Eric Barone Faces High Expectations for Haunted Chocolatier, With Many Anticipating a Stardew Valley Sequel

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Stardew Valley creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone is bracing himself for the inevitable comparisons when his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, launches, especially since it’s not a direct sequel to Stardew Valley.

Barone has never claimed that Haunted Chocolatier is a follow-up to Stardew Valley, but the parallels are hard to ignore. Stardew Valley is a beloved staple in the cozy gaming genre, and even though Haunted Chocolatier is described as “more of an action RPG,” Barone’s name is forever linked to farming sims.

In a recent chat, Barone expressed that the expectations from Stardew Valley fans keep him up at night.

“It’s been a huge struggle for me actually,” he shared. “I want to just create freely without worrying about how it will be received. But it’s tough because I can’t help but think about the expectations. I know many will approach this game hoping for a Stardew Valley 2. Will they enjoy it? I want to make the game I envision, but I also don’t want to disappoint those who expect something different. That’s a tough spot to be in.”

Honestly, it seems like Barone might be overthinking it a bit. He’s made it clear that Haunted Chocolatier remains a life sim at its core, even with added action RPG elements and a darker, more mysterious atmosphere. Visually, it retains the charming pixel art style that fans love from Stardew. The cozy gaming community tends to be pretty laid-back, and Barone has proven time and again that he knows how to craft an engaging cozy experience.

The downside? Haunted Chocolatier is still a ways off from release. While Barone has a small team assisting him, he remains the primary creative force behind both Stardew Valley, which is set to receive a significant 1.7 update, and Haunted Chocolatier. In the same interview, he emphasized his commitment to creating the game he wants, without compromise, regardless of how long it takes.

“I would say it’s coming along,” he noted about Haunted Chocolatier. “The progress isn’t as quick as I’d like. Nothing ever is. The key thing is that I won’t release anything I’m not proud of. If I don’t think it’s a great game, it won’t see the light of day. So if that means years of development, so be it. That’s my approach. Luckily, I don’t feel any real pressure. I haven’t taken funding from anyone or done crowdfunding. There won’t be any pre-orders.”

“I don’t actually owe anyone the game. It’ll be done when I’m ready to release it. Sure, announcing the game adds some pressure because I don’t want to let fans down by taking too long, but there’s no real obligation. It’s more of a mental construct, you could say.”

For those who haven’t been keeping up, Haunted Chocolatier lets you step into the shoes of a confectionery shop owner. Similar to Stardew, you’ll explore the town, interact with its residents, and even pursue romantic interests. However, unlike Stardew, you’ll encounter ghosts and engage in combat with weapons and shields, though the depth of these action elements remains to be seen.

Despite nearly 50 million copies of Stardew Valley sold, Barone still feels “like an amateur,” but he hopes this mindset will help keep the “indie soul” alive in Haunted Chocolatier.