Haunted Chocolatier has a lot to live up to after the incredible success of Stardew Valley. Since the latter’s launch back in 2016, Stardew Valley continues to be a huge hit, and Haunted Chocolatier will hopefully find just as much success when it’s finally ready for launch.
Despite being announced in 2021, Haunted Chocolatier has only offered a handful of development updates since then. There is a very good reason for this, though. ConcernedApe is a solo developer, and with updates for Stardew Valley taking up a lot of his time, his hands have been full. ConcernedApe even confirmed that development on Haunted Chocolatier had stalled in order to make sure Stardew Valley‘s 1.6 update was as well-crafted as possible. Although this means Haunted Chocolatier may be a longer wait, an extensive time in development may ensure that it sidesteps Stardew Valley‘s staggered release.
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Stardew Valley Makes One Thing Clear for Haunted Chocolatier
As ConcernedApe continues development on Haunted Chocolatier, it’s clear that one Stardew Valley feature needs to be included in the upcoming game.
Haunted Chocolatier Can Hopefully Avoid Stardew Valley’s Scattered Launch Strategy
Stardew Valley Release Dates
- PC – February 2016
- PlayStation 4 and Xbox One – December 2016
- Nintendo Switch – October 2017
Haunted Chocolatier would greatly benefit from avoiding this type of release. The long development cycle for ConceredApe’s next title may be frustrating for some at times, but the longer the game is allowed to stay in the oven, the more prepared it can be at launch. In a December 4 blog post from ConcernedApe on the Haunted Chocolatier website, he stated that while he understands there may be sadness about such a long wait, he’s determined to make sure the game is in a satisfactory state before it’s ever released to the masses. He stated, “Even though Haunted Chocolatier has only been revealed publicly to a tiny degree, in my own private world it’s a special place, and I’m very attached to the characters, themes, and ideas.”
Even more exciting, he mentioned, “Also, I’ve already done a ton of work on the game.” This is a promising sign, and if ConcernedApe allows himself the right amount of time, then Haunted Chocolatier could be ready for all platforms on day one. If Haunted Chocolatier wants to one-up its massive predecessor, having a full-blown multiplatform launch would be an incredibly strong start for the candy-fueled life sim.
Even though Haunted Chocolatier has only been revealed publicly to a tiny degree, in my own private world it’s a special place, and I’m very attached to the characters, themes, and ideas.
Stardew Valley’s Updates Have Followed a Similar Path
- Stardew Valley 1.6 update for PC – March 2024
- Stardew Valley 1.6 update for console and mobile – November 2024
This staggered launch strategy has been a common method for Stardew Valley, and while this could still be the case for future Haunted Chocolatier updates, a launch still needs to focus on a cohesive release that spans across all platforms. Staggered updates are not ideal, but it’s less frustrating than having to wait for an entire game. The huge excitement surrounding Haunted Chocolatier runs the risk of upsetting some fans if they have to wait longer than PC or console players.
Haunted Chocolatier Aims to Continue the Legacy of Stardew Valley
For eight years, Stardew Valley has consistently been a hit. From longtime gamers to newcomers who had previously never played video games, Stardew Valley has resonated with a diverse group, and this has played a huge part in its success. Haunted Chocolatier may be changing its scenery to a friendly, ghost-infested chocolate-making castle, but it still appears to hold the same cozy spirit of the farm simulator that made its success possible.
As of December 2024, Stardew Valley has sold over 40 million copies.
There’s no telling when Haunted Chocolatier will be ready for players, but when the day comes, everyone, regardless of platform, will hopefully get to jump into ConcernedApe’s new world. Haunted Chocolatier may have a lot to live up to, but ConcernedApe’s impressive track record bodes well for the title.
Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
- Platform(s)
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Microsoft Windows
- Released
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2025-00-00
- Engine
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MonoGame
- ESRB
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e