Haunted Chocolatier - an ambitious game by the author of the legendary Stardew Valley is currently being actively developed, but the release should not be expected in the near future
More than three years have passed since the announcement of Haunted Chocolatier, a new game by Eric Barone, known as ConcernedApe, the creator of the cult Stardew Valley. Despite the long absence of specifics, the developer confirmed that work on the project is ongoing, but the release is not yet on the horizon.
Here's What We Know
Haunted Chocolatier is an atmospheric RPG with simulation elements, where instead of farming, players manage a chocolate shop in a mysterious world inhabited by ghosts and monsters. The game retains Barone's signature pixelated style, but offers new mechanics, including a deeper combat system and exploration.
In a recent interview and social media updates, Barone admitted that due to the ongoing support for Stardew Valley, including the massive 1.6 update, development of Haunted Chocolatier was somewhat delayed. Now he is fully focused on the new game, but he is in no hurry to set strict deadlines, as he wants to make it better than his previous hit.
"I hope to have the game out within the next five years," says Barone, "but there's still a lot of work to do, and I don't want to rush it. He also jokes that he dreams of disappearing into the woods for a few years to fully immerse himself in development.
There is speculation among fans that the release may not be until 2026, and possibly later, given the amount of work and attention to detail.
Source: TigerBelly
