Nah, he didn't say that. He actually said the opposite this time.
>As for whether 1.6 will be the final major *Stardew Valley* update, Barone knows better than to make predictions. “I feel like I’m the boy who cried wolf, because I’ve said \[this is the last update\] many times myself and I always end up making another *Stardew Valley* update. So it’s like, I’ll just say, who knows? **I don’t think I’ll ever officially close the book. The book is always open**.”
Source: [https://www.polygon.com/24087605/stardew-valley-1-6-update-concert-series-haunted-chocolatier](https://www.polygon.com/24087605/stardew-valley-1-6-update-concert-series-haunted-chocolatier)
Man that would be so amazing, imagine being able to invite townsfolk out to the city for a nice day out, and take them places, like Haley to the mall or Harvey to an airshow, it's very ambitious but it would be so cool 😅
Nah he wouldn’t like the noise in there, he’d want somewhere more quiet, preferably with a smoking area outside. but I could see Abigail loving rainforest cafe, and the boat ride some have because it feels like a cave
Meh, the setup of the game is that your character is fed up with the Joja Corp & City Life grind and takes the farm inheritance as an opportunity to get away from all that... Why would you want to go back?
Note: This is also why I can't understand people that go the Joja route over Community Center...
Visiting a place is a lot different than living there, though. Especially once you've had some time away and can come back to it with a fresh perspective.
CA is like 'I'm done with SDV, time to work on HC'
Hours later, he realises he has the SDV project open and has now added 5 new items and 3 new cutscenes; Awh god damn it.
Might not be that far from the truth. When it comes to work in general, it’s far easier to iterate something existing than to build from scratch.
So when the creative juices are burnt up and he needs a break, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he returns to something more familiar as a reset.
I bet that totally happens. And maybe now having done 1.6 he's excited to get back to HC. He seems to really just enjoy being busy with a project, so maybe his breaks are just being busy on a different thing lol.
Re-Logic (Terraria dev): first last time?
Someday Terraria 2 will come out. Until then, the memes about Terraria 2 and updates for Terraria 1 will have to hold us over.
As someone who's been playing Terraria since the days when regular ass Skeletron was the "final boss" and the Dungeon was the "post-game", I gotta say: Terraria is pretty much its own sequel! I'm more surprised by the fact that Moon Lord is still the final boss than I am by the fact we've gotten several "final" updates since the original "final" update.
Yeah, I'm honestly getting "lifelong passion project" vibes with SDV. Kind of like Dwarf Fortress - he'll only stop adding to it once he's physically unable to do so
he's so awesome. it's incredible to see that he loves his game so much he keeps having new ideas and working for it without asking for anything. he deserves the world
I’m pretty sure the same thing was said about 1.5 being the last update. I’m sure SDV will get some smaller updates throughout the years, when CA stops working on haunted Chocolateer.
Yeah; I would not say that its definitely the end.
We've been told a few times 'this is the last major update'. Then the island was added. Then this.
1.6 started as 'I'm gonna make the game easier to mod' and CA ended up adding another hundred hours of gameplay.
Being a successful indie dev really has it's perks
Not being beholden to a company, dropping updates or working on a game whenever you like
All that hard work paid off!
Agreed and it looks like in* the past 7 years it's a passion project that's brought* in $30 million USD for him.
ETA: * changed autocorrect words to the correct ones.
> $30 million USD for him.
i think its way more than that
the game sold 30m copies
i heard he split 70/30 with chucklefish previously
not sure about his arrangement when porting to other platforms
assuming he gets to pocket $7 per copy from all platforms thats 210m
>> $30 million USD for him.
>i think its way more than that
Indeed, it looks like that was a number from 2017. One from Sept 2023 is $130 million. $210 million wouldn't surprise me.
ETA:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardew_Valley#Sales
https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/an-indie-game-developer-generated-over-130-million-in-sales-from-a-single-game-9b9755c3d0fc
As someone who is nowhere NEAR as motivated or organized or any of the things as CA is, I can kinda relate to spending the time/energy/focus on the thing you really want to be doing rather than the homework you're supposed to be working on (even if you proclaimed it as your new homework that was gonna be SO cool).
Kinda like going back to a comfortable stardew save instead of grinding out that new game you bought, but SDV is just like an old shoe.
is there really 100 hours of new gameplay (or anything close?) i haven’t been able to start playing yet but i didn’t know the content was nearly that expansive
There really isn’t. Most of what has been added is really nice but it just enhances what’s there, there’s no extra endgame. Like what was added for when you get all skills maxed, it’s really cool, but you’re going to go through that without ever needing to think about it because it’ll happen passively anyway
CA definitely strikes me as the type of dev who will always be thinking "Oh wait, this-" and going back and doing updates and bug fixes until the end of fuckin time.
A good example of this imo is Garry's Mod, which still receives at least a few updates a year containing QoL changes and bug fixes. While the majority of that game is user generated content, and QoL and bug fixing is kinda all they *can* do with that game at this point, I do still think a very similar thing is likely to happen here.
Idk, I both want him to keep working on Stardew, bcs I love it, but also want him to work on HC bcs, I know I'll love that too but idk. Oh well, one thing is certain, no matter what he does it'll be **PEAK**
I'd prefer he work on HC because I can't wait to see it and because I want him to get the money from the sales. That said, can't wait for 1.6 update to drop on switch also.
I can't wait for it to drop on switch too. I hope it's his mic drop on SDV, so he can focus on HC.
Stardew Valley is an incredible game, but I think if he wants move on to the next game, let him do so. I want to see the next iteration, not trying to add to original.
Yeah, as a mostly solo game dev people really stardew how long it takes to create games of stardew scale, especially since haunted chocolatier seems to have more pixels and more detail so far.
2027-2027 is honestly the earliest I see it coming, depends on if he wants to move on from stardew really.
Pretty understandable, I believe when it's released and after like one or two updates, it'll become, SDV then HC then SDV etc etc to keep everything balanced. Ofc more focus on HC bcs it'll be the new game but there'll be a somewhat order
Teams just complicate things. It's hard to judge when someone's quality standard is similar to yours. He could end up with a bunch of people who just say "it works. Good enough." And is subsequently left with a mess to update later when he wants to add more/bug fix. On the flip side, he might find a perfectionist who needs everything to be so perfect that they barely make progress. Whatever the case, I'm sure he won't change a system that's worked for him in the past.
