Hollow Knight: Silksong

Playable Hornet is an upcoming update for Hollow Knight which will add Hornet as a playable character. It was announced in a Kickstarter post on the 18th of December, 2014. Its release date is still to be announced.

Update #22 Dec 18, 2014
The Next Stretch Goal!

''Our next goal at $56,000 AUD is a brand new playable character, with their own storyline and exclusive area of Hallownest to explore. Since we’ve gotten closer, we thought we’d reveal who it is! Eagle-eyed backers may have looked at the silhouette on the stretch goal chart and already worked it out, but we can now reveal to everyone that the second playable character will be Hornet! ''

''That’s right, if you fulfil certain conditions you can take on the role of Hornet, the mysterious wanderer who wields a needle and thread! Using her unique skills an weapon, you can delve into a hidden part of Hallownest that only she can access, and help her to find the answer to a question that has been plaguing her for years. There’s still plenty of time to hit her target, so let’s go all out!''

Update #24 Dec 18 2014
''With just over an hour left on the clock, with PayPal and Kickstarter pledges combined, we've smashed through another stretch goal! And what a goal: Hornet will now be playable in Hollow Knight!''

''Get ready to traverse the caverns of Hallownest with needle and thread in hand. And get ready to uncover more hidden truths about the world and it's cursed history. We're already thinking up even more awesome abilities and attacks. She's gonna be something special!''

Update #50 Feb 7 2017
''One of our major Stretch Goals, playable Hornet, is currently being developed. Her move-set has largely been designed, but needs a lots of special attention to come together. Her adventure will be coming after launch.''

''One Backer boss in particular has become a major rival character to Hornet, a mysterious Assassin Bug submitted by Jaspal Boodram. Jaspal’s assassin uses its proboscis as both a blade and a whip. We don’t want to spoil the surprises around this deadly foe, but expect several encounters throughout Hornet’s journey.''

You’ll soon be able to see from playing the game, we take all our extra content seriously and integrate it as well as we possibly can into the Hollow Knight world.

Beyond Hornet's story, two more Backer Bosses, Backer Dungeons, and a very special new village, will be arriving later.

Update #58 May 17 2017
''Playable Hornet is happening! And wow is she cool. We’re so excited for this, and for the very special form it’s taking. Ari’s just finished up on Hornet’s additional animations, but there are still many things left before she’s ready for her big reveal. Hornet’s the biggest update we have planned for Hollow Knight’s future, and you’ll be hearing lots more about it as we go. For now, here’s a tiny tease:''

Update #60 Jul 2 2017
''Playable Hornet - Alongside the 3 content packs, we're laying the ground-work for Hornet. That's a huge amount of work, because we're really going all out on her addition, but we can say 'It's going well!' If Team Cherry goes quiet on Hornet progress for now, just know we're working hard to make her as fast, fun and lethal as she can be. ''

With each free add-on Hollow Knight gets bigger and better
''After that there's one more update, which will add a new playable character: Hornet, the second boss you fight in the base game. "That will be the completion of everything we promised in the Kickstarter," Gibson says. "And Hornet will incorporate some backer content as well," Pellen adds, "some backer dungeons and backer bosses that are still to come."''

We are Team Cherry, the developers of Hollow Knight! Ask us anything!
''Some of Hornet's story will take place in all new areas, though we yet specify how much of her adventure takes place in old or new zones. ''

[There will be a Hornet Steel Soul mode], though it's her own thing, and slightly different.

''Hornet will have her own set of moves and mechanics that make sense for her. We want her to feel unique and fun to play as!''

Bosses

 * Two backer bosses
 * Assassin Bug

Areas

 * Backer dungeons
 * New village

Mechanics

 * New playable character: Hornet
 * Unique moves and mechanics

Misc.

 * Unique version of Steel Soul Mode