In a recent interview, Eric Barone, the mastermind behind the beloved farming simulation game Stardew Valley, expressed his deep commitment to creating experiences that resonate with players. He emphasized that he finds it challenging to divert his focus towards new projects that don’t already hold significance for his audience. This dedication to meaningful content reflects Barone’s passion for ensuring that his work continues to connect emotionally with the community that has embraced his creations.

Stardew Valley is the cherished creation of Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone, and rightly so, with over 30 million copies sold. He has openly shared his challenges in setting it aside to pursue other projects.

Indeed, Barone initiated his new endeavor, Haunted Chocolatier, in October 2021. However, we have only received minimal updates and a few obscure screenshots over the years since. Now, in a recent blog entry dedicated to Haunted Chocolatier, Barone revealed he is having some difficulty balancing development on new games while keeping Stardew fans engaged.

“It’s been a bit disheartening to see Haunted Chocolatier collecting dust… but that is the reality I am faced with,” Barone remarked. “Stardew Valley is a massive and beloved game, and I have deep affection for it. Additionally, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to all the players who have supported Stardew Valley throughout the years, allowing me this unique opportunity as an indie game developer. Thus, it’s challenging to ‘let go’ of Stardew, even for a short while, to focus on something that isn’t already beloved and significant to others.”

The remainder of the blog predominantly conveys a promise to quietly continue developing Haunted Chocolatier at some point, with the major caveat that this undefined point is likely quite distant. While Barone acknowledged that he has accomplished “a lot of work” on Haunted Chocolatier, he also confessed that it still needs considerable attention before it is ready for release.

In the meantime, brush up on these Stardew Valley tips for amassing wealth, maximizing your time, and cultivating the finest farm you can manage.