August 30, 2024, 19:54:45 UTC – Stardew Valley fans received a surprise proclamation this evening: creator Eric Barone is developing another update for the beloved farming simulation game. The news, revealed during a recent stream, comes after the substantial 1.6 update released earlier this year and despite Barone’s ongoing work on his next project,Haunted Chocolatier.
This forthcoming update represents a notable development for the game’s dedicated community, which numbers over 41 million players across all platforms. Barone’s decision to return to Stardew Valley, even temporarily, acknowledges the game’s enduring popularity and its continued importance to him. While details regarding the update’s content and release timeline remain undisclosed, the announcement offers reassurance to players concerned that development had fully shifted to Haunted Chocolatier.
According to a post on TikTok by jillbobagginz (as reported by FRVR), Barone stated: “After that [last 1.6] update,I was thinking,’I don’t no if I’m going to make another update’. But I wanted to share something with you tonight, it’s kind of a secret… there’s going to be another update.”
The impact of this new update on the progress of Haunted chocolatier is currently unknown. Barone previously indicated in April that Stardew Valley‘s continued success diverted his focus from his follow-up title.
Originally released nearly a decade ago, Stardew Valley has experienced consistent growth and acclaim. The 1.6 update, launched earlier in 2024, considerably expanded the game with features including new NPC dialogues, customizable home renovations, and the addition of turtle pets, effectively elevating the game to a near-sequel status.
As of December 2023, Stardew Valley had surpassed 41 million copies sold across all platforms, with PC accounting for over half of those sales at 26 million units. The Nintendo Switch represents the second-largest platform with 7.9 million copies sold. Barone has also maintained a player-focused approach to collaborations with other games, recently revealing he does not seek financial compensation for in-game crossovers, prioritizing fan enjoyment.
Detailed patch notes for the 1.6 update are available on Eurogamer.
Stardew Valley continues to demonstrate its enduring appeal within the gaming community, and this new update promises to further enrich the experience for millions of players worldwide.
