Stardew Valley
News, coverage and analysis tracking Stardew Valley across the outlets.
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Long-Distance Couples Gaming: 7 Voice-Call Picks | TAG
This guide recommends seven games suitable for long-distance couples who communicate via voice calls, focusing on titles that facilitate shared experiences despite geographical separation. The selections range from asynchronous games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft to more structured co-op experiences such as It Takes Two and Helldivers 2, all supporting cross-platform play and voice chat.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 23, 2026 – Tomodachi Life is unbeatable
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 23, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. New releases like Rune Dice and Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection also appeared on the download-only list. The article provides a comprehensive ranking of the top 30 games and download-only titles.
Switch 2 Co-Op Picks for Couples Without a Shared TV | TAG
This guide highlights six Nintendo Switch 2 co-op games suitable for couples who play together but rarely share a screen. It categorizes recommendations based on different playing scenarios, such as schedule mismatches, travel, or playing in separate rooms, emphasizing games that work well with each player using their own device.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Witchfire
The latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features world-exclusive access to Witchfire, the dark fantasy RPG shooter from The Astronauts, ahead of its version 1.0 launch. The issue also includes previews of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and other upcoming games, along with reviews for titles like Crimson Desert and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. Additionally, it covers PC gaming's best MMOs, ergonomic PC gear, and delves into the legacy of ZQuest Classic.
Paralives is the very definition of early access, but it's already a promising Sims rival
Paralives is launching into early access on May 25th after seven years of development, and while it's buggy and incomplete, it shows immense promise as a rival to The Sims. The game features robust build/buy tools, extensive character customization with inclusive options, and engaging townie requests, though its live mode and AI autonomy require significant improvement.
20 Must-Play Games on Steam Deck in 2026 (Verified and Optimized) | TAG
This guide highlights 20 games that perform exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, focusing on session-friendliness and battery life. It categorizes games into quick sessions, hour-long sessions, and deep dives, while also noting AAA titles that are playable with adjustments. The article also details Valve's 'Steam Deck Verified' system and lists games that did not make the cut due to performance issues.
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 2026
This 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 Adventures of Elliot’s development team has quietly been mastering the modern minigame, and its latest action-RPG once again shows us how it’s done
The development team behind Square Enix's upcoming The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, led by director Tomaya Asano, demonstrates a mastery of integrating compelling minigames into RPGs. This approach, also seen in titles like Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler, enhances the overall player experience by adding meaningful, often challenging, side activities that complement the main gameplay loop.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026
This 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.
The MOP Up: EverQuest II invites players back to Kunark Ascending
EverQuest II's time-locked progression server Varsoon has launched its 13th expansion, Kunark Ascending. The article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Dungeons and Dragons Online, Myth of Empires: Throne, PUBG Battlegrounds, Last Epoch, Uncharted Waters Online, Entropia Universe, Gamble with Your Friends, Stardew Valley, Undecember, Reverse: 1999, and Marvel Rivals.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 17, 2026 – Yoshi overthrows Pokemon Pokopia
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 17, 2026, show "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" taking the top spot, dethroning "Pokemon Pokopia" due to pre-load sales. "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" and "Outbound" also entered the top ten.
10 Co-Op Games Couples Actually Finish Together (2026) | TAG
This 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.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 16, 2026 – Tomodachi Life on a strong run
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 16, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. Several other popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also feature prominently in the all-games list, while download-only games like Pokemon FireRed and Nine Sols are highlighted.
'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) | TAG
This 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.
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone would never use AI, instead wants to rely on human creativity—'I feel like that should take priority over a soulless machine'
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone stated he would never use AI in his creative process, believing it undermines the authentic human element of game development. He emphasized that human expression should take priority over machine-generated content. Barone's stance is shared by other industry figures who have criticized AI for being soulless and generic.
Interview: Learning More About the Vampire Farming Sim Moonlight Peaks
Yannis Bolman, CEO of Little Chicken and Director of Moonlight Peaks, discusses the upcoming vampire farming simulation. The game aims to blend traditional farming sim elements with a unique supernatural twist, featuring vampires, witches, and werewolves. Bolman also touches on player feedback from the demo, romance options, and potential post-launch content for the game, which is set to release on July 7, 2026, for Nintendo Switch, PC, and Android.
"You're Offloading Creativity To An Algorithm" - Stardew Valley Creator Stands Firm Against AI
Stardew 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 sim
Stardew 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.
