It’ll come when it comes

Stardew Valleycontinues to amaze pretty much everyone years removed from its launch. Created by just one person, the project has hosted tons of free updates and massive quality of life improvements, as well as full mod support on PC, in an era full of microtransactions and seedy monetization schemes. It’s paid off dividends for creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, and USGamer recently got a chance to chat with him about the upcoming 1.4 patch and the current state of his “studio.”

1.4 is going to be pretty huge, and will “add some depth to post-marriage life” (a common complaint from hardcore players), as well as touch on pretty much “everything” else. Barone notes that the patch will range from small quality of life improvements (being able to see if an item contributes to the community center end goal by highlighting it) to “rich and rewarding” content.

Article image

He also addresses the move back to self-publishing, noting that he prefers to do things on his own, and allows him to “fuss over the little details” without having to worry about anyone else. Barone hopes to self-publish future games, whatever that project might be after he perfectsStardew. To that end, he formed a small team to help build outStardew Valleyand is “slowly and cautiously,” working on his new unannounced game. There are “no plans” to expand his operation beyond this scope in the future.

So about that multiplayer update on mobile and Xbox One? Barone is “doing everything in [his] power” to make that happen “as soon as possible.” Like all thingsStardew Valleyrelated for the past three years and change, it’ll come when it comes, and it’ll be worth the wait.

The ghost at the end of the hallway

Stardew Valley’s Creator on Self-Publishing, the “Everything” Update, and His Future as a Solo Developer[USGamer]

Picking up the smiley face post-it off the broken mirror

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Looking at the ghost of Jackie inside the lighthouse