Summary

  • A Joja Corp co-worker seemingly visits Pelican Town, surprising Stardew Valley players.
  • The woman and child seen in-game also appear in promotional art, sparking debates.

A Stardew Valley player has made an interesting observation, pointing out that one of the player's co-workers from Joja Corp seems to visit Pelican Town later in the game. It's an interesting detail that few Stardew Valley players seem to have noticed.

In Stardew Valley, players start the title working for the mega corporation Joja, being miserable behind a desk. After deciding to make a change, players move to Stardew Valley and their Grandpa's old farm, and from there, it would seem like the farmer left behind everything in their old life, beyond the presence of a Joja Mart and representative in town. However, it seems like at least one person from their old job ends up visiting Pelican Town.

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Reddit user Aggressive-Union562 pointed out the detail, noting that a woman seen working at Joja appears later on in Stardew Valley. In the introductory sequence of the game, when the camera pans across multiple Joja desks, a blonde woman wearing red, with her hair in a bun, can be seen sitting behind one of the desks. Later on, during the Stardew Valley Fair, a woman who looks just like her can be seen standing with her child in the center of Pelican Town. While there's no conversation or acknowledgment between characters, it seems like the same person has taken some time away from their Joja job to relax in the Valley.

Joja Co-Worker Has Surprising Presence in Stardew Valley

While a simple cameo from a co-worker would be interesting enough, another player pointed out that this same woman and her child are also visible in the promotional art for the Stardew Valley symphony artwork. It's an interesting inclusion, considering the apparent lack of importance of the character. Some have debated whether it's actually the same woman, as the mother at the fair has a visible nose, whereas the one at the Joja desk doesn't. However, the sprite style also looks different, so it may be that features like noses weren't included in the first sprite, or the character design may have changed somewhat over time.

Without a confirmation from ConcernedApe, it's not 100% certain if this is indeed the same woman. However, considering the time and effort the developer has put into the title over the years, it seems unlikely that he would have put two nearly identical-looking NPCs into the game by accident. While it remains to be seen if he'll ever comment on this, with Haunted Chocolatier seemingly taking place in the same world, it will be exciting to see what cameos might appear in that game.

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Stardew Valley Tag Page Cover Art

Stardew Valley
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RPG
Simulation
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
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Released
February 26, 2016
ESRB
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Publisher(s)
ConcernedApe
Engine
Proprietary
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!

Cross Save
cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical or Horizontal
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
Platform(s)
PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch
Genre(s)
RPG, Simulation
How Long To Beat
53 Hours
X|S Optimized
No
File Size Xbox Series
1 GB (November 2023)
Local Co-Op Support
1-4 Players
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty