Stardew Valley 2 Possible, But Easier to Expand Original, Says Creator

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, tentatively titled "Stardew Valley 2." However, in his recent interview with TigerBelly, Barone tempered fans' excitement by explaining the complexities involved in creating a new game from the ground up. "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch," he remarked, highlighting the challenge of building new systems from scratch.

Barone elaborated on the ease of updating the existing game, saying, "It's all the systems — all the major systems — are already all done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update [for Stardew Valley now], it’s like, you know, oh, throw in this, throw in that. Let’s add green rain — like, these random, whimsical ideas." Despite this, he admitted, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest," indicating a potential future project while keeping expectations in check (thanks, Nintendo Life).

In the same interview, Barone expressed his desire to diversify his portfolio, stating, "I didn't want to just be the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he's currently focusing on his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier. Fans should not hold their breath for a release date, as Barone noted there's "still a lot to be done," and he aims for it to surpass the quality of Stardew Valley.

When Stardew Valley first hit the scene in 2016, it received an impressive 8.8 "Great" in our original review. Fast forward to 2024, and our reassessment elevated it to a 10/10 "masterpiece." We wrote, "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. That myself and others keep returning to this eight-year-old gem each time it gets even the smallest update speaks to how it’s truly a masterpiece in the genre it both reinvigorated and has come to define."

For newcomers, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been fully updated to reflect the latest 1.6 update from 2024, which introduced new crops, fish, and exciting features like the Raccoon Family Quests. These quests unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players looking to further their experience, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on the next steps. And if you're exploring Ginger Island, our guide can help you locate all the Golden Walnuts.