Stardew Valley’s Developer Moves On to Haunted Chocolatier

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Stardew Valley stands out as one of the most remarkable indie triumphs in gaming history. After nine years, dedicated gamers and casual enthusiasts alike remain captivated by this charming farm simulator. Remarkably, it was created single-handedly by Eric Barone, or ConcernedApe, who has kept refining the game since its release. However, recent developments suggest that Barone may be looking towards a future beyond Stardew Valley.

In a recent conversation with PC Gamer, Barone revealed that he is now entirely dedicated to his upcoming project, “The Haunted Chocolatier”. This game marks Barone’s first venture after “Stardew Valley”, which was initially unveiled in 2021. Since the initial announcement, details about “The Haunted Chocolatier” have been scarce, but with Barone’s renewed focus on this project, “Stardew Valley” will likely remain as it is for some time to come.

Eric Barone May Be Leaving Stardew Valley Behind, But it Likely Won’t Be for Good

Barone’s Dedication to Stardew Valley Has Kept Haunted Chocolatier’s Progress Slow

Recently, Barone playfully mentioned to NPR that he might work on the game Stardew Valley for another 50 years. The nature of Stardew Valley allows for constant updates and content, which has kept Barone quite occupied. Regrettably, this dedication to Stardew Valley has taken him away from Haunted Chocolatier. However, his change of focus is beneficial, even if it means that Stardew Valley will remain unchanged for a while.

It’s great news that the basic version of the game is jam-packed with content on its own. Moreover, an enthusiastic and vast modding community has created numerous additional features and enhancements for players to enjoy. In fact, a mod for Baldur’s Gate 3 has been introduced, offering a lively fantasy-themed crossover experience.

Back in December 2024, Stardew Valley reached the impressive milestone of 41 million copies sold.

He’s changing his priorities, which might imply that Stardew Valley won’t see any updates for a while, but this move could ultimately prove beneficial.

Once Haunted Chocolatier is Complete, Stardew Valley Still Has Room to Grow

Barone confided in PC Gamer that he’s committed to working on the “Haunted Chocolatier,” but he can’t promise he won’t get drawn back into “Stardew Valley.” Even though his goal is to complete “Haunted Chocolatier,” “Stardew Valley” keeps luring him back. It’s plausible that he may concentrate solely on the sequel’s production. Once “Haunted Chocolatier” is finished, it wouldn’t be unexpected if Barone came up with a multitude of concepts for additional content.

The future length of the journey for the Haunted Chocolatier remains uncertain, as confirmed by Barone. We can expect to wait a while longer before this candy-focused game is released, but the anticipation for another indie creation from the lone developer is palpable. Haunted Chocolatier promises to vary significantly from Stardew Valley, and it’s fascinating to consider what innovative ideas Barone has in store.

Previously, the game “Stardew Valley” underwent its 1.6 update last year, introducing an abundance of additional features for players to enjoy. The modifications included new celebrations and activities, expanded dialogue options for NPCs, a substantial catalog of fresh items, and numerous enhancements to the game’s surroundings.

Stardew Valley’s Legacy is Enough to Keep it Going

Despite Barone taking a break, the tight-knit community surrounding Stardew Valley ensures that the game continues to thrive. Given its popularity, it’s only natural for Barone to return to the farming simulation from time to time, but while he’s gone, Stardew Valley is sure to keep players engaged with fresh and captivating updates.

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2025-05-04 18:08