By Sagar V. Mankar 
Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the creator of the beloved farming simulation game Stardew Valley, has expressed his intention to continue supporting the game for the foreseeable future. Speaking to NPR, Barone revealed that he doesn’t see himself ever fully walking away from the project. “I don’t want to definitively say the book is ever closed,” he said, jokingly adding, “Maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something.”
Stardew Valley, which launched in 2016, quickly became a phenomenon. Selling over 400,000 copies in its first two weeks, the game has since sold more than 41 million copies worldwide. Over the years, Barone has kept the game fresh with regular updates, including the most recent major update, version 1.6. Initially planned as a smaller update, it grew in scale, further enriching the game and delighting its loyal fanbase.
Although Barone once suggested he was finished with Stardew Valley to focus on a new project—Haunted Chocolatier—he returned to the farming sim to work on update 1.6. Even so, he acknowledges the importance of knowing when to stop. “A game can have too much content,” Barone explained. “If I feel like it’s detrimental to the game’s experience, I would stop.”
Currently, Barone has resumed full development of Haunted Chocolatier. Describing the new game as deeply personal, he shared that he’s invested in its characters, themes, and overall vision. Despite fans’ excitement, Barone has kept development details under wraps, acknowledging that it will take significant time and effort before its release.
Sources: NPR