ConcernedApe
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ConcernedApe says sorry Haunted Chocolatier is taking so long: "I won’t compromise on the quality of the game by rushing it or releasing it too early"
Developer Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone provided an update on Haunted Chocolatier, apologizing for the long development time but emphasizing that he will not compromise on game quality. He assured fans that progress is being made and that he is driven to create a game he is proud of, similar to the success of Stardew Valley.
Way More Work (And Money) Went Into My Favorite Voice Mod Than I Thought
This article details the extensive work and financial investment that went into creating the Stardew Voices mod for Stardew Valley. Creator Shannon Hobby discusses the challenges of audio editing, the deliberate casting process to ensure fair pay for actors, and the personal toll of burnout while developing the mod. Hobby hopes this project can lead to professional opportunities in game voice acting and development.
Stardew Valley comes to Magic: The Gathering and fans aren't taking some of the new artwork well
A new limited release of Magic: The Gathering cards based on Stardew Valley has drawn criticism from fans due to the artwork, particularly the depiction of the character Elliott. The art style for the Secret Lair drops differs significantly from the in-game art, sparking debate within the Stardew Valley community about character interpretations and artistic direction.
Stardew Valley was almost canceled after Eric Barone's PC died without backups: "It feels crazy that it all…
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone revealed that the beloved farming simulator was nearly canceled due to a PC crash that resulted in data loss, as he had no backups. He was eventually able to recover the project from an old hard drive, allowing development to continue. Barone also discussed the ongoing development of his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, noting it is taking a long time to ensure quality.
'I'm in this whole new world': Here's what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew…
Developer Eric Barone reflects on the unexpected success of his solo-developed farming simulator, Stardew Valley, which he created over four years. He discusses his inspirations, including Harvest Moon, and the challenges of independent game development, expressing surprise and gratitude for the game's global reception and how it has changed his life.
Stardew Valley enters the third dimension thanks to this in-development mod that even comes with VR functionality
A modder named kittycatcasey has developed a mod called 'The Third Dimension' that transforms the 2D farming simulator Stardew Valley into a 3D experience. The mod currently functions as a proof of concept, with plans to replace billboarded sprites with unique 3D models over time. Notably, the mod also includes VR functionality, allowing players to interact with tools in a virtual environment.
Help, I can't decide if Stardew Valley in 3D is amazing or horrifying
A 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 here
Summer 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 interface
ConcernedApe, 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 Perfection
Eric "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 2026
Developer 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 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 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.
