Stardew Valley Creator Doesn’t Want To ‘Close The Book’ On Its Development – Nintendo Life
GuestGuestLogin | Sign UpNintendo LifeGuestLogin or Sign Up”Maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something”Stardew Valley is perhaps one of the best-supported indie games of all-time with Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone now working on the title for over 12 years. While there have been questions raised about the farming and lifestyle sim’s future now that the creator’s attention has (mostly) shifted to his new project, what is the actual plan?Speaking to NPR, Barone mentioned how he doesn’t want to “definitively say that the book is ever closed” on Stardew because he might one day “have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two”:”You know, maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something…I like creating things. I don’t think I’m ever going to retire. I think it would be funny to release an update when I’m, like, 90 years old — if I live that long. Let’s hope.In saying this, he does feel a game “can have too much content”, and while he wants Stardew to be the best experience it can be, if there is any point he feels like “it’s starting to become kind of overwhelmed with content to the point it’s detrimental to the game’s entertainment factor”, he would consider stopping.So, there you go – while Stardew Valley just got a huge update not long ago, there could still be more to come. And to be fair, there have already been multiple updates since Version 1.6 arrived on Switch last year.In an interview with Nintendo Life, published earlier this month, Barone mentioned how he felt he could continue to work on Stardew for the rest of his life, and just wants to “keep it alive” as he doesn’t want to see it fizzle out.”I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life”Kicking off 2025 with some bug fixesBack to the farm we goDo you think Stardew should continue to expand and grow, or should work on it stop at some point? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.[source npr.org, via eurogamer.net]About Liam DoolanLiam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He’s been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief.Comments 30He can work on the port in 2060 when Stardew Valley becomes a fully immersive VR game.I prefer playing games with everything already inside. I don’t like the never ending updates just to keep the game community alive as we will never get the game with final updates and all stuffs in cartridge / disc.That is ok, it is his game. But I will probably never buy this game because I am still waiting on a complete on cartridge physical release But I can understand it from his point of view. But as a gamer I like to play games that are complete and when finished I move on to the next game.Sounds like an interesting stance but I also like to start and finish complete single player games. The “continuously adding content” model works better on games that accompany you for life like a MMO, in my opinion.I can see Stardew fans enjoying it, thoughAs much as I usually also prefer “complete” games, I definitely wouldn’t say no to more Stardew Valley updates if he feels like adding something and as long as it’s not detrimental to the game as a whole like he himself mentioned – regardless, wishing him a long life in general and full of creating things since he likes doing that (and I’m looking forward to finally playing Stardew Valley properly myself when I can)!It’s an absolutely fantastic game. But I have to agree with his own statement, at a certain point a game can have “too much” content. But it’s his baby, and he can do whatever he wants.@Yosti In his defense, the game is complete on the cartridge. These updates mostly add little extras, but I only ever played the original release and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mostly saying this, because I think it’s shame if you’d miss out on a great game, which it seems like you’re interested in, just over not having all the little updates on the cartridge.Even something like BotW got updates/fixes after release, but I’m going to guess you still own that as well. @Monkeido Agreed. A shockingly low amount of games that get released today could be considered “complete” without any updates, patches, or dlc. I know it’s important to some people but it kinda makes me laugh about where/when those people “draw the line” for what is & isn’t acceptableRight now, Stardew Valley has 104,950 concurrent players on Steam, sitting at #13 on the charts. The only games beating it are big multiplayer ones like DOTA and Counter-Strike.A good reason to get the game on Steam I suppose as I would imagine console versions will stop being updated eventually.I think I’d prefer to call Stardew done and work on a Stardew 2 now. A lot of newer stuff is great but feels weirdly tacked on where as it could be integrated from the start with a sequel.But it’s not my game and it’s working for him this way so the point is moot!@Monkeido The game is not complete on cartridge if it still gets updates. It is a weird take. But it is ok if you like the game as it is. No reason for a defence. I understand it is his game and he can do what he wants with it. If he likes to support the game for the coming 50 years, good for him Yes, I do have BOTW complete on cartridge. But it still possible I buy Stardew Valley and then it would make more sense for me to just buy the game digital.If you love something, let it go.My wife is already in full “Can’t wait for Fields of Misteria 1.0” mode. I just want Haunted Chocolatier.The problem I have with other stances in this comment section is something like San Andreas. It was released, had the Hot Coffee in the code, got pulled from shelves, re-released without that in the game code. Which version is “complete”? Consoles themselves undergo frequent slight revisions as well. Is a launch day Switch not “complete” because it doesn’t have the tiny improvements of a Switch sitting on store shelves right now? I’m not trying to be aggressive, but I’ve read the responses on here and still struggle to understand where the line is for some. That said, I also don’t struggle with FOMO as much as others seem to so… 🤷🏽♂️I’d rather have a sequel. Set in the same place in the future. The other towns people can vary somewhat based on who you married. I’d even prefer it over Haunted Chocolatier.@Anti-Matter I for one love it when devs are passionate about their games and offer free updates at no charge. Sigh.@TotalHenshin I think the point is that it is a personal matter. There shouldn’t be a problem with how others like their games.@TotalHenshin Owning the ‘complete, finished’ physical copy of Stardew feels like a great hill to die on—literally, since there’s no guarantee the updates will ever stop. Most of us just chose to enjoy the ride.@Yosti The only way you got BOTW “complete on cartridge” is if you bought the JP, KR, or CN version with the dlc included. If you do have one of those copies, nice. If not then you technically don’t have a complete physical copy.
