Highlights

  • Update 1.6 of Stardew Valley will give players Joja alternatives and potentially transform Pelican Town into a bustling metropolis under JojaCorp ownership.
  • The 1.6 update will introduce new late-game content and expand on each skill, such as Combat, Farming, Fishing, Foraging, and Mining.
  • Many smaller updates are planned for the 1.6 update, including new festivals, larger item storage capacity, new farm types, secrets, and crafting recipes.

Although Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone is working on a new game, Haunted Chocolatier, the hard-working developer has not abandoned Stardew Valley. Several years since Stardew Valley's 1.5 update added late-game content in the form of an entire new island to explore, Barone has teased that he is working on Update 1.6. Although he's only dropped a few teasing hints, it is clear that Stardew Valley's next update will be a game changer for the popular farming sim.

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JojaCorp May Finally Feel Like An Equal Path

JojaMart in Stardew Valley

Currently, Stardew Valley players are able to choose between restoring Pelican Town's Community Center and siding with JojaCorp to convert it into a warehouse. Some players feel that the JojaCorp path is lacking, especially as the late-game content is geared towards assuming the player sided with Pelican Town. Barone has promised "Joja alternatives to some of the end-game quests" in Update 1.6, which could possibly see Pelican Town transformed into even more of a bustling metropolis under full JojaCorp sway.

Will New Late-Game Content Continue Past Perfection?

Image of a character fishing in the Cindersap Forest River in Stardew Valley

Although Stardew Valley continues indefinitely, with players able to continue running their farm for years and years, the current "end" of the game is achieving Perfection. Players who have achieved Perfection - obtained every item, befriended every villager, built all Obelisks and the Golden Clock on their farm, and more - get to view a special cutscene and receive rewards including the ability to raise Golden Chickens.

However, Barone has confirmed that Stardew Valley's 1.6 update will include "new late-game content," including expansions relating to each of the game's skills - Combat, Farming, Fishing, Foraging, and Mining. It is possible that this update will include new goals for players to pursue beyond Perfection, perhaps in the form of these new skill upgrades. If skills are being expanded, it is also possible that new items to forage, crops to farm, fish to catch, or enemies to fight in the Mines will be added to the game. Another possibility is that more Professions - sub-disciplines within each skill - will be added, creating more variety for players interested in multiple playthroughs.

Skill

Level 5 Professions

Level 10 Professions

Combat

Fighter (attacks deal more damage) Scout (higher critical chance)

Brute (increase damage dealt) Defender (increase HP) Acrobat (decrease move cooldown) Desperado (critical strikes may insta-kill)

Farming

Rancher (animal products worth more) Tiller (crops worth more)

Coopmaster (befriend coop animals faster) Shepherd (befriend barn animals faster) Artisan (artisan goods worth more) Agriculturist (crops grow faster)

Fishing

Fisher (fish worth more) Trapper (crab pot resources reduced)

Angler (fish worth more) Pirate (2x chance to find treasure) Mariner (crab pots don't catch junk) Luremaster (crab pots worth without bait)

Foraging

Forester (gain 25% more wood) Gatherer (chance for 2x items)

Lumberjack (all trees can drop hardwood) Tapper (syrups worth more) Botanist (foraged items always maximum quality) Tracker (reveals forage locations)

Mining

Miner (+1 ore/vein) Geologist (chance for double gems)

Blacksmith (metal bars worth more) Prospector (2x coal chance) Excavator (2x geode chance) Gemologist (gems worth more)

Many Other Updates Are Planned For Stardew Valley 1.6

Stardew Valley Food Recipes Mail

Many other smaller updates will be included as part of Stardew Valley's Version 1.6 update. These include many changes that initially appear small, but could dramatically affect the game in a number of ways.

  • New festivals could fix the current lack of content during the summer season.
  • Big Chests will dramatically increase item storage capacity.
  • A new farm type could encourage players to start new playthroughs.
  • New secrets will occupy players seeking to uncover them.
  • New crafting recipes could include many items that improve quality of life in a variety of ways.
  • 100+ new dialogue lines could indicate the addition of new events, including for romanced partners.

Currently, Stardew Valley's 1.6 update does not have a release date, but it is clear that ConcernedApe has a lot of game-changing new content in store for players.