Haunted Chocolatier's Ideal Release Date Seems Clear

There's no telling when Haunted Chocolatier will be ready, but the spiritual successor to Stardew Valley has been highly anticipated ever since it was announced back in 2021. Haunted Chocolatier has still yet to be released, but solo developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, has recently shared some promising news on the game's development.

Talking to PC Gamer, Barone confirmed that he had switched his focus fully to Haunted Chocolatier. Continuing to update Stardew Valley had been keeping Barone from making significant progress on Haunted Chocolatier, but that now seems to be changing. It's unclear exactly how much work has been completed on the candy-centric successor, but with Stardew Valley's ten-year anniversary happening next year, Haunted Chocolatier could have the ideal release date in its sights.

Haunted Chocolatier is Holding One of its Most Important Cards Close to the Chest

Though Haunted Chocolatier is still very early in development, one key aspect of its gameplay is arguably more in the dark than other features.

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By Megan Lorich

Haunted Chocolatier Has a Perfect Opportunity to Honor Its Predecessor

Stardew Valley was released on February 26, 2016.

Of course, it's important to note that Barone has stated that production on Haunted Chocolatier may still take a while. During the PC Gamer interview, Barone stated:

"I’m still tweaking the vertical slice. There is still vertical slice work to be done. At the same time, I have been working on content. So it’s a little bit of both. I’m still totally knee-deep into development. It’s going to be awhile. I’m trying not to rush myself too much. I’m trying to stay relaxed and stress-free."

Game development is challenging enough with the help of a team, let alone on one's own, so it's completely understandable why Barone has taken so long to craft Haunted Chocolatier. Barone further claimed to PC Gamer that he would "have to completely cut off everything else."

It's unclear if Haunted Chocolatier will be released for the Switch 2, and a port for Stardew Valley has yet to be confirmed.

A February 2026 Launch May Be a Pipe Dream, But It's Not Impossible

Based on Barone's comments, it does seem like there's a lot more work to be done than just a few months, but there is always room for surprises. Stardew Valley fans have been waiting for Haunted Chocolatier for a long time now, and there's still a small chance that Barone has completed more of the game than he lets on. This is likely wishful thinking, but it would also be a fun way to subvert fan expectations.

As of December 2024, Stardew Valley had sold over 41 million copies.

I’m still totally knee-deep into development. It’s going to be awhile. I’m trying not to rush myself too much. I’m trying to stay relaxed and stress-free.

If Haunted Chocolatier Isn't Ready, February 2026 Could Still Have Exciting Things in Store

It's unlikely that the 10th anniversary of Stardew Valley will just come and go without any kind of celebration. Whether it be something planned by Barone himself or the passionate Stardew Valley community, there are bound to be fun tributes on the horizon.

Over the years, Stardew Valley has helped grow a tight-knit community of gamers who love to celebrate the game in a variety of ways. From fan art to making their own unique mods, Stardew Valley players have helped build the game's legacy. So, while Haunted Chocolatier probably may or may not be ready in time for February 26, 2026, it will be a huge milestone for Stardew Valley nonetheless.

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