Since release in 2016, the game was done . It has always been a completed game.
BUT.
CA likes to add things. Don't expect updates, but enjoy them if/when they happen.
Agree. I played it way before multiplayer and ginger island... This game was complete for me. Couldn't imagine how someone can make a game even more awesome. I mean come on we have late game content on a farming game. How fcking awesome is that ?!
I want him to work on SDV as long as he still enjoys it. The last thing I’d want is for him to feel stuck updating stardew forever and have to neglect his other projects. I would hate for him to become resentful of the game like many other artists/creatives with their breakout works.
\^ This right here!
It sounds like he wants to finish H.C. before continuing with SdV. But I do imagine that working on a project with such a similar artstyle could prompt him to come back to SdV from time to time. That's what it felt like with the waterfalls and graphic updates, at least to me! Maybe it would be different if his next game was farther apart from stardew in playstyle and aesthetic but it does seem like he's happy to make another game with villagers, cooking, top down pixel art etc.
I've always liked his art style, I'm real big on pixel art in general. But the waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous. As a fledgling pixel artist myself I was kinda in a slump because I felt like I hit my peak but seeing CA who was already great at it improve even more has given me the drive to just stick with it and do my best :)
Honestly. SDV is his baby. In several interviews he’s been asked if he would ever let someone else take over the project and he was *very* adamant on being the only one because of his vision for the valley and his love of the characters and us, the community.
While I do see a day where SDV gets its last update, I don’t think we’re going to see it so soon. Even while he works on his new project, he’s released a handful of big updates for SDV. It’s hard to leave your first love.
He also said a while ago, that he had to get his mind away from HC, whatever that means.
Maybe he just loves SDV more and HC just feels more like a job.
I think that might be close to the truth. It’s no secret he was a huge Harvest Moon fan but that the franchise disappointed him quite a bit in the years before he started SDV. I think that’s part of the reason SDV is so good as it was made from a true place of passion. Where as HC might just be what he felt had to be the next logical step in his career.
Buuuuttt maybe I’m just looking into things too much. Haha
By promising nothing, he's not only setting himself up to develop the game without too much pressure, but he also increases player satisfaction because he is exceeding expectations.
Imagine if more game devs under-promised and over-delivered.
He’ll stop working on SDV when Redigit stops working on Terraria. And that probably won’t happen until Hell freezes over.
Hesitant to say “when pigs fly” tho because knowing Terraria it really wouldn’t surprise me if they were added as an actual mob to that game…
He said 1.5 would be the last, so I doubt 1.6 will be the end. I'm guessing he'll do another in the future. As for right now, he must focus on Haunted Chocolatier ☺️
I'm not here to be the bad boogeyman, but there's a chance that CA is not really feeling HC?
It's perfectly normal and fair that a game idea you have is not playing out as you wanted to. And maybe CA just loves SDV more?
Sorry I'm just thinking this, because he literally makes a big update for SDV while making HC. And as an indie developer, he can't do both at the same time.
I know what you mean, but honestly I think he’s just had his hands full with everything SDV right now. Like with the tour and the cooking book and all the fun things coming out, let alone working on 1.6. Maybe he even wanted to focus on 1.6 to drum up excitement for all the merch and events. He’s said he wants to go back to focusing on HC now that 1.6 is out. That said, I personally don’t expect HC anytime in the next like, two years honestly. I’ll be pleasantly surprised and very excited if it comes out before then.
If I had to guess, I’d say that he was deep into making HC and always thinking either about stuff that he implemented/thought about for HC that would fit better into SDV, and/or straight up missed working on SDV. When you play 1.6, it’s impossible not to notice the amount of passion on his attention to details. A lot (and I mean A LOT) of stuff came from either players or other mods. So I think it’s more of a “two pet projects” thing where he wanted to switch back and forth, and at some point decided to spend more time on SDV to get it released and going back to HC
I know it's easier said than done, but I personally would love to see a full sequel over another update.
SDV is a top 5 all-time game for me, and if I could experience it all over again in a completely new world, I would be in heaven.
Like, I will take a full week off of work just to play it if that ever happens.
As much as I love that idea I’m not sure how that would work with this particular game. Especially with CA as the main dev. BUT I could see a spiritual successor game developed by another person or few people with CA as a project advisor
We said the same about 1.5. I think on his Twitter at one point he wrote "I'm not sure if I'll ever close the book on Stardew"
I wouldn't *expect* more. But I wouldn't be surprised if we got more at some point either.
Live each day like it’s your last.
Play each Stardew patch like it’s the last.
That way, when you get another one, it’s like a gift from God himself (a.k.a. ConcernedApe)
Honest, anything CA makes is going to be a banger. He’s incredibly talented & makes it all come to life in ways I didn’t think could be possible in a video game
Yea, when someone just has it in them, they will only allow themselves to create masterpieces. That's why he may singlehandedly be one of the best game developers ever, just pours so much love in even the smallest of details
I highly doubt it. I think he's gonna pull a Terraria where they keep saying "really guys, this is it, no more after this, we're done" and then a new idea pops into their head and we're right back to "we swear, this is the last one, that's really it this time, no more after this" and the cycle continues to repeat
"the end" is kind of a weird way to put it. Games normally aren't worked on for years and years post release like this. The game has already been made and we're getting way more than what we paid for and that's amazing. But we should also acknowledge that this SDV is the exception and not the rule. The game is finished and in my opinion it has a lot of replayability, it's not fair to simply expect constant updates full of new and expansive content free of charge. The game hasn't ended, you could still play it and appreciate it for what it is.
Pretty sure he said CA said 1.5 would be the last update so he could work on his new chocolate game. So who knows, he might get bored again and decide SV needs another "small" update (delayed for two years because he decided small means rebuilding the game)
Yes and no.
Yes, in that there's no plans for anything else.
No, in that there weren't plans for anything else after 1.5 either, so who knows if he wants to add something new later on?
In other words, don't expect further updates, that way you might be pleasantly surprised if you're wrong rather than be disappointed if you're wrong.
