Eric Barone discusses Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier

Eric Barone, known as ConcernedApe, spoke to GQ about the differences between his popular game Stardew Valley and its upcoming sequel, Haunted Chocolatier, in an interview reported by Eurogamer. He mentioned that while Haunted Chocolatier was announced in 2021, progress has been slow as he continues to work on Stardew Valley.

Development challenges and delays

Barone admitted in June that he felt embarrassed for having to repeatedly confirm that he was still working on Haunted Chocolatier. He described it as "a bit silly to keep posting the same thing over and over, but that's the reality," highlighting the difficulty of managing expectations during long development periods.

Haunted Chocolatier’s unique approach

Haunted Chocolatier is described as significantly different from Stardew Valley, with a setting that is more "metaphysical" and gameplay that leans toward an action RPG. Barone emphasized that it is designed for players who enjoy the mining and combat elements of Stardew Valley, featuring adventure, equipment hunting, and boss battles.

Focus on quality and detail

Barone is dedicating significant time to perfecting every detail in Haunted Chocolatier, aiming to make frequently used game elements "perfect." He stressed that these elements must be smooth, clear, intuitive, satisfying, and visually appealing, using the example of the recipe book for chocolate making, which he described as a major design challenge.

Caution in revealing details

Barone expressed reluctance to reveal too much about Haunted Chocolatier at this stage, preferring to "serve well-baked bread" rather than "half-baked bread." He noted that many aspects of the game may change before release and that revealing them too early could risk disappointing players if the final product does not meet their expectations.

Team expansion and development approach

Haunted Chocolatier currently has no release date, similar to the 1.7 update for Stardew Valley, on which Barone is not working directly. He mentioned expanding his team slightly to focus more on Haunted Chocolatier, while the .7 update involves a more collaborative process with his team working independently under his direction.

Work habits and time management

Barone acknowledged the difficulty of changing his work habits, as he tends to focus entirely on one project at a time. He is working to develop the discipline to balance his time between Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier, noting that it requires constant effort to improve in this area.