Journalist Jason Schreier spoke with Yacht Club Games executives and reported that after releasing patches for Mina the Hollower, the team will likely return to work on the ambitious 3D Shovel Knight sequel.
Previously, the project was frozen mid-production to save Mina the Hollower. In 2020, Yacht Club made a strategic mistake and divided its staff into two groups. The team responsible for Mina was left without experienced leadership and became bogged down in problems. As a result, the developers had to urgently reunite employees, rework many levels, and rebuild the work of one large team.
Despite the freeze, the new Shovel Knight is in a high state of readiness. According to studio director Sean Velasco, the game is more than halfway done and "close to being ready to show."
The main conclusion the developers drew from this production hell was simple: the team can no longer be divided. This decision alone extended the development time of Mina the Hollower by several years.
Due to the new approach, fast games in the Mina the Hollower universe should not be expected. Even possible spin-offs, including a multiplayer project in the spirit of Elden Ring: Nightreign, which Velasco is considering, have been put on hold. Nevertheless, he promised fans that thanks to the lessons learned, they would not have to wait another six long years for the next Yacht Club Games title.