After almost a decade,Stardew Valleystill reigns supreme in the cozy genre, largely thanks to consistent updates year after year. The question on every fan’s mind is what’s next on developer ConcernedApe’s agenda: Will there be aStardew Valleysequel, or will the focus shift toHaunted Chocolatierinstead?
Even though it’s been leaning toward the latter, ConcernedApe has once again shaken things up with a new update. Here’s what you need to know about a potentialStardew Valley 2.
Will there be a Stardew Valley sequel?
In theTigerBellypodcast, host Bobby Lee asks ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) about the possibility of aStardew Valley 2. ConcernedApe explains that adding new content to the original game is easier than starting fresh with a sequel. However, he does mention,“I might eventually make aStardew Valley 2.”
SinceStardew Valley’sinception, there has been ongoing speculation about what a sequel could look like. Fans have voiced general desires, such as more NPCs and interactions, along with more ambitious ideas, like incorporating a city environment. A city mixed with a farming sim could be an interesting twist, or at the very least, provide a way to access such a place to diversify the game’s landscape.
Unfortunately, a sequel might not happen for a while, as ConcernedApe and his team are currently focused on the upcoming titleHaunted Chocolatier. He shares that he doesn’t want to be known solely as “theStardew Valleyguy,” which is why he’s investing time in exploring new creative projects.Haunted Chocolatierhas been shrouded in mystery since its announcement almost three years ago, with no official release date. ConcernedApe notes there’s still much work to be done, hinting at a rough timeframe within the next five years for its release.
WhileStardew Valley 2hasn’t been officially set in motion, the original game may still have more to offer. ConcernedApe suggests that new updates could still happen. However, any future update will likely be announced once the new features are fully ready for launch. This cautious approach is partly due to community backlash after themost recent updatewas released solely on PC at first, leaving other platforms waiting.
Beyond discussions of a potential sequel andHaunted Chocolatier, the podcast delves into the origins ofStardew Valley. ConcernedApe explains that when he first released the game, it wasn’t “totally finished,” which is why so many updates followed. He also mentions that his inspiration came from playingHarvest Moon, a game widely credited with starting the farming sim phenomenon.
ConcernedApe confirms in the podcast that he andHarvest Mooncreator Yasuhiro Wada have met and exchanged compliments about each other’s games. IfStardew Valley 2ever happens, it could establish a series with a cultural impact similar toHarvest Moon, creating a legacy that shapes the farming sim genre for years to come. The influence of both games on the industry is undeniable, and a sequel would only strengthen that legacy, expanding the world and its possibilities.
