On September 4, 2025, Team Cherry launched Hollow Knight Silksong, eagerly anticipated by fans of the Metroidvania series. However, the excitement surrounding its release quickly turned into frustration for many players. Steam, the digital distribution store, faced significant technical challenges as demand for the game surged, causing widespread server issues and errors.
Server Strain and Error Codes
With no pre-order option available, players flocked to Steam to purchase and download Silksong immediately upon release, leading to substantial server strain. As players attempted to buy and launch the game, numerous users encountered the "Steam error E502 L3," indicative of servers being under heavy load or undergoing technical difficulties related to the Steam store. The error halted progress for some players, leaving them unable to load their Steam carts or even complete purchases.
Although some staff members managed to get the game up and running after half an hour of attempting, others remained stuck, waiting for the issue to resolve. Despite these setbacks, SteamDB reported that over 100,000 players were successfully in-game, highlighting the title’s overwhelming popularity and demand.
Alternative Access Points
For those unable to access Silksong via Steam, alternatives like Game Pass and GOG provided potential relief. While GOG seemed to function better for some users, there were instances of issues with the GOG launcher as well, albeit less frequently than on Steam. Meanwhile, both Humble and SteamDB faced challenges, affecting the player experience across platforms.
The widespread interest in the game marks Silksong as a standout success in terms of anticipation and demand. While the initial launch turbulence on Steam caused by server overload presents a temporary hiccup, players remain eager to delve into the rich landscapes of Team Cherry’s creation, engage with enemies, and devise strategies unique to this long-awaited sequel.
- The Steam error E502 L3 underscores the infrastructure challenges faced during high-demand releases.
- The availability of the game through various platforms widens access, albeit with varying degrees of success.
- The remarkable number of players ready to immerse themselves in Silksong reflects its powerful appeal and the heightened expectations following its predecessor.
Future coverage will delve into gameplay details, strategies for overcoming in-game challenges, and a broader exploration of this compelling new entry in the Hollow Knight series once technical hurdles are resolved and players can smoothly access the game.