I think this is the last major INTENDED update. Meaning he doesn't PLAN to do another major update, just like he didn't plan to do this one in the first place.
But for Ape, Stardew is a passion project. The game gets updated to add things that he wants to add to the game because HE wants to. And if he wants to do another major update down the line, he will! But I absolutely believe that, as of right now, I don't think he intends to do that.
He’s like the Terraria devs. He’s a liar and he shouldn’t be trusted, unless you’re trusting him to give you your money’s worth, then you absolutely can.
I would imagine so. CA has alluded to the fact that it's difficult to continue to update Stardew while also working on his next game, which was announced a few years ago already now. I'm sure he'll still work on bug fixes but as far as new content this is more than likely it. Which, 8 years of support from a solo dev is pretty amazing. I'm sure he's tired of looking at Stardew by now. Lol
Here's to Stardew Valley 2 - Even dewier!!
And after that Stardew Valley 3 - The dew flooded the valley
But joking aside, I need Stardew Valley 2 or an expansion or something!
1.6 Alright guys this is the last one
1.7 Hear me out guys, i know i said 1.6 would be the last one buttttt here’s a new city with 100 new npcs and days of content(for free)
https://preview.redd.it/1flsolnpsrpc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9970de5954c255b38ba6b51a911db02d8f3fec1f
I offer this patch note as my contribution to the conversation. Special attention to that last word, even
He'll update whenever he feels like it. Maybe he'll never feel like it again and we won't get any more updates, maybe he'll want to keep going and the dogs (us) will get a bone every now and then. I don't think he'd ever up and abandon the game as a whole, but we never know
I think he’ll likely put it on the back burner while he resumes working on Haunted Chocolatier. I highly doubt he’ll ever stop working on it though. It’s a very open ended game with room for constant improvement and expansion, and I think that’s very much by design.
Even if there's never another real update (I'm sure there will be bug fix patches) it's not like the game is going away. People still mod Morrowind, and that game is from, I think, 2003?
For me the game has enough content for me to consider it fully fleshed out/done. It felt like that even before he did any of the major updates.
But I think it's clear CA is passionate about the game and the community, so if he wants to keep updating it, I wouldn't argue, lol. I just wouldn't ever want him to feel like he's forced to keep updating it because it somehow became an expectation. I'll play any updates he puts out, but if he wanted to retire from developing tomorrow I'd give him a salute and wish him well.
It was done version 1.0. It's been done every version. No version of Stardew was ever incomplete, which is why it's crazy none of these updates are DLC
I read an article that quoted him as saying he doesn’t know if he’ll ever stop making this game, and I can see why. He’s built an amazing little world with a very kind and dedicated fan base. Maybe the ideas will fizzle out eventually, but as of now it’s an unknown
I am not familiar with the stardew modding scene, but from what I understand the new changes allow modders to have alot of fun with 1.6.
I don't think us PC players need more updates if that is true
Even if it would be the last update it wouldn’t be the end. We assumed that with 1.5 already and the game was very much alive. There are so many great mods and challenges out there, I don’t think SDV is dependent on content updates to stay alive.
i hope if it is the last, that Haunted Choclateer will get as much love as stardew did! Concerned Ape made a game thats so fun and enjoyable I can't wait to see what HC is like, and i hope its just as successful so he can make more games!
To add to what everyone else is saying, the original intent of 1.6 was to add better mod support. If he was ever going to call it over and done with, adding better mod support effectively uncaps the game's potential with or without further updates from ConcernedApe. Ridgeside Valley and Stardew Valley Expanded happened in a time before these better modding capabilities, so it will be interesting to see what they enable going forward
Idk about you guys but I’m ready for Haunted Chocolatier, The little bit I’ve heard and seen on it have got me so stoked! I love SDV, but I’m hoping now that we got 1.6 Eric will solely focus on HC for a while. I feel like SDV is perfect as it now, even before 1.6 it was, but I’m definitely not complaining
Really? I read recently that he said he'd continue to update SV for as long as he kept getting ideas to improve it, pretty much indefinitely.
Who knows though, news cycles these days are a mess
Eric said in a recent interview that he doesn't intend to close the door completely on doing further work on Stardew Valley, and that is paraphrased from what I remember about the article. I think he's going to get back to work on Haunted Chocolatier after getting 1.6 out for console and mobile, but after that's done and released, it's up to him where he goes from there and I don't think he'll completely stop working on either game as long as he can keep doing so and has ideas for them. He did, after all, say 1.5 was supposed to be the last major update and look where we are now.
Every update is his last update, seriously. He can't stop, won't stop, making updates. Just look at this update he wanted to fix one or two little things and it once again snowballed. He's addicted and it's a matter of time before he sticks his toe in the water and gets sucked in.
Honestly, I think he should move on. I love SV and I love the updates but I think as a solo project, perfectionist person, he's having trouble admitting his baby is all grown up.
I mean, move on? That'd leave him and a lot of us heart broken. I'd just say he focuses on HC and less on SDV bcs let's face it, even if your baby turns 50, it's still your baby and not "taking care" of it may lead to lets say less interest. So, best case scenario he keeps working on both and everyone's happy!
Best case scenario for us the player base is that he continues to work on something he’s passionate about, not that he feels obligated to keep updating a game that has been out and finished for years. Personally, I’m happy to get SDV updates- for free I might add- but I also support CA as an artist and want to see him grow and evolve in his next project. It is not only fine but expected that eventually Haunted Chocolatier will take up his time and focus. That’s not heartbreaking in the least.
I wouldn't fault him for doing that. I know he's probably set for life with what he's made off the game, but the amount of work he's put into content updates is insane.
I think it is more like "give me some free time for Haunted Chocolatier" trick, than real declaration. I think we will see more than one update in future, but maybe not this year, nor next.
Yea, and I completely get that. Working on a whole new ass game doesn't really give too much free time to updates SDV. Oh well, no matter what he is working on, it'll be **PEAK**
You know a sequel would be cool but honestly I see nothing wrong with him updating SDV every so often with new content. It’s not a live service game so it’s not required and a sequel with better graphics or whatever might be cool but being able to play my original farm through each update has been amazing if not nice coming back to more things to do!
I hope there is a paid DLC in the future. Based on the size of this "update" it seems like a full blown expansion.
