Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the creator behind the marvellous Stardew Valley, has participated in an interview with Aftermath in which he discusses a number of things including both Stardew Valley and his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. Barone admitted to the site that once he gets to work on Stardew Valley he has a really hard time stopping, as he always thinks of neat features that could be added to the game. Regarding his next project Haunted Chocolatier, Barone says that “When it’s ready, that’s when I’ll release it.”
“Once I reopen the book on Stardew, I always have a hard time closing it again because I always want to add more things, make it better, make it cooler, make people happy,” Barone said. “It’s exciting. Every single thing I’m adding, I’m thinking about how people are going to play this and talk about it and love it. It’s gonna be part of their experience. It could make a memory that they might cherish forever. That’s a special thing. It’s hard for me to not want to do that.”
“[Fan expectation] definitely puts pressure on me,” he said, “but it’s better to have a delayed game that’s actually good than a bad game that’s on time. When it’s ready, that’s when I’ll release it. I’m not too concerned with the pressure. I don’t feel like I owe anyone anything when it comes to Haunted Chocolatier. It’s a game that I’m deciding to make. I don’t need to make it.”
This reminds me of Panzer Dragoon Saga, which had a lengthy development time because the developers aimed to create a game they were passionate about, rather than focusing solely on commercial viability.
Despite PDS’s significant commercial failure, largely due to the Saturn’s performance, but also because of the extensive development time, it remains a treasured gem within the gaming community.
I appreciate Barone’s perspective. Not every game developer has the opportunity—or in some cases, the ability—to delay a game’s release for an extended period. However, it’s the final product that most effectively conveys the artistic vision.
I love that he’s so passionate about this game and offers this as free DLC. I hope he knows just how much his efforts are appreciated.
Might be a hot take but I wish CA would let this game rest already.
I cant wait. I just want it here now!
But youll buy remakes wont you AJ. If you dont care then why put your two cents in? Youre out. Many people are all in.