ConcernedApe admits he was “starting to work” on Stardew Valley 2

ConcernedApe started on Stardew Valley 2, then moved to Haunted Chocolatier

This caught my attention because Stardew Valley isn’t just a hit game – it’s an indie touchstone that reflects a single creative voice. Hearing Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone admit he began work on a sequel before pivoting to Haunted Chocolatier gives real insight into how he balances creative impulse, responsibility to fans, and his own craft.

Key Takeaways

• Barone confirms he briefly started development on a Stardew Valley 2, but paused that work to focus on Haunted Chocolatier.
• He insists on being heavily involved in anything bearing the Stardew name to preserve the franchise’s “soul,” limiting when a sequel/spinoff could happen.
• Haunted Chocolatier is effectively the immediate priority; a Stardew follow-up would most likely arrive only after that – possibly years from now.
• The creator sees lots of potential in the Stardew IP but is cautious about changing the cast or tone because of fan attachment to Pelican Town.

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Publisher|IGN (interview)
Release Date|Not specified
Category|Gaming
Platform|PC & consoles (Stardew Valley; Haunted Chocolatier platforms TBD)
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In a candid IGN interview, Barone described his development style as “scrappy” and very hands-on – he still feels like a “very amateur developer” despite Stardew Valley’s massive success. That mindset explains why a sequel is both tantalizing and fraught: he wants to capture the original spark he had in 2012, but also worries that a wholly new cast or setting could alienate the community that loves Pelican Town.

Why this matters — beyond the headline

There are three connected realities here. First, Stardew Valley is an IP with enormous goodwill; fans are deeply attached to its characters and rhythms. Second, Barone’s insistence on personal involvement means the franchise can’t be easily farmed out to a larger studio or full delegation to a team without risking change in tone. Third, Barone prioritizes his next original project — Haunted Chocolatier — so practical bandwidth is the limiting factor.

Put simply: the demand for more Stardew content exists, but its supply is governed more by Barone’s creative capacity and standards than by market pressure. His comment that Haunted Chocolatier might be “like the Stardew Valley 2, but a bit of a different [kind of] game” suggests he’s exploring similar design DNA in a fresh context rather than remaking the same formula.

Industry and community context

From an industry perspective, a franchise owner who refuses to dilute authorship is rare — and admirable. That control protects the brand’s integrity but invites slower output. Fans hoping for a sequel soon should temper expectations: Barone explicitly ties any Stardew follow-up to his availability and sense of ownership. He even frames a decade as a plausible window — not because the idea lacks, but because quality and authenticity matter more to him than speed.

There’s also a creative upside. A full sequel could let Barone build a new cast and systems without being constrained by decade-old code or save-state expectations. But it risks losing the familiar social feel that made Stardew resonate. His cautious language — considering using the existing cast or making a whole new world — shows he’s weighing player attachment against creative freedom.

What this means for players

If you love Stardew Valley, expect continued support for the original game and a long ramp to any formal sequel. Haunted Chocolatier is the nearer-term promise of Barone’s next big idea, and it may scratch similar design itches in a fresh package. Don’t plan on a quick Stardew 2 — plan on updates to the original, more staff-driven maintenance, and a likely multi-year wait for any full follow-up that bears Barone’s full creative stamp.

TL;DR — My take

Barone briefly began a Stardew Valley sequel but put it on hold to build Haunted Chocolatier. His insistence on being deeply involved to preserve Stardew’s “soul” means a true sequel or spin-off is likely a long-term project — possibly years after Haunted Chocolatier ships. That’s disappointing if you want a quick sequel, but it also bodes well for the integrity of anything that carries the Stardew name.