Stardew Valley Creator's New Game Haunted Chocolatier Is "More of an Action RPG" Than a Farming Sim

Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley, has given a new interview revealing some details about his upcoming title, Haunted Chocolatier. In an extensive interview with GQ, covering topics from creative burnout to the importance of "enjoyable games," Barone also shares new details on what to expect from his anticipated follow-up to Stardew Valley. Read more

If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

"It's for the people who go to the mines."

Stardew Valley creator Eric Baron has given a new interview and finally revealed a few details about his upcoming title, Haunted Chocolatier. In a wide-ranging interview with GQ, which touches on topics ranging from creative burnout to the importance of "nice play," Barron also offers new information on what we can expect from his highly anticipated follow-up to Stardew Valley.

And this is surprising. According to the interview, the game is much more action-packed than the cozy homestead of Stardew Valley: "It's still what I'd call an urban game, but it's more of an action RPG – the main focus is more on adventuring, finding equipment and getting stronger. There's monsters, there's boss fights."

For anyone who has played Stardew Valley, this won't come as a huge shock. There is a combat element to the game, though it's mostly isolated to one part of the map - the mines that hold some of the rarest materials in the game. If you enjoy traveling there at night to fight slimes and piles of minerals, then it looks like you'll love the Haunted Chocolatier. "[The new game] is for people in Stardew Valley who go mining. That's what I do, honestly," Baron said.

Elsewhere, Barron noted that Haunted Chocolatier is a more "metaphysical" experience than Stardew Valley - which I suppose makes sense given its connection to the world of ghosts and spirits - and that "nobody's playing the game until I'm ready to show it off". Hence, there is no news about the exact release date yet.

Our last update was in January, where Barron said, "I'm alive, the game is still in development," following up on previous comments that hinted at the fact that the world of Haunted Chocolatier is bigger than Stardew Valley. As for when it will be released? "The bottom line is that I don't want to announce a release date," Baron said at the beginning of the year. "The game will be released when it's finished."

If you want to know more about the man behind one of the biggest video game phenomena of the last few generations, I urge you to read the full GQ piece: it's a sensitive and comprehensive look at a man who is so talented, yet so humble. If you're interested in the musical side of his development, I profiled Barron once in my Guardian column.