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The number "1031" likely refers to October 31st (10/31). Why does that date matter? Because dataminers recently uncovered a cryptic reference in the game’s legacy code pointing to a scrapped Halloween build from 2018.
According to the rumor, the 1031 upd was an internal stress test for cut content that never saw the light of day—specifically:
Hollow Knight 1031 UPD is a fictionalized update/expansion concept for Hollow Knight focused on new late‑game content, quality‑of‑life improvements, balance tweaks, and modding support. This handbook describes features, design goals, mechanics, progression flow, enemy and boss designs, maps, items, abilities, UI changes, and implementation notes to make the update coherent and ready for design or mod adaptation.
"Hollow Knight 1031 upd" is technically the final stable build of the game's "Free Content" era. It represents the optimized, bug-fixed version of the Godmaster expansion. For PC players, it is the standard executable currently downloaded via Steam. For console players, it marks the completion of the game's development cycle on last-generation hardware.
Verdict: The update is essential for access to the full game content (Godhome) and is currently the required version for 100% completion and online achievement tracking.
The Hollow Knight 1.0.3.1 update is a maintenance patch primarily focused on technical fixes, controller support, and localization improvements. Technical Fixes
The update addresses several gameplay-breaking issues and visual glitches:
Gameplay Stability: Fixed issues where players could get stuck behind gates in areas like Greenpath and White Palace, or soft-lock the game after the final Nailsmith upgrade.
Abilities & Movement: Resolved a bug where a "lame floaty jump" would occur instead of a normal jump when using Monarch Wings. It also fixed an issue where charms increasing nail-slash size did not work while wall-sliding. hollow knight 1031 upd
Combat Fixes: Hornet's needle hitbox no longer remains active if she is stunned mid-attack. The Fury of the Fallen charm’s damage multiplier was increased from x1.5 to x1.75.
Shade Management: Adjusted Hollow Shade spawn positions and fixed a "missing Geo" issue for players who rage-quit during a death sequence. User Interface & Localization
Language Support: Added an initial language menu on the first game launch and introduced Simplified Chinese public testing.
Map & HUD: Fixed incorrect playtime displays on the in-game timer and corrected the Shade Marker display on the map.
Controller Support: Improved overall controller recognition and rumble features by switching to Unity's updated input system. Recent News (2025–2026)
While 1.0.3.1 is an older version, Team Cherry has recently announced:
Hollow Knight: Silksong: Launched on September 4, 2025, with subsequent patches (like 1.0.28891) addressing its own technical needs.
Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade: A free upgrade for the original Hollow Knight is scheduled for 2026, which will add high frame-rate modes and ultrawide support. The number "1031" likely refers to October 31st (10/31)
Hollow Knight 1.0.3.1 live for all players - Steam Community
Hollow Knight 1.0.3.1 update, released in May 2017, served as a foundational "cleanup" patch that refined the core mechanics of the game shortly after its launch, paving the way for the massive free content packs that followed. Refined Mechanics and Gameplay Balance While not a content expansion like Hidden Dreams
, the 1.0.3.1 update focused on high-level polish and correcting physics-based frustrations that hampered early players: Combat Adjustments
: The update addressed a major bug where charms increasing nail-slash size (such as Mark of Pride
) failed to apply while wall-sliding, ensuring combat felt consistent regardless of the Knight’s position. Balance Tweaks
: One of the most significant changes was a substantial buff to the Fury of the Fallen charm, increasing its damage multiplier from
. This made "glass cannon" builds much more viable for high-skill boss encounters. Boss Fixes
battle in Fog Canyon was adjusted to reduce knockback while shrivelled, making it easier for players to land hits during its vulnerable state, balanced by a slight increase in its total HP. Technical Stability and Exploration "Hollow Knight 1031 upd" is technically the final
Update 1.0.3.1 was critical for removing "soft-locks"—instances where players could become permanently stuck and lose progress: Exploration Integrity
: Fixed issues where players could get stuck behind gates in the White Palace , ensuring that late-game navigation remained fluid. Shade Mechanics : Adjustments were made to Hollow Shade
spawn positions to prevent players from losing their Geo in unreachable locations. It also fixed a "rage-quit" bug where quitting during a death sequence could result in missing Geo with no Shade to recover it. Atmospheric Polish : Fixed an audio bug where Shade music could be heard at incorrect times and ensured the Dung Defender’s
iconic theme played correctly even if he was stunned early in the fight. Legacy and Context
Team Cherry explicitly described 1.0.3.1 as the "final bridge" before the Hidden Dreams
update. By stabilizing the game’s performance and fixing initial UI issues—such as the in-game timer displaying incorrect playtime—the developers established the rock-solid technical foundation necessary for the intense boss fights and expanded fast-travel systems (like Dreamgates ) that would define the game's later lifecycle. Grimm Troupe content that followed this update?
Hollow Knight 1.0.3.1 live for all players - Steam Community
