ConcernedApe
ConcernedApe business and news from across the web.
Help, I can't decide if Stardew Valley in 3D is amazing or horrifyingA modder named kittycatcasey has created a proof-of-concept for a 3D version of Stardew Valley, which is compatible with VR. While the mod's creator plans to eventually give everything unique 3D models, the current version uses 2D sprites that swivel to face the player, creating a potentially unsettling effect that the author finds both "amazing" and "horrifying."
Summer Games Done Quick 2026: Watch Day 3 hereSummer Games Done Quick 2026 is underway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raising funds for Doctors Without Borders. The event features speedruns of various games, including highlights like "Hollow Knight: Silksong" and "Pragmata." The marathon continues through Saturday, July 11, with schedules available on the Games Done Quick website.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
"I torture myself over every last detail": Stardew Valley's creator is having a real time of it with Haunted Chocolatier's recipe book interfaceConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, shared insights into the development of his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, specifically detailing the challenges of designing its recipe book interface. He emphasized the need for the UI to be seamless, clear, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing, requiring numerous iterations to achieve perfection. Barone also apologized for the lack of new screenshots, likening them to 'half-baked bread' and stating he doesn't need to market the game aggressively.
Haunted Chocolatier fans don't have fresh screenshots to fawn over because Eric Barone says sharing them mid-development 'feels like serving half-baked bread'Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, explained his reluctance to share screenshots or detailed system explanations for Haunted Chocolatier during its development. He likens it to serving 'half-baked bread,' preferring to present a finished product to avoid disappointing players. Barone also noted that the game is taking longer than expected due to its larger scope compared to Stardew Valley and his perfectionist approach.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Long Development Comes Down To Chasing PerfectionEric "ConcernedApe" Barone, developer of Haunted Chocolatier, discussed the game's lengthy development in a recent blog post, attributing the delay to a pursuit of perfection in core gameplay elements. He emphasized the need for mechanics like chocolate making to be seamless and intuitive, explaining that this iterative process is why he has been hesitant to reveal too much about the game before its eventual release.
"Yep," Haunted Chocolatier creator ConcernedApe is "still working on the game" – but he doesn't want to give too much away: "I would rather serve a fully baked bread"ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, has provided an update on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, stating that development is ongoing but he prefers to share details only when the game is closer to completion. He likens the process to baking bread, wanting to serve a fully baked product rather than a half-baked one, and acknowledges that the game is taking a long time to develop due to its scope and his desire for perfection in every aspect.
Eric Barone gives players a small update on Haunted Chocolatier's progress: 'It’s not a simple task, as I torture myself over every last detail'Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, provided an update on Haunted Chocolatier, acknowledging the slow progress due to his meticulous attention to detail. He emphasized that the game will be larger than Stardew Valley and that he is iterating on core mechanics like chocolate making to ensure a seamless and satisfying player experience.
Haunted Chocolatier is "taking a long time," admits Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe – but going "over every last detail" is just what it takes "to make a game I'm satisfied with"Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, has provided an update on his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, acknowledging that development is taking a long time due to his meticulous attention to detail. He aims for every aspect of the game to be seamless, clear, and satisfying, comparing the process to perfecting the chocolate recipe book. Barone also dedicates time to the 1.7 update for Stardew Valley.
Stardew Valley player farming at 50x speed with 28-second long days commits to beating the cozy sim in the least cozy…A player known as Rath Games is attempting to beat Stardew Valley by playing at 50x speed, resulting in in-game days that last only 28 seconds. This challenge run, documented on YouTube, involves Rath Games employing various exploits to manage farming, fishing, and other activities within the drastically shortened timeframes.
Vampire Survivors has a free content expansion, plus a Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC in Summer 2026Developer poncle has released a free content update for Vampire Survivors, version 1.15, which includes major quality-of-life improvements, new content like stages and characters, and various tweaks. Additionally, the 'Legacy of the Bloodmoon' DLC was announced for Summer 2026, serving as an expansion to 'Legacy of the Moonspell'. poncle also revealed plans for a new studio in Japan headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and a lineup of 'Survivaton' games.
Stardew Valley doesn't have any microtransactions because Eric Barone values the player 'more than the money I…Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone stated that the game does not feature microtransactions because he values player affection over potential revenue. He believes this approach aligns with the game's theme of authentic living and brings him more happiness than financial gain. Despite its affordability and lack of monetization, Stardew Valley has achieved significant commercial success.
Wildcard Wishlist: 14 games we're desperate to see at Summer Game Fest 2026This article outlines a wishlist of 14 games the GamesRadar+ team hopes to see announced or receive updates on at Summer Game Fest 2026. The list includes highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, The Witcher 4, and The Elder Scrolls 6, alongside more speculative wishes for unrevealed games such as Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe and Persona 6.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
10 Co-Op Games Couples Actually Finish Together (2026) | TAGThis article highlights ten co-op games suitable for couples, focusing on titles that can be completed within a reasonable timeframe, typically 10 to 25 hours. It categorizes games based on player skill levels and preferences, offering options for mixed-skill pairs, experienced gamers, and those new to the medium. The list includes titles like It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Unravel Two, and Portal 2, emphasizing games that promote shared experiences and achievable endings.
'I just need to disappear, go into a cabin': Eric Barone has found the answer to Haunted Chocolatier's…Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, discussed the development of his upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier, stating it is larger in scope than Stardew Valley. He revealed he is now dedicating five days a week to Haunted Chocolatier and two days to Stardew Valley, finding the current development process more challenging due to external distractions compared to when he made Stardew Valley.
Solo Survival Guide: 8 Games No Discord Ping (2026) | TAGThis guide identifies eight games ideal for long-term solo play in 2026, focusing on replayability, offline functionality, and lack of notifications. The selected titles include Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, Hades II, Stardew Valley, Terraria, Elden Ring, Outer Wilds, and Final Fantasy XIV, with recommendations for hardware like the Steam Deck and PC.
"You're Offloading Creativity To An Algorithm" - Stardew Valley Creator Stands Firm Against AIStardew Valley creator Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, has expressed a firm stance against the use of artificial intelligence in creative endeavors, including game development. He believes AI undermines the human element and prefers human expression over algorithms for his projects like Stardew Valley and the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier. While acknowledging potential niche uses for AI, Barone emphasizes that human creativity should always take priority.
"I'm not going to actually do this" - Stardew Valley creator isn't really going to let you cheat in your marriage in the cosy farming simStardew Valley creator Eric Barone clarified that he is not planning to add the ability for players to cheat on their in-game spouses. While he discussed the theoretical merits of allowing "wicked things" in sandbox games with consequences, he stated that such a feature is "too realistic" and would negatively impact the game's tone. Barone is currently working on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier.
No, Eric Barone is not adding infidelity to Stardew Valley, although he did briefly consider letting you ruin marriages,…Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone has clarified that the game will not be introducing infidelity or divorce mechanics, despite some reports suggesting otherwise. Barone explained that while he briefly considered allowing players to break up existing in-game marriages, he ultimately decided against it due to moral concerns and the potential for it to be 'too real' for players seeking an escape. He attributed the confusion to mistranslations and out-of-context quotes from an interview.