement, which was first picked up by PCGamesN, directly refuted the ESRB’s implication. Griffin also added in a June 13 post that he would be looking into the reason behind the incorrect listing.
🕹️ No Monetization Tricks, Just Pure Gameplay
The clarification has reassured fans, many of whom were concerned that Silksong — a game with a reputation built on deep, handcrafted design — might succumb to modern monetization trends. Team Cherry’s commitment to keeping the experience microtransaction-free reflects the same philosophy that made Hollow Knight a beloved indie gem.
This isn’t the first time ESRB listings have caused pre-release confusion. It’s possible that a placeholder or miscommunication with publishing platforms like Xbox led to the incorrect “in-game purchases” tag.
đź“… Silksong Still Slated for 2025
After more than six years in development, Hollow Knight: Silksong is currently targeting a release window in the second half of 2025. While no firm launch date has been announced, the game is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with a day-one release promised on Microsoft’s subscription platform.
Despite the long wait, fans are still eagerly tracking every development — and this ESRB clarification only further fuels their anticipation for what’s likely to be one of the most celebrated indie releases of the decade.