Popular farming simulator Stardew Valley is scheduled to receive a major content update, Update 1.7, in 2026 to celebrate the title's tenth anniversary. The announcement of this update came as a surprise to many fans, as creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone had previously stated that he was shifting focus from Stardew Valley to his next project, Haunted Chocolates. Now, fans on Reddit and other social media are uncertain about the future of the game and what might lie beyond the upcoming 1.7 update.
Why restarting a cozy game feels better than ending it
Cozy gamers avoid post-game depression by not ending their favorite comfort games at all – and there's a certain brilliance to this madness.
Every Major Stardew Valley Update sparks a conversation about the future
Both the 1.5 content update, which launched in 2020, and the 1.6 version of Stardew Valleywhich debuted in 2024, was then considered the “last” major content update for Stardew Valley. This attitude was supported by statements from Barone, who expressed on sites such as X that he was pivoting to focus on Haunted Chocolates. Unsurprisingly, with 1.7 looming – although no concrete release date has been shared at the time, the debate has reignited about what the future will look like for the farming simulator.
On sites like Reddit, there have been several discussions asking whether 1.7, which will add two new marriage candidates, a new farm layout, and unspecified changes that give the player's children a bigger role in the game, will be the last content update for Stardew Valley. The question has also been raised as to what Stardew updates will appear after the launch of Haunted Chocolates. It's still unclear how far into the future that will be, as Barone has made it clear that he won't be rushing the release and wants to be completely satisfied with the game before it comes out.
Many believe that the Stardew Valley updates will continue
Interestingly, unlike many similar discussions that occurred after the 1.5 and 1.6 updates, commenters on sites like Reddit generally believe that 1.7 will not be the last Stardew Valley update. They cite reasons such as the fact that Barone has repeatedly stated his love for working on and expanding Stardew Valley, as well as the fact that he now has a team working with him on the game, making it easier for him to deliver both minor quality-of-life updates and major content additions like the upcoming new marriage candidates Clint the blacksmith and Sandy the desert trader.
“ConcernedApe has a team doing most of the work for 1.7,” said a commenter named Ragna_Blade. “As long as the update goes well, he will let them continue to a 1.8 and 1.9 update going forward, while he focuses on Haunted Chocolates.” Haunted Chocolates is still in active development, according to a January statement from ConcernedApe. Ragna_Blade also theorized that the creator would return to primarily focus on Stardew Valley should an updated “2.0” version of the game ever be developed.
There have been many other comments on Reddit in recent months in favor of ConcernedApe continuing to support and update Stardew Valley. “It's like his baby,” said one commenter. “There is a 0% chance he loses Stardew Valley. He loves this game way too much,” claimed another. And indeed, Barone has said many times that he has great love for the game, even 10 years after Stardew Valleys first release. His passion for the game shines through in every interview and social media post.
Barone's own statement is the strongest evidence for more updates
Perhaps the strongest proof of that Stardew Valley updates will continue after the release of 1.7, and also after the final release of Haunted Chocolates, comes from a statement from Eric Barone himself. In a February 2026 interview with IGN, Barone was asked where he saw Stardew Valley another ten years in the future. He replied:
“Ten years from now, there will be a few more updates that will just make the game even more what it should be… Maybe there will be new things added to the game to make it even more future-proof, in terms of creative content or things that players can almost be a part of the process… Maybe there will be some new Stardew Valley project out there, even in 10 years.”
Barone floated the ideal of a potential Stardew Valley 2, or other titles or products that use Stardew Valley IP. He also discussed the idea of a system that allows players to see and use each other's farm layouts, as he believes this would add even more replayability to a game that already has hundreds of hours of content.
Barone's statements have generally eased fans' concerns
Some Stardew Valley fans worry that 1.7 will be the last update, or that it will be the last major piece of content, with any future patches focused on bug fixes or small quality-of-life improvements. Others believe it once Haunted Chocolates officially released – although some theories suggest it could be as far out as 2030 or even beyond – Barone will not continue working on Stardew Valley in any capacity.
One commenter worried that “he has some new ideas [for Stardew] will go to Haunted Chocolates instead.” Another pointed out that Barone dislikes “forcing” new content, update Stardew when he feels driven to, and expressed concern that his continued passion for updating the game may end. However, these comments and threads have become significantly less frequent in the wake of the IGN interview and the release of more concrete information about the 1.7 update, specifically the official announcement of Sandy and Clint as the two new characters that players can marry.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Although that is understandable Stardew Valley fans are worried that future updates may not happen, especially with Barone's focus shifting more and more to Haunted Chocolates, it seems unlikely that the creator will abandon the game entirely. His tenth anniversary interview was filled with passion and excitement for the future, and it certainly seems like it Stardew Valley may have a long life filled with updates beyond 1.7, including a potential “2.0” version. And even if Stardew Valley's Updates are really rolling in, there are hundreds of mods for players to try with new characters to meet, places to visit and stories to explore. Stardew Valley's the future will be full and exciting, no matter what it has to offer.
- Released
-
February 26, 2016
- ESRB
-
All 10+ / Fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, use of alcohol and tobacco
- Developer
-
Worried Ape
- Publisher
-
Worried Ape