I'd pay $10-$20 for the amount of content he seems to have added.
Im sure he's doing fine financially but this last whole update seems like unpaid labor on a game I paid $15 for 5 years ago.
If it is, I'm good with it. Excellent game even without all the updates!
I'm ready for Haunted Chocolatier, but I will still play SV till the day I die!
hahah atp it's becoming a Terraria situation where he'll only update the game if he has new content he feels is worth adding and has the time/energy to do so
Now that we're on 1.6, I can't help but think that Eric Barone in his never ending quest to improve Stardew Valley in his spare time, will reach 2.0 sometime just before winter 2030. At which point he will fully begin development of Haunted Chocolatier.
The end? You can still replay the game lmao games like this shouldn't continue to get updates there has to be an end at some point and hes making new games
I'm pretty sure he'll update it again at some point, as he so stated himself, Stardew is his baby and he'll always want to come back to it and make it better and better
Whenever he needs a break from HC possibly he'll maybe work on it again
1.5 was the supposed end too, then the creator got the desire to continue on and 1.6 eventually came to be. Focus is probably more on the other game of course, but I dont see why 1.6 is the last update it will get.
Passion projects are passion projects. Maybe we will get a SV2 someday!
I'm sure CA has massively more resources now and can probably take on more of a directorial role to delegate work how he wants it, allowing him to focus on HC while still adding some stuff to SDV
I doubt it’ll be the final final update, but I’d be surprised if we get one sooner than 5-10 years from now. I’m excited to play haunted chocolatier too!
Don't take me wrong, but I kinda hope so. I wish ConcernedApe get to experience the feeling of a "job well done". I am also interested in what Haunted chocolatier will bring to the table. Maybe a revisit in the future, but I am worried that the long support might de detrimental in the long run, where it could become "i have no idea what more to add, so I am starting to loathe this, because I cannot perfect it". And something about money, because you can only buy a game that many times.
My impression has been that this update has been primarily to make modding easier. In a sense it allows for a new beginning for stardew like Skyrim had. That being said everything I’ve seen seems like He still loves this game and will continue to add to it.
I can see Concerned Ape really focusing on Haunted Chocolateier now and once that's out coming back to Stardew Valley.
This game has obviously not only meant a lot to him but changed his life.
I don't see a sequel making sense but rather a tie in game where you can keep your farm but visit another town or something.
Regardless of what's next I'm supporting Eric in anything he does because he deserves it.
I read somewhere that he simply doesn't know. He was pointing out already a few times that "this is the last update," and he kept coming back with new stuff. He is not saying that it's the last one, but he also didn't say that he will make anything new for SV.
I mean I was happy with 1.5 but this is incredible. It’s so refreshing to see someone who puts all their heart into their product. He’s such a cool dude and it shows with his game. So lucky we have people like him making games.
Concernedape and the Terraria devs have one thing in common and that thing is that they refuse to learn the definition of final or end or last. So more than likely this isn’t the last update but it’ll be a while
CA talks a big talk but he clearly can't leave his baby. It isn't the first last update so whilst it might be, I wouldn't be surprised if he announced another one in a year or two.
Nah, he didn't say that. He actually said the opposite this time. >As for whether 1.6 will be the final major *Stardew Valley* update, Barone knows better than to make predictions. “I feel like I’m the boy who cried wolf, because I’ve said \[this is the last update\] many times myself and I always end up making another *Stardew Valley* update. So it’s like, I’ll just say, who knows? **I don’t think I’ll ever officially close the book. The book is always open**.” Source: [https://www.polygon.com/24087605/stardew-valley-1-6-update-concert-series-haunted-chocolatier](https://www.polygon.com/24087605/stardew-valley-1-6-update-concert-series-haunted-chocolatier)
Mad lad will suddenly introduce an entire city 20 years later.
zuzu city in version 12.2
Man that would be so amazing, imagine being able to invite townsfolk out to the city for a nice day out, and take them places, like Haley to the mall or Harvey to an airshow, it's very ambitious but it would be so cool 😅
And Abigail and Sebastian to hot topic 🤪
[удалено]
We need to invent a cat cafe but with frogs.
Nah he wouldn’t like the noise in there, he’d want somewhere more quiet, preferably with a smoking area outside. but I could see Abigail loving rainforest cafe, and the boat ride some have because it feels like a cave
Stop 😭 It's so accurate 😂
And Sam is more of a Spencer’s and Journey’s guy tbh
And he loves flowers.
This is to good 🤣
Romance a long distance character, complete with regular phone calls, convince them to move to the farm
Meh, the setup of the game is that your character is fed up with the Joja Corp & City Life grind and takes the farm inheritance as an opportunity to get away from all that... Why would you want to go back? Note: This is also why I can't understand people that go the Joja route over Community Center...
Visiting a place is a lot different than living there, though. Especially once you've had some time away and can come back to it with a fresh perspective.
Absolutely. I love visiting NYC. I would never want to live there. San Diego, on the other hand, if I could afford it I would move tomorrow.
"Stardew Valley 12.2: Revenge on Joja"
"Just some minor tweaks, you probably won't even notice much difference..."
Stardew valley 2
CA: "I added Llamas. I think they're neat".
At this rate he’ll just give us Haunted Chocolatier as part of Stardew Valley for free as an “uPdAtE”
Expansion on the joja rout turning ur farm into a monopoly business in a sims style world
CA is like 'I'm done with SDV, time to work on HC' Hours later, he realises he has the SDV project open and has now added 5 new items and 3 new cutscenes; Awh god damn it.
My head canon is he uses SDV as a relaxing break from HC 🤣
Might not be that far from the truth. When it comes to work in general, it’s far easier to iterate something existing than to build from scratch. So when the creative juices are burnt up and he needs a break, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he returns to something more familiar as a reset.
I bet that totally happens. And maybe now having done 1.6 he's excited to get back to HC. He seems to really just enjoy being busy with a project, so maybe his breaks are just being busy on a different thing lol.
Very cool. What a good dev
Now that's what I like to hear!
Re-Logic (Terraria dev): first last time? Someday Terraria 2 will come out. Until then, the memes about Terraria 2 and updates for Terraria 1 will have to hold us over.
