Eric Barone (better known as “ConcernedApe”), the creator of the immensely popular farming sim Stardew Valley, recently announced that he is working on a 1.7 update for the game. While this is certainly exciting news, it also leaves fans wondering about his next game, Haunted Chocolatier. Will focusing on Stardew Valley updates delay the release of Haunted Chocolatier even further?
Screenshot of image of Stardew Valley courtesy of ConcernedApeThe Stardew Valley 1.7 Update and Haunted Chocolatier
Barone recently posted on social media that a 1.7 update for Stardew Valley is coming, although as of the writing of this article, there is no release date for the update. This caused some concern with fans who are waiting patiently for Barone’s next game, Haunted Chocolatier, especially since he has previously stated that the game could take five years to be released. While it’s great that Barone has been showing so much passion for Stardew Valley post-release, many fans are itching for a brand-new game.
Screenshot of Stardew Valley courtesy of ConcernedApeWhat Eric Barone Has to Say
Barone is well aware of the concern, but he’s telling fans not to worry. He has issued a statement on the official Haunted Chocolatier website addressing the concern. When discussing whether or not the update will delay Haunted Chocolatier‘s release, he says, “Maybe a little, but not as much as you might think.” He goes on to talk about how he has a team assisting him with the updates, though he still maintains the role of “creative director.” Given that the update has no release date, there’s even a possibility that it could come out after Haunted Chocolatier. He defends his updating decisions by saying,
“The reality of my life is that I have a very popular 1st game that I still want to take care of, which means that my 2nd game might take a little longer. It is what it is. I didn’t have to make a 1.7 update for Stardew Valley, but the game is still so popular (in fact, still growing), that it’s hard to just stop improving it when there are still things that can be improved.”
Conclusion
I love Stardew Valley, and I look forward to all the updates. Few other developers have shown so much love and care to an older game after its launch, especially without charging a cent for the updates. Still, I and many others want to see what Haunted Chocolatier is like. The 1.7 update will undoubtedly be worthwhile, but fans won’t wait forever for a new game.
