Haunted Chocolatier shows new signs of life
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, better known as ConcernedApe, is still developing his next game, Haunted Chocolatier. The project was announced in 2021, and Barone has since acknowledged that he revealed it earlier than he should have.
In an August blog post, Barone apologised for the lengthy development time but said he was not overly stressed about how long the game is taking. He wants to avoid rushing the project and potentially harming the finished result.
A stronger action-RPG focus
In an interview with GQ, Barone described Haunted Chocolatier as a “town game” while explaining that it is more heavily built around action than Stardew Valley.
Exploration, equipment and character progression will sit closer to the centre of the experience. Barone also confirmed that players will face monsters and boss fights, making the game a more combat-focused adventure than his farming and life simulator.
He compared that direction with the mine sections in Stardew Valley, which are among his favourite parts of the game. A wider combat role does not mean the cosy atmosphere is disappearing: players will still operate a chocolate business and spend time getting to know the locals.
Players wanting more background can browse this Haunted Chocolatier overview, while fans of compact gaming setups can explore RETROCADE’s bartop arcade collection.
No release date has been announced
Haunted Chocolatier still has no release date. Like Stardew Valley, the game is a solo development project, and Barone has not yet allowed anyone else to play it.
Barone said nobody will see or play the game until he is ready to present it. He compared the process with leaving a turkey in the oven until it is properly finished rather than serving it halfway through cooking.
That leaves Australian players with a clearer understanding of the game’s direction, but no launch window to plan around. For more industry updates, visit RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage, or browse the arcade machine range for home gaming ideas.
Leave a Reply