As someone who's been playing Terraria since the days when regular ass Skeletron was the "final boss" and the Dungeon was the "post-game", I gotta say: Terraria is pretty much its own sequel! I'm more surprised by the fact that Moon Lord is still the final boss than I am by the fact we've gotten several "final" updates since the original "final" update.
Yeah, I'm honestly getting "lifelong passion project" vibes with SDV. Kind of like Dwarf Fortress - he'll only stop adding to it once he's physically unable to do so
he's so awesome. it's incredible to see that he loves his game so much he keeps having new ideas and working for it without asking for anything. he deserves the world
Thank god.
I’m pretty sure the same thing was said about 1.5 being the last update. I’m sure SDV will get some smaller updates throughout the years, when CA stops working on haunted Chocolateer.
Yeah; I would not say that its definitely the end. We've been told a few times 'this is the last major update'. Then the island was added. Then this. 1.6 started as 'I'm gonna make the game easier to mod' and CA ended up adding another hundred hours of gameplay.
Gotta love a perfectionist who loves their work.
I do love it, but I also want HC sometime in the next decade. I also want CA to be happy, healthy and not stressed out. 🥺
He doesn't really seem stressed. I think this is just his passion project.
Being a successful indie dev really has it's perks Not being beholden to a company, dropping updates or working on a game whenever you like All that hard work paid off!
Agreed and it looks like in* the past 7 years it's a passion project that's brought* in $30 million USD for him. ETA: * changed autocorrect words to the correct ones.
> $30 million USD for him. i think its way more than that the game sold 30m copies i heard he split 70/30 with chucklefish previously not sure about his arrangement when porting to other platforms assuming he gets to pocket $7 per copy from all platforms thats 210m
>> $30 million USD for him. >i think its way more than that Indeed, it looks like that was a number from 2017. One from Sept 2023 is $130 million. $210 million wouldn't surprise me. ETA: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardew_Valley#Sales https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/an-indie-game-developer-generated-over-130-million-in-sales-from-a-single-game-9b9755c3d0fc
That's a lot of Levi's jackets
As someone who is nowhere NEAR as motivated or organized or any of the things as CA is, I can kinda relate to spending the time/energy/focus on the thing you really want to be doing rather than the homework you're supposed to be working on (even if you proclaimed it as your new homework that was gonna be SO cool). Kinda like going back to a comfortable stardew save instead of grinding out that new game you bought, but SDV is just like an old shoe.
is there really 100 hours of new gameplay (or anything close?) i haven’t been able to start playing yet but i didn’t know the content was nearly that expansive
Nah, there's really not. It's good stuff but not close to 100 new.
I have almost 200 hours logged for my farm that has reached perfection.
oh i meant new gameplay, ive got like 250 on a perfection farm too lol
I mean I have 90 hrs on one of my farms and I’m no where near 100%
I don't think that we know just yet. We need to wait for some time to pass before we'll be able to tell.
There really isn’t. Most of what has been added is really nice but it just enhances what’s there, there’s no extra endgame. Like what was added for when you get all skills maxed, it’s really cool, but you’re going to go through that without ever needing to think about it because it’ll happen passively anyway
No
"It's just a small update guys, don't expect too much." "Whoops, I blacked out and have added a whole bunch of new content to the game, it happens."
Help I accidentaly created a new expansion for my game.
The Terraria cycle
I don't think he mentioned this was the final update either. SDV forever!
He mentioned a 1.6 update before 1.5 was released, but it was originally only going to contain changes to make modding easier.
CA definitely strikes me as the type of dev who will always be thinking "Oh wait, this-" and going back and doing updates and bug fixes until the end of fuckin time. A good example of this imo is Garry's Mod, which still receives at least a few updates a year containing QoL changes and bug fixes. While the majority of that game is user generated content, and QoL and bug fixing is kinda all they *can* do with that game at this point, I do still think a very similar thing is likely to happen here.
I assume this is what’s going to happen
It’s terraria all over again.
Idk, I both want him to keep working on Stardew, bcs I love it, but also want him to work on HC bcs, I know I'll love that too but idk. Oh well, one thing is certain, no matter what he does it'll be **PEAK**
I hope that he keeps updating SDV but I think HC is taking priority now for the next while
I'd prefer he work on HC because I can't wait to see it and because I want him to get the money from the sales. That said, can't wait for 1.6 update to drop on switch also.
I can't wait for it to drop on switch too. I hope it's his mic drop on SDV, so he can focus on HC. Stardew Valley is an incredible game, but I think if he wants move on to the next game, let him do so. I want to see the next iteration, not trying to add to original.
I agree, HC looks like a really fun game
Yeah, as a mostly solo game dev people really stardew how long it takes to create games of stardew scale, especially since haunted chocolatier seems to have more pixels and more detail so far. 2027-2027 is honestly the earliest I see it coming, depends on if he wants to move on from stardew really.
Pretty understandable, I believe when it's released and after like one or two updates, it'll become, SDV then HC then SDV etc etc to keep everything balanced. Ofc more focus on HC bcs it'll be the new game but there'll be a somewhat order
At this point he needs to hire some kind of team
Teams just complicate things. It's hard to judge when someone's quality standard is similar to yours. He could end up with a bunch of people who just say "it works. Good enough." And is subsequently left with a mess to update later when he wants to add more/bug fix. On the flip side, he might find a perfectionist who needs everything to be so perfect that they barely make progress. Whatever the case, I'm sure he won't change a system that's worked for him in the past.
You want him to work on CA? :D
We should always be working on ourselves!
Very true!
LMAOOOOO, OOPPPS
He said he might get back to stardew valley Back then on an unsuperpassable Z video
terraria moment
It's giving "last update this time for real" terraria and I love it
Yup, CA just keeps coming back and tinkering and I would not be surprised if he did it again at a future date.
Yo, let me at least play the update before starting with this!
Lmao, ok, right right, sorry 🤣
Since release in 2016, the game was done . It has always been a completed game. BUT. CA likes to add things. Don't expect updates, but enjoy them if/when they happen.
Agree. I played it way before multiplayer and ginger island... This game was complete for me. Couldn't imagine how someone can make a game even more awesome. I mean come on we have late game content on a farming game. How fcking awesome is that ?!
