Creator of Stardew Valley does not rule out sequel, but focuses on new game

While the community is still exploring the news of Stardew Valley's 1.6 update, the game's creator, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, commented in an interview on the TigerBelly podcast about the possibility of a Stardew Valley 2 - but without concrete commitments or predictions. According to him, the idea exists, but it is much more practical to continue expanding the current game than to create a new project from scratch.

"I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest", Barone stated during the conversation.
"But it's much easier to simply add more things to Stardew Valley than to make a new game from scratch."

The reasoning is technical: all the base systems of Stardew Valley are already in place, which makes the creation process lighter and more enjoyable from a solo developer's perspective.

"It's like: let's put this, let's put that, let's add green rain... these random and fun ideas," he explained. "The hard work is already done."

Even with the possibility of a sequel in mind, Barone also emphasized that he doesn't want to be just "the Stardew Valley guy". That's why he is currently focused on developing his new game, the still mysterious Haunted Chocolatier.

"There is still a lot of work ahead," he said. "This game needs to be better than Stardew Valley."

The 1.6 update, released this year, reinforced this status by bringing a series of new content:

• New crops and fish
• Raccoon family with their own missions
• New shop with valuable rewards
• Mastery Points system for advanced players
• Enhancements on Ginger Island, including tips to find all the Golden Walnuts
   

Barone had previously mentioned that his involvement with the community and the constant updates are important factors for the longevity of the game. But it seems that Stardew Valley 2 will only come when - and if - he feels that it's really worth starting from scratch.

Meanwhile, the future of Haunted Chocolatier still has no confirmed date, but remains Barone's creative focus. And the lasting success of Stardew Valley continues to be a reminder of the impact that a well-planned and technically refined solo project can have on the industry.