Stardew Valley Creator Teases Exciting New Farm Type and Social Content for Update 1.7
Just when players thought they had finally seen everything Pelican Town in Stardew Valley has to offer, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone has pulled everyone back in. Despite the massive scale of the previous 1.6 expansion, it turns out the developer isn’t quite finished with his farming simulator yet. In a recent interaction with fans on social media, Barone confirmed that Stardew Valley is indeed gearing up for a 1.7 update, promising features that will likely have veteran farmers dusting off their overalls for yet another playthrough.
The news broke casually on X (formerly Twitter), where Barone often interacts directly with the community. When pressed by a fan for any crumbs of information regarding the future of Stardew Valley, the creator offered a surprisingly concrete tease. “There will be some more character/social stuff; it’s also traditional to add a new farm type,” Barone stated. He followed this up by noting there is “lots more” planned for the patch, though he stopped short of revealing the entire changelog this early in development.
A New Farm Layout to Master
The confirmation of a new farm type is significant for the longevity of the game. For years, Stardew Valley has expanded its replayability by offering distinct starting maps that cater to specific playstyles. We have seen layouts dedicated to foraging, mining, fishing, and combat. Most recently, the 1.6 update introduced the Meadowlands Farm, which gave players a chewy blue grass tailored for raising livestock.
With the 1.7 update, speculation is already running rampant regarding what a new map could entail. Given that almost every major mechanic has a dedicated farm, Barone might be looking to introduce a hybrid map or something entirely experimental. Regardless of the layout, a new farm type acts as a blank canvas that effectively forces players to restart their journey, ensuring Stardew Valley remains in the rotation for streamers and casual players alike.
Deepening Social Connections
Perhaps even more intriguing than a new plot of land is Barone’s mention of “character/social stuff.” Stardew Valley is as much a social sim as it is an agricultural one, and the characters are the heart of the experience. While the game already boasts a robust relationship system with cutscenes and marriage options, fans have always clamored for more depth.
“Social stuff” is a broad umbrella, but it could point toward new heart events, expanded dialogue for non-romanceable NPCs, or perhaps entirely new mechanics for interacting with villagers. Considering the game’s lore is surprisingly deep, any expansion to the social systems gives players a reason to befriend characters they might have ignored in previous save files.
Stardew Valley on the Switch 2
Beyond the 1.7 content update, Barone also touched on the game’s future on consoles. With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, fans are eager to know how the indie hit will transition to the next generation. Barone previously announced a specific edition for the new hardware, which is set to include mouse controls—a game-changer for console players—and four-player local co-op.
While the release window for the Switch 2 edition has been a bit nebulous, Barone reassured fans that an announcement is coming “very soon.” It seems that whether you are playing on PC or waiting for Nintendo’s next powerhouse, Stardew Valley is going to remain a staple of your gaming library for the foreseeable future. Between working on Haunted Chocolatier and maintaining his magnum opus, ConcernedApe is keeping plenty busy.
