Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone has confirmed he’s working on another update for Stardew Valley. The solo developer shared the news recently, signaling that the beloved farming sim will continue receiving new content beyond the current 1.6 update series.
Details about the upcoming update remain a mystery. Barone hasn’t revealed a version number, release date, or what features players can expect. We don’t know if this will be a major content drop like version 1.5’s Ginger Island expansion or a smaller quality-of-life patch.
What we do know is that this represents yet another chapter in Stardew Valley‘s remarkable post-launch story. Since releasing in 2016, the game has received continuous free updates that have transformed it from an already-complete experience into something far bigger.
The 1.3 update brought multiplayer functionality. Version 1.4 added new events, items, and endgame content. The massive 1.5 update introduced an entire tropical island to explore, complete with new crops, enemies, and puzzles. Most recently, version 1.6 launched throughout 2024–2025, bringing major modding improvements, new festivals, and additional late-game content.
This level of support eight years after launch puts Stardew Valley in rare company. Games like Terraria and No Man’s Sky have similar reputations for extensive free updates, but Barone’s commitment as a solo developer makes it particularly impressive.
The new update exists separately from Barone’s other project, Haunted Chocolatier. That ghost-filled chocolate shop sim was announced in 2021 but still lacks a release date. Barone has mentioned switching between projects when he needs a creative refresh, which benefits both games.
The eternal harvest
Platform release timing will likely follow the established pattern. PC players usually get updates first, followed by console versions, with mobile ports arriving last. This staggered approach has worked well for previous updates, though it means mobile players might wait several months after the initial PC launch.
For now, Stardew Valley fans can simply enjoy knowing their favorite farming game isn’t done growing. Whether the next update brings new crops, areas, or quality improvements, it continues a tradition of generous post-launch support that has helped the game sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
