First comes chocolate, then comes crops… maybe.
The creator of Stardew Valley, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, just gave fans a rare taste of hope for a potential Stardew Valley 2—but before you start dusting off your scarecrow and prepping your pixelated fields, know that it’s still a far-off maybe. In a recent appearance on Bobby Lee’s TigerBelly podcast, Barone opened up about the future of his mega-hit farming sim and whether a sequel is in the cards.
Short version? He’s not saying no.
“I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest,” Barone said, sounding like someone debating whether to go back for seconds at a buffet that already made him a legend. “But it’s just so much easier to add stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch.”
That makes sense. After all, Stardew Valley is still getting love almost a decade after its original 2016 launch. The recent 1.6.9 update (released November 2024) added legendary fish ponds, quality-of-life features, and even new methods for recovering lost items—because, yes, even seasoned farmers drop their tools in the mines sometimes.
Barone, who famously developed the original game solo over four years, has continued to expand the game through major free updates. Rather than crank out sequels for a quick buck, he’s focused on building a deep, lasting experience. And it’s worked—Stardew Valley has sold over 20 million copies and become a staple of cozy gaming culture.
But even Barone isn’t immune to the itch to try something new. Enter Haunted Chocolatier, his next project. First teased in 2021, it looks like a deliciously weird evolution of his creative style, shifting from farming to running a whimsical chocolate shop in a haunted town full of ghosts. Think Willy Wonka meets Ghostbusters, with some Stardew DNA sprinkled on top.
When asked about Haunted Chocolatier’s release timeline, Barone kept things humble. “I hope [it comes out] in the next five years,” he said, emphasizing that he’s taking his time to get it right. That’s classic Barone—more focused on crafting something meaningful than rushing out the next big thing.
As for Stardew Valley 2, it’s clear that if it does happen, it won’t just be a copy-paste sequel. Barone wants it to be something special. “I don’t want to just be the Stardew Valley guy,” he said, hinting at the desire to evolve as a developer rather than be tied forever to a single franchise.
That said, if you’ve been holding onto hopes of a sequel filled with new mechanics, new romances, or maybe even a raccoon you can marry (you heard it here first), don’t give up just yet. It’s not on the menu today, but someday, ConcernedApe might return to the farm.
Until then, we’ll be over here staring at our 100% achievements, planting parsnips, and watching for ghost-infused chocolate bars while we take down Joja Co.
