Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone said he hopes to release his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, by 2030—though he still isn't ready to commit to any timeframe, no matter how long. His comment suggests that Haunted Chocolatier may launch significantly later than many fans might have expected.
Barone originally announced Haunted Chocolatier in October 2021, describing it as a chocolatier simulation game with action RPG elements and a fantasy setting filled with ghosts. The Los Angeles-born developer has provided multiple status updates on the game ever since, but without attempting to narrow down the timeframe for its release.
Haunted Chocolatier and Stardew Valley dev explains why development on the new game is taking time, and gives hints at future Stardew Valley updates.
During a recent interview with comedian and podcaster Bobby Lee, Barone was questioned about the current development status of Haunted Chocolatier. Asked if the game was coming out in the next five years, he thought about his answer for a second before offering a tentative "I hope so" in response. Elaborating on this notion, Barone explained that there's "a lot that still needs to be done" before the project nears completion.
Although Haunted Chocolatier was announced...
