Stardew Valley creator says he's not ready to quit developing the game entirely, and that he's left the window for a return open

The creator of Stardew Valley, Eric Barone, who also goes by the name "ConcernedApe", has stated that he is not ready to fully complete the development of the farming simulator even after 12 years of release. He stressed his continued commitment to the game and its community, leaving room for future updates.
Here's What We Know
Although no content updates are currently planned for the game, Barone noted that he does not rule out the potential of returning to the game's development at some point. The last major update for the game, version 1.6, introduced new late-game content, additional farming features, and modding improvements, demonstrating the developer's commitment to improving the player experience.
Barone is currently focusing on his next project, Haunted Chocolatier, a game that combines resource management and storytelling elements. Despite working on this new project, Barone insists that his connection to Stardew Valley remains strong, leaving fans hopeful for potential surprises in the future.
Source: Eurogamer