Yacht Club Games, renowned for their breakout hit Shovel Knight, is facing significant challenges as it shifts resources to fully focus on the upcoming action-adventure title, Mina the Hollower, set for release on Nintendo Switch and the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
A recent in-depth report from Bloomberg highlights the trials endured by the independent developer, including financial strains, a turbulent development cycle, and pivots in studio strategy. In the years since Shovel Knight established Yacht Club Games as a leading name in the indie game scene, the California-based studio expanded operations, forming two new internal teams.
One group, led by co-founder Sean Velasco and other founders, began work on a much-anticipated 3D version of Shovel Knight.
Simultaneously, a second team took on Mina the Hollower, a game intended to be completed more quickly and bring fresh momentum to the team.
However, complications—including the global Covid-19 pandemic—slowed progress considerably, especially as the studio struggled to add staff during a remote work period. According to Bloomberg, the mounting financial pressure led Yacht Club Games to downsize in 2024, resulting in layoffs and a strategic pause on the 3D Shovel Knight project.
The situation placed all emphasis on the success of Mina the Hollower.
In a candid statement, co-founder Sean Velasco acknowledged the critical nature of the game’s performance, explaining: “Mina the Hollower is our make-or-break project.
Reaching 500,000 copies sold would secure the studio’s future; even selling 200,000 would be a strong result.
However, selling only 100,000 units would be a significant concern for the company’s sustainability.” To streamline efforts, Yacht Club consolidated project leadership under Velasco, prompting a near-total restart for Mina the Hollower.
Co-founder David D’Angelo confirmed that the switch in leadership meant the team “basically had to redo everything,” highlighting the challenges of project cohesion and long-term vision in independent production. As part of cost-saving measures, Yacht Club Games has decided to close its physical office, reverting to a single-project workflow.
The studio will continue to operate but recognizes the financial pressure to deliver: if Mina the Hollower underperforms, Velasco has stated that while the studio would persist, new funding would become essential to its continued operation. Despite these hurdles, fans eagerly await Mina the Hollower’s arrival on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with anticipation building for its classic-inspired gameplay and Yacht Club’s trademark polish.
The decision to delay the title reflects the studio’s desire to ensure quality, even as it navigates turbulent circumstances—a testament to Yacht Club’s enduring commitment to ambitious, player-focused development on leading Nintendo hardware.
A recent in-depth report from Bloomberg highlights the trials endured by the independent developer, including financial strains, a turbulent development cycle, and pivots in studio strategy. In the years since Shovel Knight established Yacht Club Games as a leading name in the indie game scene, the California-based studio expanded operations, forming two new internal teams.
One group, led by co-founder Sean Velasco and other founders, began work on a much-anticipated 3D version of Shovel Knight.
Simultaneously, a second team took on Mina the Hollower, a game intended to be completed more quickly and bring fresh momentum to the team.
However, complications—including the global Covid-19 pandemic—slowed progress considerably, especially as the studio struggled to add staff during a remote work period. According to Bloomberg, the mounting financial pressure led Yacht Club Games to downsize in 2024, resulting in layoffs and a strategic pause on the 3D Shovel Knight project.
The situation placed all emphasis on the success of Mina the Hollower.
In a candid statement, co-founder Sean Velasco acknowledged the critical nature of the game’s performance, explaining: “Mina the Hollower is our make-or-break project.
Reaching 500,000 copies sold would secure the studio’s future; even selling 200,000 would be a strong result.
However, selling only 100,000 units would be a significant concern for the company’s sustainability.” To streamline efforts, Yacht Club consolidated project leadership under Velasco, prompting a near-total restart for Mina the Hollower.
Co-founder David D’Angelo confirmed that the switch in leadership meant the team “basically had to redo everything,” highlighting the challenges of project cohesion and long-term vision in independent production. As part of cost-saving measures, Yacht Club Games has decided to close its physical office, reverting to a single-project workflow.
The studio will continue to operate but recognizes the financial pressure to deliver: if Mina the Hollower underperforms, Velasco has stated that while the studio would persist, new funding would become essential to its continued operation. Despite these hurdles, fans eagerly await Mina the Hollower’s arrival on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with anticipation building for its classic-inspired gameplay and Yacht Club’s trademark polish.
The decision to delay the title reflects the studio’s desire to ensure quality, even as it navigates turbulent circumstances—a testament to Yacht Club’s enduring commitment to ambitious, player-focused development on leading Nintendo hardware.