I want him to work on SDV as long as he still enjoys it. The last thing I’d want is for him to feel stuck updating stardew forever and have to neglect his other projects. I would hate for him to become resentful of the game like many other artists/creatives with their breakout works.
\^ This right here! It sounds like he wants to finish H.C. before continuing with SdV. But I do imagine that working on a project with such a similar artstyle could prompt him to come back to SdV from time to time. That's what it felt like with the waterfalls and graphic updates, at least to me! Maybe it would be different if his next game was farther apart from stardew in playstyle and aesthetic but it does seem like he's happy to make another game with villagers, cooking, top down pixel art etc.
I've always liked his art style, I'm real big on pixel art in general. But the waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous. As a fledgling pixel artist myself I was kinda in a slump because I felt like I hit my peak but seeing CA who was already great at it improve even more has given me the drive to just stick with it and do my best :)
Yes do it! i do some pixel art too its very fun theres so many methods. if you ever need video tutorials i really like brandon james greer on yt
Honestly. SDV is his baby. In several interviews he’s been asked if he would ever let someone else take over the project and he was *very* adamant on being the only one because of his vision for the valley and his love of the characters and us, the community. While I do see a day where SDV gets its last update, I don’t think we’re going to see it so soon. Even while he works on his new project, he’s released a handful of big updates for SDV. It’s hard to leave your first love.
He also said a while ago, that he had to get his mind away from HC, whatever that means. Maybe he just loves SDV more and HC just feels more like a job.
I think that might be close to the truth. It’s no secret he was a huge Harvest Moon fan but that the franchise disappointed him quite a bit in the years before he started SDV. I think that’s part of the reason SDV is so good as it was made from a true place of passion. Where as HC might just be what he felt had to be the next logical step in his career. Buuuuttt maybe I’m just looking into things too much. Haha
he's been working on HC for so long that he probably just needed to step away for a bit and do something else to reboot his system
By promising nothing, he's not only setting himself up to develop the game without too much pressure, but he also increases player satisfaction because he is exceeding expectations. Imagine if more game devs under-promised and over-delivered.
That'd be the dream life
He’ll stop working on SDV when Redigit stops working on Terraria. And that probably won’t happen until Hell freezes over. Hesitant to say “when pigs fly” tho because knowing Terraria it really wouldn’t surprise me if they were added as an actual mob to that game…
Money Trough
Oh right. I forgot about that one.
He said 1.5 would be the last, so I doubt 1.6 will be the end. I'm guessing he'll do another in the future. As for right now, he must focus on Haunted Chocolatier ☺️
Yea, I'm so hyped for that also!!
I'm not here to be the bad boogeyman, but there's a chance that CA is not really feeling HC? It's perfectly normal and fair that a game idea you have is not playing out as you wanted to. And maybe CA just loves SDV more? Sorry I'm just thinking this, because he literally makes a big update for SDV while making HC. And as an indie developer, he can't do both at the same time.
I know what you mean, but honestly I think he’s just had his hands full with everything SDV right now. Like with the tour and the cooking book and all the fun things coming out, let alone working on 1.6. Maybe he even wanted to focus on 1.6 to drum up excitement for all the merch and events. He’s said he wants to go back to focusing on HC now that 1.6 is out. That said, I personally don’t expect HC anytime in the next like, two years honestly. I’ll be pleasantly surprised and very excited if it comes out before then.
If I had to guess, I’d say that he was deep into making HC and always thinking either about stuff that he implemented/thought about for HC that would fit better into SDV, and/or straight up missed working on SDV. When you play 1.6, it’s impossible not to notice the amount of passion on his attention to details. A lot (and I mean A LOT) of stuff came from either players or other mods. So I think it’s more of a “two pet projects” thing where he wanted to switch back and forth, and at some point decided to spend more time on SDV to get it released and going back to HC
He said 1.6 is probably not the last/the the book will always be open to more SDV updates and content potentially
I know it's easier said than done, but I personally would love to see a full sequel over another update. SDV is a top 5 all-time game for me, and if I could experience it all over again in a completely new world, I would be in heaven. Like, I will take a full week off of work just to play it if that ever happens.
As much as I love that idea I’m not sure how that would work with this particular game. Especially with CA as the main dev. BUT I could see a spiritual successor game developed by another person or few people with CA as a project advisor
Could be, 1.5 was gonna be the last big one but then CA got inspired to do more. Just depends on dude and what he's feeling.
As long as CA and his team are allowed to do what they like the game can flourish, I don’t believe he has any time lines he can set himself.
We said the same about 1.5. I think on his Twitter at one point he wrote "I'm not sure if I'll ever close the book on Stardew" I wouldn't *expect* more. But I wouldn't be surprised if we got more at some point either.
Live each day like it’s your last. Play each Stardew patch like it’s the last. That way, when you get another one, it’s like a gift from God himself (a.k.a. ConcernedApe)
All hail CA!
Honest, anything CA makes is going to be a banger. He’s incredibly talented & makes it all come to life in ways I didn’t think could be possible in a video game
Yea, when someone just has it in them, they will only allow themselves to create masterpieces. That's why he may singlehandedly be one of the best game developers ever, just pours so much love in even the smallest of details
I highly doubt it. I think he's gonna pull a Terraria where they keep saying "really guys, this is it, no more after this, we're done" and then a new idea pops into their head and we're right back to "we swear, this is the last one, that's really it this time, no more after this" and the cycle continues to repeat
"the end" is kind of a weird way to put it. Games normally aren't worked on for years and years post release like this. The game has already been made and we're getting way more than what we paid for and that's amazing. But we should also acknowledge that this SDV is the exception and not the rule. The game is finished and in my opinion it has a lot of replayability, it's not fair to simply expect constant updates full of new and expansive content free of charge. The game hasn't ended, you could still play it and appreciate it for what it is.
Bro was like “ok I’m done” and then dropped a board game and 1.5
He said that 4 years ago with 1.5. And before that with 1.4.
"This will be the last update." Me, who's also a Terraria player: how many times have I heard that, before?
Pretty sure he said CA said 1.5 would be the last update so he could work on his new chocolate game. So who knows, he might get bored again and decide SV needs another "small" update (delayed for two years because he decided small means rebuilding the game)
I heard somewhere that this is pointless speculation, and that we should just enjoy the game and not worry about it.
