A Passionate Defense of Team Cherry and the Indie Spirit

A Passionate Defense of Team Cherry and the Indie Spirit

Fellow indie developers, fans, and dreamers, let’s talk about what it means to be truly indie, and let’s set the record straight for Team Cherry, a beacon of indie brilliance. The recent shade thrown at Team Cherry for pricing Hollow Knight: Silksong at $20, or for their release timing, is not just unfair, it’s a betrayal of the very spirit that makes indie development so special. Indie devs, by definition, answer to no one but their fans and their own creative hearts. Team Cherry embodies this freedom, and it’s time we celebrate, not criticize, their approach.

Team Cherry, a small team of just three to five passionate creators, has never bowed to corporate pressures or shareholder demands. They don’t rush their games, they don’t cut corners, they don’t churn out half-baked products to meet arbitrary deadlines. Instead, they polish, and then polish again, pouring their souls into crafting experiences like Hollow Knight and now Silksong, games that resonate deeply with players worldwide. Their dedication to quality over haste, to fans over profit, is why Silksong is the most anticipated indie game of our time.

They announced a 2025 release with a stunning trailer this past summer, giving fans and the community ample time to prepare for a fall launch. To claim they didn’t give “enough notice” is to impose corporate expectations on a team that thrives on independence.The beauty of indie development lies in its freedom, freedom to create on your own terms, to release when you’re ready, to price your work based on your needs, not a boardroom’s bottom line.

Team Cherry’s $20 price tag for Silksong reflects their ethos: make exceptional games accessible to as many players as possible. With a small team, they don’t need to charge $60 to cover massive overheads or appease investors. Their goal is to share their art, not to maximize profit margins. This is a choice, not a flaw, and it’s a choice that benefits fans and the indie community alike. Other studios may need to charge more to sustain larger teams, and that’s fine, indie development isn’t about uniformity, it’s about authenticity.

To my fellow indie devs: let’s keep the indie spirit alive. Don’t let the noise of corporate-minded critics or misplaced envy dim your creative fire. You have the power to craft games, apps, or software that reflect your unique vision. You can release when the work is ready, not when a marketing calendar demands it. You can price your creations to reach the widest audience or to sustain your dream, whatever feels right for you.

Team Cherry’s journey reminds us that indie development is about passion, persistence, and connection with fans. They’ve shown us that a small team can rival AAA giants by staying true to their craft, listening to their community, and delivering unparalleled quality.

So, let’s stop the shade. Let’s stop imposing rigid expectations on each other. Instead, let’s uplift Team Cherry for their unwavering commitment to their art and their fans. Let’s inspire each other to embrace the freedom that defines us, freedom to experiment, to take risks, to release on our own terms, and to price our work in a way that feels true. Keep indie, indie. Create boldly, release proudly, and let your passion shine. The world is waiting for your next masterpiece, just as it’s been waiting for Silksong.

Let’s honor the spirit of indie development, together.

-Mike Odyssey

IndieMania Founder

Indie Games Advocate