Eric Barone, widely known as ConcernedApe and the creator of the acclaimed Stardew Valley, has officially announced the development of a major update, version 1.7, for his breakout farming simulator. This announcement comes just months after Barone expressed his desire to focus solely on his next project, Haunted Chocolatier.
Barone revealed the update during a concert event and confirmed on social media that although there is no release date or estimate yet, the 1.7 update is actively in progress. The update promises to deliver new content and refinements to Stardew Valley, continuing the trend from the previous 1.6 update, which added features such as eight-player PC co-op, new crops, NPC dialogue, a mastery system, and customizable pets.
Despite the renewed focus on Stardew Valley, Barone emphasized that work on Haunted Chocolatier is ongoing, and he remains committed to the new game's solo development. He acknowledged, however, that the dual focus may slightly delay Haunted Chocolatier's arrival but insisted the impact would likely be minimal. Barone credits the presence of a dedicated team supporting Stardew Valley’s updates since 2018 and his current creative director role, which allows him to balance responsibilities more efficiently.
Barone explained, "I have a very popular first game that I still want to take care of, which means that my second game might take a little longer. It is what it is." He also noted that his hands remain involved in every new piece of Stardew Valley content, particularly music composition, maintaining a personal connection to the project. The approach to the 1.7 update is deliberately flexible, with no fixed release timeline, allowing Barone to adapt as Haunted Chocolatier progresses.
Industry observers recognize Barone's ongoing dedication as reflective of a broader trend where successful indie developers revisit and refine popular titles long after initial release. This contrasts with typical development cycles in the PC gaming sector, where sequels or new IPs often take precedence. Stardew Valley’s sustained player base and sales success position it as one of the top-selling premium PC games globally, incentivizing continuous improvements despite Barone’s ambitions to move forward creatively.
This announcement highlights the dual challenges faced by independent developers balancing legacy projects and new ventures. As Barone navigates this, his Stardew Valley community remains supportive and patient, aware of the quality and depth that define his work.
Ultimately, Barone’s ongoing commitment ensures that both Stardew Valley’s evolving life-sim features and the anticipation surrounding Haunted Chocolatier remain priorities in the PC gaming landscape.