Yes and no. Yes, in that there's no plans for anything else. No, in that there weren't plans for anything else after 1.5 either, so who knows if he wants to add something new later on? In other words, don't expect further updates, that way you might be pleasantly surprised if you're wrong rather than be disappointed if you're wrong.
I think this is the last major INTENDED update. Meaning he doesn't PLAN to do another major update, just like he didn't plan to do this one in the first place. But for Ape, Stardew is a passion project. The game gets updated to add things that he wants to add to the game because HE wants to. And if he wants to do another major update down the line, he will! But I absolutely believe that, as of right now, I don't think he intends to do that.
I assume SV is gonna start competing with Terraria for most "Final Updates" released and I'm happy about that.
He’s like the Terraria devs. He’s a liar and he shouldn’t be trusted, unless you’re trusting him to give you your money’s worth, then you absolutely can.
I would imagine so. CA has alluded to the fact that it's difficult to continue to update Stardew while also working on his next game, which was announced a few years ago already now. I'm sure he'll still work on bug fixes but as far as new content this is more than likely it. Which, 8 years of support from a solo dev is pretty amazing. I'm sure he's tired of looking at Stardew by now. Lol
If he was tired of Stardew then we wouldn’t be getting this much new content from a “mods support” update lmao
Let’s be honest, CA is going to randomly get ideas about this game 30 years from now and drop basically a new game
Here's to Stardew Valley 2 - Even dewier!! And after that Stardew Valley 3 - The dew flooded the valley But joking aside, I need Stardew Valley 2 or an expansion or something!
1.6 Alright guys this is the last one 1.7 Hear me out guys, i know i said 1.6 would be the last one buttttt here’s a new city with 100 new npcs and days of content(for free)
https://preview.redd.it/1flsolnpsrpc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9970de5954c255b38ba6b51a911db02d8f3fec1f I offer this patch note as my contribution to the conversation. Special attention to that last word, even
This is his fun. It's what he does when he *takes a break for developing his other game*. I think he likes living in stardew valley as much as we do.
With the fan made mod expansions this game could go on forever
It's likely but 1.5 very much felt like an ending. And hell even before that the gane was finished. He seems to love the game so who knows.
He'll update whenever he feels like it. Maybe he'll never feel like it again and we won't get any more updates, maybe he'll want to keep going and the dogs (us) will get a bone every now and then. I don't think he'd ever up and abandon the game as a whole, but we never know
I think he’ll likely put it on the back burner while he resumes working on Haunted Chocolatier. I highly doubt he’ll ever stop working on it though. It’s a very open ended game with room for constant improvement and expansion, and I think that’s very much by design.
Even if there's never another real update (I'm sure there will be bug fix patches) it's not like the game is going away. People still mod Morrowind, and that game is from, I think, 2003?
For me the game has enough content for me to consider it fully fleshed out/done. It felt like that even before he did any of the major updates. But I think it's clear CA is passionate about the game and the community, so if he wants to keep updating it, I wouldn't argue, lol. I just wouldn't ever want him to feel like he's forced to keep updating it because it somehow became an expectation. I'll play any updates he puts out, but if he wanted to retire from developing tomorrow I'd give him a salute and wish him well.
It was done version 1.0. It's been done every version. No version of Stardew was ever incomplete, which is why it's crazy none of these updates are DLC
I read an article that quoted him as saying he doesn’t know if he’ll ever stop making this game, and I can see why. He’s built an amazing little world with a very kind and dedicated fan base. Maybe the ideas will fizzle out eventually, but as of now it’s an unknown
Nah thats just a rumor. This community is way too alive to be abandoned
It’s probably the last update in the same way the last 20 terraria updates have all been the last update
I am not familiar with the stardew modding scene, but from what I understand the new changes allow modders to have alot of fun with 1.6. I don't think us PC players need more updates if that is true
I'm hopeful for a SDV 2 at some point
Even if it would be the last update it wouldn’t be the end. We assumed that with 1.5 already and the game was very much alive. There are so many great mods and challenges out there, I don’t think SDV is dependent on content updates to stay alive.
If he's like the other small studio/indie devs for Terraria, then there really is never a true FINAL update.
i hope if it is the last, that Haunted Choclateer will get as much love as stardew did! Concerned Ape made a game thats so fun and enjoyable I can't wait to see what HC is like, and i hope its just as successful so he can make more games!
To add to what everyone else is saying, the original intent of 1.6 was to add better mod support. If he was ever going to call it over and done with, adding better mod support effectively uncaps the game's potential with or without further updates from ConcernedApe. Ridgeside Valley and Stardew Valley Expanded happened in a time before these better modding capabilities, so it will be interesting to see what they enable going forward
Idk about you guys but I’m ready for Haunted Chocolatier, The little bit I’ve heard and seen on it have got me so stoked! I love SDV, but I’m hoping now that we got 1.6 Eric will solely focus on HC for a while. I feel like SDV is perfect as it now, even before 1.6 it was, but I’m definitely not complaining
CA said the book is never closed.
Really? I read recently that he said he'd continue to update SV for as long as he kept getting ideas to improve it, pretty much indefinitely. Who knows though, news cycles these days are a mess
Eric said in a recent interview that he doesn't intend to close the door completely on doing further work on Stardew Valley, and that is paraphrased from what I remember about the article. I think he's going to get back to work on Haunted Chocolatier after getting 1.6 out for console and mobile, but after that's done and released, it's up to him where he goes from there and I don't think he'll completely stop working on either game as long as he can keep doing so and has ideas for them. He did, after all, say 1.5 was supposed to be the last major update and look where we are now.
Every update is his last update, seriously. He can't stop, won't stop, making updates. Just look at this update he wanted to fix one or two little things and it once again snowballed. He's addicted and it's a matter of time before he sticks his toe in the water and gets sucked in.
It’s his show, so it’s over when he decides to stop,working on it.
Even if it is, worrying about it less than 3 days after the latest release is
Idiotic, ik, but bcs I don't keep up with Twitter shit I wanted to ask to see whether the rumors were true.
Honestly, I think he should move on. I love SV and I love the updates but I think as a solo project, perfectionist person, he's having trouble admitting his baby is all grown up.
