Haunted Chocolatier by Stardew Valley Creator Reveals Exciting New Developments

Fans of Stardew Valley have been eagerly anticipating the next project from developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe. In an August blog post about Haunted Chocolatier, he expressed his apologies for the lengthy development time but reassured fans that he doesn’t feel pressured by the timeline. He emphasized the importance of not rushing the process, as it could negatively impact the game.

Barone is diligently working on Haunted Chocolatier, and in a recent interview, he shared some insights into what players can expect. While Stardew Valley had its share of action, Haunted Chocolatier promises to ramp it up even further. “It is still what I call a town game, but it’s more of an action RPG,” Barone explained.

The game will focus more on adventure, equipment gathering, and character progression. Players can look forward to battling monsters and engaging in boss fights. “It’s for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines. That’s what I do, honestly,” he noted. Although Stardew Valley includes combat elements, primarily in the mines, it leans more towards farming and life simulation. Haunted Chocolatier, however, aims to blend that cozy vibe with more action, as players will manage a chocolate business and interact with the local community.

At the start of the year, Barone admitted that he may have revealed the game a bit prematurely. He first announced Haunted Chocolatier in 2021 and has been steadily developing it since then. Like Stardew Valley, this project is a solo effort for Barone, who has yet to allow anyone else to play the game.

“No one’s playing the game until I’m ready to show it,” he stated. “If you have a turkey in the oven, you’re not going to pull it out halfway and have the guests taste it, right? It needs to be done.”

Barone will unveil Haunted Chocolatier when he feels it’s ready, and not a moment sooner. Even if it takes another decade to arrive, the anticipation will surely be worth it.