Stardew Valley
News, coverage and analysis tracking Stardew Valley across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Metal Gear Solid Composer's Studio Ghibli Jazz Album Announced
Scarlet Moon Records announced Prescription for Sleep: Ghibli, a new jazz arrangement album featuring music from Studio Ghibli films. The album, performed by Norihiko Hibino and AYAKI as GENTLE LOVE, will be released on July 20, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away. Three tracks are currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp.
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.
What Keeps Players Engaged Beyond Their Favorite Games and Why? | Invision Game Community
This article explores the psychological hooks and retention mechanics that keep players engaged with video games beyond their initial enjoyment. It discusses the substitution effect, the importance of social connections and virtual communities, and how dopamine loops and unpredictable rewards contribute to long-term player investment. The analysis also touches on how different genres utilize specific mechanics to maintain player interest and how games can serve as a form of escapism and therapeutic routine.
Save Up To 95% Off Thousands Of Games In The GOG Summer Sale
GOG has launched its Summer Sale, featuring discounts of up to 95% on over 8,000 games until July 9. Notable deals include Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition for $16, Control Ultimate Edition for $6, and the Yakuza Complete Collection for $44.79. The sale also offers significant price reductions on popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, and various indie games.
This week in PC games: Stardew Valley plus vampires, a lavish gamebook RPG, and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, finally
This week's PC game releases include the remake Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, the gamebook RPG Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, and various indie titles like Cosmodrill and Mothkeep. News includes potential job cuts at Microsoft and studio closures, while previews of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced and interviews are also mentioned.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – July 5, 2026 – Star Fox leads again
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of July 5, 2026, show Star Fox leading for the second consecutive week. Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are also performing well due to ongoing sales. Moonlight Peaks is making a strong debut, ranking sixth overall and first on the download-only list.
Summer Vacation Handheld Loadout 2026 | TAG
This guide provides recommendations for pre-installing 4-6 games on handheld devices for vacation gaming, emphasizing variety and offline playability. It covers device-specific considerations for Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and iPad, along with strategies for battery management, cloud saves, and storage. The article also suggests backup activities and packing checklists for a seamless gaming experience during travel.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 4, 2026 – Rhythm Heaven Groove on top
Rhythm Heaven Groove has topped the Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 4, 2026, overtaking Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Moonlight Peaks also debuted on the charts following pre-load availability. The article lists the top 30 games overall and the top 30 download-only titles.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 3: Nintendo Summer Sale continues
Nintendo's Summer Sale continues for another week, featuring discounts on first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Various digital deals are also available across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, including PlayStation Plus member exclusives and Xbox Game Pass discounts.
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.
PlayStation killing discs is bad for everyone, whether you care about physical games or not
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs in 2028 is a significant loss for consumers, impacting game preservation and the used games market. While digital distribution benefits publishers, the end of physical media raises concerns about long-term game access, potential surveillance pricing, and Sony's complete control over its ecosystem.
Amber Isle Switch Review - A Chaotic Cozy Sim with Broken Performance | Invision Game Community
Amber Isle is a cozy shopkeeping simulation game with a charming prehistoric theme and deep character customization, but its Nintendo Switch port suffers from significant performance issues. The game offers a delightful experience with engaging writing and world design, however, frequent frame rate drops, object pop-in, and stability problems detract from the intended relaxing atmosphere. While the PC version may offer a smoother experience, the Switch version is difficult to recommend in its current state.
"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.
6 Vacation Week Games to Finish Before Flying Home | TAG
This guide recommends six games that can be completed within a 5-10 hour playtime, ideal for finishing during a week-long vacation. It emphasizes narrative-driven and handheld-compatible titles like Inside, Stray, A Short Hike, What Remains of Edith Finch, and Firewatch, with Outer Wilds suggested for longer vacations. The article also provides advice on session structure, device choice, and avoiding common vacation gaming pitfalls.
'I Torture Myself Over Every Last Detail' — Stardew Valley Creator ConcernedApe Says He's 'Still Here, Still Grinding' on Haunted Chocolatier
ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, has provided an update on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, assuring fans that development is ongoing despite the long wait. He cited his meticulous approach to game development as the reason for the extended production time.
"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.
