Stardew Valley's developer ConcernedApe said he will prioritise finishing Haunted Chocolatier before returning to the farming life simulator.
Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley, has confirmed that his primary focus is now on his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier. Barone admitted that Haunted Chocolatier had been "getting dusty on the shelf" due to his continued involvement with Stardew Valley. However, he is now fully committed to finishing the new game before returning to any further Stardew Valley updates.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Barone explained that while he has deep emotional ties to Stardew Valley, he recognises the need to move forward. The game's 1.6 update was a significant milestone, and now that it has been largely settled, he feels comfortable shifting his attention entirely to Haunted Chocolatier.
Barone has stated that he is still "knee-deep in development" and that the game will take time to complete. He even joked about retreating to a cabin in the woods and disconnecting from the internet for two years to focus solely on development, which might suggest that fans may have to wait a while before the game's release.
He has emphasized that he is not rushing the process and wants to take his time to make the game as polished as possible.
Unlike Stardew Valley, which revolves around farming and community-building, Haunted Chocolatier will focus on chocolate-making and exploration. The game will feature a more action-oriented combat system and a unique, whimsical atmosphere filled with ghostly elements.
The first announcement of Haunted Chocolatier was back in October 2021, when ConcernedApe revealed an early gameplay trailer showcasing the game's ghostly themes and chocolate-making mechanics.
