Did you know that Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the genius and mastermind behind the hit farming simulation game, Stardew Valley, has another game in the works? First announced back in 2021, he made an official blog post stating that he was deep into working on his second game, Haunted Chocolatier. 

If you’re hearing about this for the first time, here’s some good news: Haunted Chocolatier will be another simulation game that will this time be focused on gathering ingredients, making chocolate, and running a chocolate shop. Similar to Stardew Valley, this upcoming game will feature an adorable local town filled with various shops and lovable NPCs which you can interact with and learn about. One especially cool reveal is that this game will include much more combat opportunities, with shields and other weapons included to complement a variety of different play styles. 

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But with very few details being revealed and another couple of years before it will likely be released (there’s currently no release date), fans will unfortunately have to wait a little while longer before they can get a taste of this sure-to-be hit game. With a release date so far away, you may be wondering why you should be excited about this at all. 

With just one title under his belt, ConcernedApe’s claim to fame has been the impeccable attention and care he puts into creating his games. As the sole creator and maker of Stardew Valley, it took him a whopping 4 years of individual work before it was finally complete. Talk about commitment! Thanks to his unfaltering dedication, he was able to create one of the most beloved games on the market, allowing players to live on their very own dream farm. There are a number of reasons why Stardew Valley is amazing, but some shine more brightly than the rest.

What seems to resonate so greatly with fans is Stardew Valley’s exceptionally relaxing effect. With a fantastic play-at-your-own-pace style, players never have to feel rushed about completing missions or running out of time. You want to go fishing for three days straight? Be our guest! Feel like mining for the next five hours? You’re absolutely free to do so. In Stardew Valley, you’re welcome to live life however you please. Paired with soothing music, cute 8-bit graphics, and surprisingly engaging storylines, it’s the perfect game to play after an intense session of competitive games. 

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Because ConcernedApe is going to be working on Haunted Chocolatier by himself once again, fans can be sure to expect the same level of attention to detail and quality. Having already released several screenshots and even a teaser trailer, we can already tell that this new game will maintain the same vibe and aesthetic as its successful predecessor. Written by ConcernedApe himself in his official blog post, he says, “I intend for this game to be positive, uplifting and life-affirming.” We couldn’t be more excited to see what’s in store!

The last update fans were given on the progress of Haunted Chocolatier was posted just earlier this year in April of 2023. ConcernedApe revealed on Twitter that he was taking a break from working on Haunted Chocolatier so that he could create a new and exciting update (patch 1.6) for Stardew Valley. So while it looks like fans are going to have to wait even longer due to this short delay, we can’t deny that ConcernedApe’s genuine care toward creating the ultimate gaming experience will certainly make it worth the wait. In the meantime, while you anxiously wait for Haunted Chocolatier’s eventual release, why not take the time to revisit Stardew Valley? After all, the massive new update is sure to come out soon!