**Yacht Club Games Faces Pivotal Moment with Delay of Mina the Hollower**

In October, Yacht Club Games announced the indefinite delay of *Mina the Hollower*, marking the studio’s first new title since the critically acclaimed *Shovel Knight*. With the game still lacking a release date, studio head Sean Velasco has indicated that the success of *Mina* is crucial for the studio’s future.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Velasco shared the financial benchmarks that would determine the game’s success. He noted, “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.” The studio aims to avoid the financial struggles they faced during the development of *Shovel Knight*, when founder Yatch Club worked for months without paychecks.

While Velasco reassured that the studio would persist even if *Mina* fails commercially, he acknowledged the need for additional funding to ensure their operations continue. This financial strain is a common issue in the gaming industry today, as even established developers, such as Ron Gilbert, face difficulties in finding support for new projects.

The indie gaming landscape has also evolved since the launch of *Shovel Knight* in 2014. With a surge in popularity of genres like roguelikes—games known for their high replay value—Yacht Club’s retro-style *Mina the Hollower* may struggle to capture the same attention. The saturation of new games on platforms like Steam further complicates the situation, making it challenging to draw player interest amidst a cluttered market.

Additionally, the development of a 3D *Shovel Knight* game has also been impacted by the studio’s current focus on *Mina*. After laying off employees in early 2024, Yacht Club has opted to pause progress on the 3D title to prioritize the completion and launch of *Mina the Hollower*. While the founders have expressed interest in revisiting the 3D project, its future remains uncertain.

For those interested in following the developments of *Mina the Hollower*, it is currently available for wishlist on Steam. The outcome of this release might not only shape Yacht Club Games’ trajectory but also impact the broader indie gaming scene in a rapidly changing industry.