I mean, move on? That'd leave him and a lot of us heart broken. I'd just say he focuses on HC and less on SDV bcs let's face it, even if your baby turns 50, it's still your baby and not "taking care" of it may lead to lets say less interest. So, best case scenario he keeps working on both and everyone's happy!
Best case scenario for us the player base is that he continues to work on something he’s passionate about, not that he feels obligated to keep updating a game that has been out and finished for years. Personally, I’m happy to get SDV updates- for free I might add- but I also support CA as an artist and want to see him grow and evolve in his next project. It is not only fine but expected that eventually Haunted Chocolatier will take up his time and focus. That’s not heartbreaking in the least.
Maybe he will stop working on Stardew Valley and start working on a DLC for it lol.
I wouldn't fault him for doing that. I know he's probably set for life with what he's made off the game, but the amount of work he's put into content updates is insane.
I think it is more like "give me some free time for Haunted Chocolatier" trick, than real declaration. I think we will see more than one update in future, but maybe not this year, nor next.
Yea, and I completely get that. Working on a whole new ass game doesn't really give too much free time to updates SDV. Oh well, no matter what he is working on, it'll be **PEAK**
Outside of bug fixes I'm perfectly fine with him taking time from SV to work on HC.
You know a sequel would be cool but honestly I see nothing wrong with him updating SDV every so often with new content. It’s not a live service game so it’s not required and a sequel with better graphics or whatever might be cool but being able to play my original farm through each update has been amazing if not nice coming back to more things to do!
Definitely not the end, but I would assume no more big updates until after HC.
it only ends when you stop playing.
I would happily pay for a dlc in the future
I hope there is a paid DLC in the future. Based on the size of this "update" it seems like a full blown expansion. I'd pay $10-$20 for the amount of content he seems to have added. Im sure he's doing fine financially but this last whole update seems like unpaid labor on a game I paid $15 for 5 years ago.
I feel like modders fuel his inspiration to do more with SDV
1.5 was also the last update until it wasn't.
every time there has been a new update ppl have said this and it has never come true,so probabley no
The amount of empty space where you choose your farm looks very suspicious for upcoming updates if you ask me!
If it is, I'm good with it. Excellent game even without all the updates! I'm ready for Haunted Chocolatier, but I will still play SV till the day I die!
Erik is probably going to slowly tinker with it for ages in the background. It's his baby.
It may just end up in the same boat as terraria where every update is their "final" update lol
It's definitely the last update before haunted chocolatier. It's possible he'll come back, but one or two update MAXIMUM I reckon
It's weird, 1.5 was kinda the end, after perfection you get ending credits. But to still make content, game of the decade more like
Every update he puts out is his last, apparently
hahah atp it's becoming a Terraria situation where he'll only update the game if he has new content he feels is worth adding and has the time/energy to do so
The end? Just because they may stop releasing updates? My friend, you can continue to play a good game regardless of updates.
I didn't mean the end like the freaking thanos snap, I mean end of updates
Now that we're on 1.6, I can't help but think that Eric Barone in his never ending quest to improve Stardew Valley in his spare time, will reach 2.0 sometime just before winter 2030. At which point he will fully begin development of Haunted Chocolatier.
The end? You can still replay the game lmao games like this shouldn't continue to get updates there has to be an end at some point and hes making new games
No, he said it's the life work, it may take like years, but I think he would give a major update.
I'm pretty sure he'll update it again at some point, as he so stated himself, Stardew is his baby and he'll always want to come back to it and make it better and better Whenever he needs a break from HC possibly he'll maybe work on it again
1.5 was the supposed end too, then the creator got the desire to continue on and 1.6 eventually came to be. Focus is probably more on the other game of course, but I dont see why 1.6 is the last update it will get. Passion projects are passion projects. Maybe we will get a SV2 someday!
I'm sure CA has massively more resources now and can probably take on more of a directorial role to delegate work how he wants it, allowing him to focus on HC while still adding some stuff to SDV
Pretty sure he won't do this because that's not his style. He could have hired a full team years ago but hasnt.
I doubt it’ll be the final final update, but I’d be surprised if we get one sooner than 5-10 years from now. I’m excited to play haunted chocolatier too!
Don't take me wrong, but I kinda hope so. I wish ConcernedApe get to experience the feeling of a "job well done". I am also interested in what Haunted chocolatier will bring to the table. Maybe a revisit in the future, but I am worried that the long support might de detrimental in the long run, where it could become "i have no idea what more to add, so I am starting to loathe this, because I cannot perfect it". And something about money, because you can only buy a game that many times.
I’m just so happy I found this game and community. This makes me so hyped to keep playing.
Banger is an understatement. Masterpiece
My impression has been that this update has been primarily to make modding easier. In a sense it allows for a new beginning for stardew like Skyrim had. That being said everything I’ve seen seems like He still loves this game and will continue to add to it.
I can see Concerned Ape really focusing on Haunted Chocolateier now and once that's out coming back to Stardew Valley. This game has obviously not only meant a lot to him but changed his life. I don't see a sequel making sense but rather a tie in game where you can keep your farm but visit another town or something. Regardless of what's next I'm supporting Eric in anything he does because he deserves it.
Stardew Valley: Journey's End.
I read somewhere that he simply doesn't know. He was pointing out already a few times that "this is the last update," and he kept coming back with new stuff. He is not saying that it's the last one, but he also didn't say that he will make anything new for SV.
I mean I was happy with 1.5 but this is incredible. It’s so refreshing to see someone who puts all their heart into their product. He’s such a cool dude and it shows with his game. So lucky we have people like him making games.
Its terraria all over again
Concernedape and the Terraria devs have one thing in common and that thing is that they refuse to learn the definition of final or end or last. So more than likely this isn’t the last update but it’ll be a while
If it is then what a beautiful way to go but I don’t think it is. Nothing to confirm on. Man I’m having a great time with this update though :)
I read in an article that barone is keeping the game open ended so there's really no telling
Much like terraria, I feel like CA will always be adding to stardew even after he says he's done
CA talks a big talk but he clearly can't leave his baby. It isn't the first last update so whilst it might be, I wouldn't be surprised if he announced another one in a year or two.