Highlights

  • Stardew Valley's developer, ConcernedApe, may have something significant planned for the game's eighth anniversary, so fans should stay tuned for updates.
  • The highly anticipated 1.6 update for Stardew Valley is expected to include new content such as a new major festival, mini-festivals, a new farm type, and more.
  • ConcernedApe's upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, might receive a progress update or potentially be released in 2024. Stardew's eighth anniversary is an ideal time for an announcement.

Stardew Valley is undoubtedly one of the greatest farm sim games ever made, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans and adopted by newcomers, even though it was released back in 2016. Now, with the game's eighth anniversary just around the corner, Stardew's developer ConcernedApe could have something significant planned, and fans will want to keep their ear to the ground in anticipation.

During Stardew Valley's last anniversary in 2023, ConcernedApe shared a brief letter of appreciation to fans for their support on X (formerly Twitter). However, with the news of other exciting things on the horizon by the developer, it's possible ConcernedApe could have something different in store for the beloved farm sim's 2024 anniversary.

Player character looking surprised in front of the chocolate shop from Haunted Chocolatier
Related
Haunted Chocolatier's Workplace Sim May Have One Key Disadvantage Compared to Stardew Valley

Haunted Chocolatier shares several elements of Stardew Valley's premise, but it could be more limited due to one notable circumstance.

What to Expect From ConcernedApe on February 26

ConcernedApe May Give More Info on Stardew Valley's 1.6 Update Release Date

Stardew Valley is already a complete game, but ConcernedApe continues to faithfully update it and add content to it regardless. Stardew's 1.6 update is highly anticipated, as the developer claims it will add plenty of new content to the game, including a new major festival, two new mini-festivals, a new farm type, new items and crafting recipes, and more.

Fans have already deduced that the new major event being added Stardew Valley is a New Year's festival after ConcernedApe shared an image of the festival on X on New Year's Eve 2023. Since then, the developer's X page has been quiet, with nothing more than fans continuing to respond to its most recent post about the New Year's festival.

While ConcernedApe has yet to announce a release date for Stardew Valley 1.6, it's possible the update could launch on February 26, as the developer has already confirmed its 2024 release. On Stardew's third anniversary in 2019, ConcernedApe announced a release date for Stardew Valley on Android, so it could follow suit with the game's 1.6 update. However, given the anniversary is approaching rather quickly, it's more likely that info regarding the update's progress will be disclosed instead.

ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier Could Receive a Progress Update

ConcernedApe's upcoming confectionery store simulation game, Haunted Chocolatier, has been in development for around four years now, and as Stardew Valley took around four and a half years to complete, 2024 is a possible release of the developer's next game. If Haunted Chocolatier isn't released in 2024, fans may, at the very least, receive an update regarding its progress. Stardew Valley's eighth anniversary would be the perfect time to do this.

ConcernedApe Could Repeat Last Year's Anniversary Event

Last year, ConcernedApe shared a post with its fans on X that read, "Today is the 7-year anniversary of Stardew's launch. Thank you for supporting the game these past 7 years and giving me this special opportunity." What made this post different from past anniversary posts, however, is that the text was placed over an image, rather than being a simple post. If nothing else, the developer could repeat its pattern of using Stardew's anniversary as an opportunity to express appreciation in 2024.

Whether ConcernedApe uses Stardew Valley​​​​​​'s upcoming eighth anniversary as a means for announcing something big remains to be seen, but fans are more than likely going to receive something of significance from the developer, even if it is another letter of gratitude. Of course, this is all assuming the developer has plans to take advantage of Stardew's 2024 anniversary, so it's nothing more than speculation at this point.