Summary
The long wait for ConcernedApe’s chocolate confectionery store simulatorHaunted Chocolatiercontinues, as theStardew Valleydeveloper remains committed to ensuring his next game is in excellent condition before he releases it into the wild. At the moment, there is no official release date forHaunted Chocolatier, nor is there an estimated date for when the game might be completed. That being said, ConcernedApe has assured fans that he isstill working onHaunted Chocolatier, despite the lack of progress updates.
There may not be a set release date forHaunted Chocolatierjust yet, but there is plenty of reason to believe it will steal away someStardew Valleyplayers once it launches. Both games are similar in their art design and concept, despiteHaunted Chocolatierseemingly being a bit less cozy thanStardew Valleywith its emphasis on combat and business management. As such, it would make sense forStardew Valley’s player count to drop onceHaunted Chocolatierarrives. That being said, there is a clear strategy ConcernedApe could implement to ensure both games receive equal attention, both from their developer and their fans.
Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier Deserve Equal Attention
Stardew Valley Has Continued to Receive Updates Alongside Haunted Chocolatier’s Development
Somehow, ConcernedApe has managed to continue the development ofHaunted Chocolatierover the past years, all while not only maintainingStardew Valleybut also providing it with significant content updates to keep players invested.Stardew Valley’s recent 1.6 update, for instance, added new festivals and events, a mastery system for new perks and items, a new farm type, new NPC dialogue, hundreds of new items, and countless quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. It was a substantial update, and it likely won’t be the last. Yet,Haunted Chocolatier’s development has somehow progressed through it all.
Stardew Valley Can’t Be Left in the Dust Once Haunted Chocolatier Launches
There’s a good chance that a decent portion ofStardew Valleyfanswill at least temporarily make the move over toHaunted Chocolatieronce it launches. Should this happen, and depending on the scale, ConcernedApe will likely feel pressure to focus more on the post-launch development ofHaunted Chocolatier, especially if it turns out that the majority ofStardew’s players have hopped over toHaunted Chocolatierfor the long haul. Of course, ConcernedApe devoting most of his time toHaunted Chocolatierfor no less than six months following its launch would make sense, as it would allow him to get the game in a place where it is more or less self-sustaining.
That being said, as soon asHaunted Chocolatier’s initial post-launch fixes phase is over, perhapsConcernedApe’s attention should be split evenly between the two games to allow both of them to continue receiving significant content updates, just asStardew Valleyhas for several years now. By now, ConcernedApe has proven he is every bit capable of developing two projects at once. This is not to mention the fact that, while one of those projects is already built and calls for fresh content every so often, the other project has yet to be finished.
OnceHaunted Chocolatieris finished, however, it should give ConcernedApe much more leeway to keep bothHaunted ChocolatierandStardew Valleysimultaneously updated using the same strategy he has used to letStardew Valleythrive whileHaunted Chocolatieris still in development. There is little doubt that players will want to see new content added toHaunted Chocolatierafter it launches, butStardew Valleycan’t be left in the dust in the process. Thankfully, ConcernedApe is clearly capable of keeping two trains chugging at once, so perhapsStardew Valleyfans will still have reason to return to their farms even afterHaunted Chocolatierlaunches.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
