It’s unlikely that a major 1.7 update for Stardew Valley is coming anytime soon, if at all. The game’s developer, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, has shifted his primary focus to his next game, Haunted Chocolatier. While he has said he won’t “close the book” on Stardew Valley and may add things in the future, even “50 years from now,” he has confirmed that he is committed to finishing Haunted Chocolatier first.
The extensive 1.6 update was a significant addition, and Barone’s comments suggest he’s now taking a step back from major Stardew development to concentrate on his new project.
The Future of Stardew Valley: What the Developer Has Said
Following the release of the massive 1.6 update, which added new festivals, a new mastery system, and a ton of other content, fans began to wonder what the future held for the game. Concerns have been raised about whether Stardew Valley will continue to receive major updates, especially with Barone’s new game in the works.
Barone himself has been transparent about his intentions. He’s stated that he’s taking a break from major Stardew Valley development to focus on Haunted Chocolatier. This is a significant undertaking, and he wants to devote his full attention to it. While he loves Stardew Valley and the community, he’s also expressed a desire to create more than one game in his lifetime.
What Players Can Expect in the Meantime
Even without a large 1.7 update on the horizon, the Stardew Valley community is far from stagnant.
- Minor Updates and Bug Fixes: The game will likely continue to receive smaller patches and bug fixes to ensure it remains stable across all platforms.
- The Modding Community: The 1.6 update was specifically designed to make modding easier, and the community has been hard at work creating a giant variety of mods that add new content, features, and quality-of-life improvements. This allows players to add their own “updates” to the game.
- Fan Wishlists: The community is constantly discussing what they’d like to see in a hypothetical 1.7 update. Ideas often include things like: Expanded farmland, deeper relationship dynamics with NPCs, especially after marriage, the ability to hire farmhands, and more minigames and town events
These fan ideas show the community’s love for the game and the potential for future content. For now, Stardew Valley fans should concentrate on relishing the 1.6 content and closely monitoring the development of Haunted Chocolatier. While it’s clear the game’s creator still holds a deep love for his creation, his professional focus has shifted. While it might take a considerable amount of time to release another significant update, the possibility remains open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest update for Stardew Valley?
The most recent major update is 1.6. It added a substantial amount of new content, including a new farm type (Meadowlands Farm), a mastery system, new festivals like the Desert Festival and SquidFest, and various quality-of-life improvements. The update also made significant changes to support modding.
What is Haunted Chocolatier?
A: Haunted Chocolatier is the next game from the creator of Stardew Valley. It’s described as a single-player action RPG with life simulation elements, similar in art style to Stardew Valley but with a darker, more mysterious theme. The game is still in development and does not have a set release date. Barone has said he hopes to release it within the next five years.
Will there ever be another Stardew Valley update?
While Barone has shifted his focus, he has not “closed the book” on Stardew Valley. He has expressed a strong sense of duty to the game and its community and hasn’t ruled out future updates. However, any future updates are expected to be smaller and will not happen until after Haunted Chocolatier is complete.
