Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched on 4 September 2025. It was cracked fast. Then something odd happened. Threads on piracy forums urged people to pay for the game out of respect for Team Cherry’s work and price. At the same time, demand crashed major stores. Here’s the clear picture plus UAE pricing and availability.
What actually happened on launch day
Reports say scene groups cracked Silksong within hours of release. Yet posts on r/Piracy and other spaces asked users to buy it instead, pointing to the small team and fair price. Several outlets covered the unusual reaction.
- Cracked at or near launch, per multiple reports
- Community calls to support the devs, not pirate
- Widespread store outages at launch due to demand
Silksong’s release also strained Steam, PS Store, Xbox and Nintendo storefronts. Steam player counts surged within minutes. The hype was real, and the servers showed it.
Why some pirates said “buy it”
The reasoning was simple. Team Cherry kept the price low and offered DRM-free options. That goodwill mattered.
- US$19.99 list price on Steam
- DRM-free version sold on GOG
- Small indie team with a trusted reputation
GOG’s product page labels Silksong DRM FREE. That, plus the US$20 price, led many to argue that paying is fair. Note: the Steam build uses Steam’s normal platform wrapper; GOG is the clean DRM-free route.
Extended thought: this isn’t proof that “fair pricing ends piracy”. But it shows goodwill and access can shift behaviour for a beloved series. The tone in piracy spaces was noticeably respectful this time.
The DRM question
There’s been noise about anti-tamper tech. Here’s what’s confirmed.
- GOG version is DRM-free
- Steam version runs via Steam’s platform layer
- No official Denuvo confirmation from Team Cherry
GOG’s listings explicitly state DRM FREE. Some community posts claim the Steam build runs without Steam once downloaded, but that varies and isn’t official. If you want a clean, own-it-forever install, GOG is the safe pick.
Why this story matters
Silksong’s launch shows a rare thing: respect moving the needle. Fair price, DRM-free option, and years of goodwill nudged some would-be pirates to pay. That’s notable in 2025, with many games pushing US$70+ and heavy DRM.
- Goodwill can affect buying choices
- Price transparency helps
- Access matters as much as enforcement
Extended view: Nobody’s saying piracy disappears. But for cherished indie games, the mix of value + trust can make a difference—enough to shape the conversation on day one.
FAQ
Is Silksong on Game Pass in the UAE?
Yes. It’s in the September wave on Cloud, Console, and PC.
What’s the price in the UAE?
Steam shows AED 53. On PlayStation’s UAE site the game lists at US 22.99. Regional taxes and store settings may vary.
Is there a DRM-free version?
Yes. GOG sells Silksong DRM-free. That’s the most straightforward way to own it without a launcher.
