This month, we’re celebrating Stardew Valley forward of its tenth anniversary, and have a ton of Stardew-related items as part of that. But once we spoke to creator Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) forward of that celebration, we could not assist but additionally ask about his different recreation that is nonetheless in-development and mysterious: Haunted Chocolatier.
Barone has been candid previously that he is had bother balancing work on each Stardew Valley’s ongoing updates (with Patch 1.7 at present in progress) and Haunted Chocolatier. We began by asking him if that stability has modified lately and if he is had extra Chocolatier-time in his schedule. The reply from Barone is, sure, form of.
“Nicely, a part of the rationale why I’ve expanded my workforce a little bit bit is in order that hopefully I can spend extra time engaged on Haunted Chocolatier,” he says. “And it is labored out fairly effectively to date, I would say. On 1.7, the strategy we’re taking is that I am like, you would possibly say the artistic director and I’m concerned with like, ‘Okay, here is what we’ll do. Here is a few of the concepts.’ Then I let the workforce work on that. After which in the meantime, I’m engaged on Haunted Chocolatier.
“In some unspecified time in the future in 1.7’s cycle, I will get closely concerned, as a result of I really feel like my hand wants to the touch each a part of the sport, each side of the replace. I must go over it and modify it or not less than approve every part. So it’s going to require lots of my time anyway, however I assume the stability has been a little bit bit extra shifted, in order that I can spend extra time centered on Haunted Chocolatier. And I assume it has been understanding fairly good. That is been an enormous change from the 1.3 replace or 1.1 or one thing the place it is fully me. I had no time to work on a brand new recreation. In order that has modified.
“It’s tough as a result of it is exhausting to shift gears, I guess. If I’m fascinated by Haunted Chocolatier, it is tough to be like, ‘Okay, I’m going to sooner or later of the week or two days of the week work on Stardew Valley.’ That is not how my mind works. I’m multi functional factor or the opposite. So I’ve been making an attempt to work on that. I really feel prefer it requires lots of self-discipline, which I’m at all times working to enhance on.”
Comprehensible, and there is much more context on the work he is carried out to stability Haunted Chocolatier and Stardew Valley at a number of different factors in our full Q&A. But we could not let the topic drop with out simply straight-up asking him how Haunted Chocolatier goes. Sadly, no concrete updates in the present day. But Barone replies that it is “coming alongside.” But it sounds just like the wait will likely be price it.
“The progress is not as quick as I would love. Nothing is ever as quick as I would love. The primary vital factor about Haunted Chocolatier is I’m not going to launch something that I’m not pleased with. If I do not assume it is a fantastic recreation, I’m not going to launch it. So even when that takes years and years, so be it. That is simply what I wish to do. Thankfully, I do not feel like there’s any actual strain. I have not obtained funding from anybody or crowdfunding. There’s not going to be any pre-orders.
“I do not truly owe anybody the sport. It is like when I wish to do it and when I wish to launch it, it’s going to get carried out. I imply, it is true that I’ve introduced the sport, that does create lots of strain on me as a result of I do really feel like I do not wish to disappoint the followers by taking too lengthy, however there is not any actual bodily obligation with it. It is extra simply psychological constructs, you would possibly say.”
It is sensible that Haunted Chocolatier is taking some time, as Barone has beforehand mentioned its world is “bigger” than Stardew Valley’s. He additionally took a little bit of a hiatus on the sport again in 2024 attributable to struggles getting Stardew Valley 1.6’s console ports working. But it appears like a much bigger workforce helps alleviate a few of these struggles going ahead. We’ll simply should hold being affected person (and hold having fun with Stardew) whereas we look forward to Barone’s subsequent work, every time it comes.
We’re celebrating Stardew’s tenth birthday this month with a bumper crop of tales. We interviewed ConcernedApe and chatted about matters such as the addition of two new marriage candidates with 1.7, the one secret gamers nonetheless have not discovered but, and why there is not a Stardew Valley TV present but. We additionally chatted with the Stardew Valley group about what the sport has meant to them over time.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.