There’s no problem with how people like their games lol but it’s still interesting to talk about. Discussing a topic you bring up in a public forum & people giving their two cents about it is par for the course, when people say they “have a problem” identifying what is & isn’t a “complete game”, I think it’s because for most people the idea of that has become foreign. It’s extremely uncommon for a game to release without any updates afterwardsKinda becoming a feature creep, honestly.@yohn777 I have the European release which doesn’t ask for updates when booting up the game. But that one does miss the DLC, correct. Have the Japanese version with DLC on the cartridge as well.Indeed there is no problem, but I didn’t understand why people here have to defend the choices of the Stardew Valley Creator in the first place lol.@Yosti It’s interesting that you ‘don’t understand’ why people defend the Stardew Valley creator, yet you’re here in the comments section defending your own take. Feels like you just don’t like having the logical inconsistencies pointed out. If you’re not interested in differing opinions, the comments section might not be the best place to hang out.@cedarhyped Didn’t know that people can be so toxic here. Good evening Just to be clear. I am not defending my own take at all. I just state why I probably never buy this game, what is wrong with that? I understand the developer and when I would develop a game myself with such success I wouldn’t probably let go myself. So what is there to defend. It is not like I said something bad. I just prefer to play games that are finished. I also understand that fans that still play the game looking forward to new updates. Sorry if I have offended anyone lol.@Yosti Didn’t you just say you have BotW “complete” on cartridge, even though it also got updates and patches after its release? Oh well, agreee to disagree and the defense was really only meant to tell you it’s an amazing game worth buying without the little patches/updates it got after release (just like BotW ).FYI, even though I already own a release copy of BotW, I still bought a Japanese copy of BotW that includes the DLC, so I am someone who prefers having everything on the physical cartridge as well, it’s just not always necessary and/or feasible.Edit: Now also see your comment above mine and hope you don’t think I’m being toxic. You should obviously do whatever you see fit and there are too many good games out there to play all of them anyway. I just thought you should know that the original release didn’t need any extra content (or fixes), so it was already complete.@Yosti I was not saying it was a problem, I was just trying to understand where the line is. My questions weren’t rhetorical, they were genuine in wanting to know if you felt those revised versions of a game or console were lacking to you. I said I wasn’t trying to be aggressive and I meant it. Sorry if it still came off that way.@Monkeido Yes I prefer having everything on the cartridge if possible. Just thought that waiting a few years would end with a complete release of Stardew Valley. But it appears that is not the case. I just should buy it in the eShop some day. I also think with the Switch 2 coming up going digital makes more sense. It is indeed getting more uncommon for a game to release without any updates afterwards. Although my current collection of Switch games is like 50% complete on cartridge. Cool to have, but soon something from the past I expect.@TotalHenshin For me a complete on cartridge is fun to collect. But like others here said it is not always necessary or feasible. I do have physical games that I accept as complete that still have some minor unimportant updates. In the case of Stardew Valley Fangamer will probably release a physical version with 1.6 on the cartridge (currently it is 1.5) and I should be happy with that.Revised consoles I normally don’t care about but with the Switch I liked the better battery life and OLED screen when playing handheld. Previous consoles like the Game Boy Advance and Xbox 360 I only have the launch version.@Yosti Thank you for the thoughtful response!Bringing back the EU PS Vita version would be great….I just want chocolate and ghosts. TwTI dislike the idea of an endlessly updated game. At some point just piling up content high bloats a game.A sequel that’s free to cut or adjust content to make a better or unique experience. He has the resources to pay someone else to update Stardew Valley.I don’t get why he bottlenecks his game dev by tying himself to an already successful game. As an hobbyist indie dev I’d see a succes in Stardew Valley’s level as an opportunity to sustain new projects, and even pay people to create others. It’s a bit frustrating to see a lot of the massive indie succeses somehow get slower at making new games.Imagine if we were still waiting for Super Mario Bros because Miyamoto was too busy updating Donkey Kong? Show CommentsLeave A CommentHold on there, you need to login to post a comment…Nintendo Expands Switch Online’s SNES Library With Three More TitlesIncluding a special Super Famicom release…Opinion: My Daughter Made Me Realise That Mario Wonder’s Difficulty Options Need WorkYoshi or Nabbit, make your choiceSega Launches Its Own Free Account Service With Unique Member RewardsSign up! Y’know, if you wantXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Metal Poster Pre-Order Bonus RevealedAvailable now in the USCeleste Dev Makes “Difficult Decision” To Cancel New Game EarthbladeFollowing “a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste”Game ProfileTitle:Stardew ValleySystem:Switch eShopAlso Available For:Wii U eShop, PS Vita, Xbox One, PS4Publisher:ConcernedApeDeveloper:ConcernedApeGenre:RPG, SimulationPlayers:1Release Date:Switch eShopReviews:Review: Stardew Valley (Switch eShop)Official Site:nintendo.comWhere to buy:Buy on Nintendo eShop
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