Summary
Haunted Chocolatieris set to be the next full-scale project from the developer of one of last decade’s best games.Stardew Valleywas a revelation and is still being given updates to this day, being a game that can be enjoyed for hundreds of hours thanks to the litany of things to do.The success ofStardew Valleyhas been the main fuel for the anticipation of what’s coming next, as well as the openness and generosity of the solo developer behind it.
While little remains known aboutHaunted Chocolatier, the promotional material has indicated that it won’t stray too far from the idea thatStardew Valleyhad all those years ago. It will likely have similar mechanics, and thus it will be looking to compete against the same franchises from other developers. Because of this, there could be a predisposition that ConcernedApe will have to reestablish his place in the cozy indie game space. This isn’t necessarily the case.
ConcernedApe Has Earned His Place with Stardew Valley
It’s hard to believe thatStardew Valleywas made by just a single person, as even at launch there was an abundance of activities to engage with, and very few ever felt like a chore. Spending time with the residents of Pelican Town, ticking off tasks on the farm, or delving deeper intoStardew Valley’s minesare all so much fun to do, and in the eight years since, ConcernedApe has added plenty of new elements to keep people entertained. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and there’s no reason to suggest thatHaunted Chocolatierwon’t have a similar trajectory.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work onHaunted Chocolatier, and making good progress. Mostly, I’m working on core elements of the game. I will be doing this for a while. I don’t really feel like sharing much, because I’d rather let the game be a surprise than reveal everything. I just like working in secret.” - Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone, December 2021
Haunted Chocolatier Has No Release Date Yet, Which Isn’t a Problem
After ConcernedApe paused development onHaunted Chocolatierto work onStardew Valley’s 1.6 updatereleased in March, those eager to receive a release date for the former project may have been left disappointed. However, while the developer has earned the right to announce and release his next title whenever he sees fit, he also doesn’t have to worry about the competitors that it will have to contend with, because it’s coming off the back of a game that really helped to make farming simulators more commonplace and mainstream.
Stardew Valleyhas spawned similar games likeFae FarmandPotion Permit, which seem to be popping up frequently.Story of SeasonsandHarvest Moonare also inspired by it. It’s safe to say, then, that ConcernedApe is the trailblazer in 2024, and with that reputation comes anticipation for the next project among fans. Because of this, the developer has less pressure to releaseHaunted Chocolatiertoo early, when it’s potentially not ready.
Worthwhile Competition is Hard to Come By for Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatiercould be released on the same day as a half dozen other cozy indie games, and would likely still be the north star for fans of the genre.Stardew Valleybeing as good as it is means thatConcernedApe can releaseHaunted Chocolatierwhen he wants, and people will likely still vote with their wallets, which is a real advantage over its contemporaries.
