Yacht Club Games, known for the hit Shovel Knight, is now navigating a crucial period as it prepares for the release of Mina the Hollower. This anticipated game was initially set to launch in late October but has since been delayed without a specified new date.

In a recent interview, provider Cris Velasco emphasized the importance of this release: “It’s make-or-break for sure. If we sold 500,000 copies, then we would be golden. If we sold even 200,000, that would be really, really great. If we sold, like, 100,000, that’s not so good.” [Translation: “This is a critical moment for us. If sales reach 500,000, we’ll be in a great place. Even 200,000 would be excellent, but below that might be troubling.”]

The development journey for Mina the Hollower has been rocky, with the pandemic impacting the studio significantly. The studio shifted its resources after laying off some staff, focusing on this game, which has expanded in scope significantly over time. Despite the challenges, a successful Kickstarter raised over $1.2 million, showing strong interest from fans.

While the demand for the title remains high, the competitive landscape of the gaming industry makes success uncertain, requiring Yacht Club to adapt quickly as they transition to fully remote operations by the end of 2025. Velasco noted, “If this game isn’t successful, we’ll still continue, but we’ll certainly need more funding. [Translation: We want to stay operational, but we require financial support if the release doesn’t perform well.]”