Stardew Valley Celebrates It's Tenth Birthday
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of Stardew Valley's launch. The release of Stardew Valley was transformative for many reasons, such as:
- It's credited for the resurgence of farming simulator games and bringing cozy games more to a broader audience
- Showcased the power of indie games
- Many games that are in these genres have tried to replicate it's formula
And with ConcernedApe (Eric Barone), the creator of the game, still working on the game by creating new content and updates, development will not be slowing down anytime soon.
Even though the game was released in 2016, I didn't come across it until 2018. I purchased the game for my Nintendo Switch for only $14, and it was the best $14 I ever spent. Farming, mining, foraging, fishing, and combat—all activities that I have never really done in a game before—I am now doing and having a blast and stressing out about. Tending to my crops, fishing, selling my wares, socializing with the villagers, trying to run JojaMart out of town, and revitalizing the valley. There’s so much to do in this game, and you can accomplish all these goals anytime you want. I’m so used to having to get video game tasks done quickly in order to move along, and while Stardew Valley is no different in that aspect, there really is a focus on doing it slowly and no need to rush, which I found enjoyable.
Stardew Valley was essentially how I spent my summer that year. I was locked in and determined to make it as the new farmer, save the town from Joja Corporation, and become an active member in the local community. And while I have been on and off with my playtime, every time I come back to the game, I’m happy and stressed, and I get back down to business.
It was inspiring to learn about the development of Stardew Valley and how Eric had worked on it by himself for nearly 4 years. Additionally, reading about how one of the reasons he created Stardew Valley was to improve his programming skills encourages me to continue my own programming journey. What I wish to do in programming is still a mystery, but reading his story acts as motivation to continue improving my skills.
Stardew Valley will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to see what the future holds as we celebrate its anniversary!
Additional Links:
Stardew Valley Turns 10: The Big ConcernedApe Interview
❤️ If you enjoy my work, please consider becoming a recurring donor or adding to the tip jar. Your contribution allows me to continue creating writing pieces and help cover expenses. Thank you for your support!