Stardew Valley is a genuine indie success story. Created by one person and launching in 2016, Stardew Valley grew until it sold 10 million copies, and continues to find success today. As beloved as the original is, there could be more on the way. Eric Barone, the game's creator, is leaving the door open to a Stardew Valley 2.
Barone is hard at work on update 1.5 for Stardew Valley. While talking with Game Informer about the game, Barone mentioned that isn't he ready to announce update 1.6 (or any content after 1.5), but that he also isn't ready to bury the farm-simulating RPG yet either, including the possibility of a sequel.
As exhausting as it must be to create a gigantic game alone, it seems like an even bigger task to work on a sequel. But Barone states that he "would not be surprised if there’s another Stardew Valley update, or multiple updates, or a Stardew Valley 2," even. With over 10 million sales, it would be easy for someone like Barone to enjoy the fruits of their labor and relax. But he hasn't stopped supporting the game since it launched, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Who knows? There’s isn’t currently a Stardew Valley 2; after 1.5, I’ll decide what the next step for Stardew Valley is.
Barone hinting at the possibility of a Stardew Valley 2 shouldn't be taken as anything more than that--a possibility. But it is certainly interesting that Barone would at least consider it. Based on the sales of the first alone, there would most likely be an audience for it. In the meantime, the aforementioned update 1.5 to Stardew Valley will add content such as swimming ducks, new types of trees, and bananas.
Barone also mentioned that he is working on multiple other and completely different new ideas, and again, they are solo projects. The fact that he could also be releasing other full-fledged one-man developed games is perhaps even more intriguing than Stardew Valley 2. The charm, originality, and success of the first Stardew Valley would be very hard to top, but whether it's a sequel or something entirely new, finding out if Barone can find similar success would be compelling. And if he already has started elements of these new projects, they may end up being launched much before Stardew Valley 2, if it does ever release.
Stardew Valley is a deep video game with so much to explore and discover. It will be difficult to ever top the original. But with 10 million-plus players who have enjoyed the game, there will certainly be many fans who are rooting for Barone's next project to be just as successful.
Stardew Valley is available now for Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Source: GameInformer