Summary

  • Stardew Valley's 1.6 update releases on PC on March 19, with console and mobile to follow.
  • The 1.6 update focuses on easier modding and miscellaneous content additions.
  • Compatibility won't be an issue, but starting a new save is recommended for the best experience.

One of the great joys of solo developer known as ConcernedApe.

A tweet from ConcernedApe confirms a PC release date for the Stardew Valley 1.6 update, which will arrive on March 19. This update was originally announced in March 2023, over two years after the release of the massive 1.5 version.

According to ConcernedApe, the console and mobile versions of the 1.6 update "will follow as soon as possible." In the case of 1.5, consoles only had to wait a couple of months, while it took over a year for the patch to hit the mobile version of Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley 1.6 Brings New Content On March 19

Stardew Valley 1.6 Update banner image with the game's logo in front of a blue and turquoise sky.

Stardew Valley 1.6 isn't intended to be a content addition on the level of 1.5, although an update from ConcernedApe in January established that it has "ended up being a little larger in scope than originally planned." A big focus of 1.6 is on making the game easier to mod, which could help keep it fresh for years after official updates cease. 1.6 seems to be more oriented around adding general miscellany, like items and dialogues, than any single chunk of content, but a new festival should definitely be a big part of its appeal on the whole.

ConcernedApe also directly addressed a question about save compatibility with Stardew Valley 1.6, clarifying that there won't be any compatibility issues but recommending a new save all the same. Since new content is scattered throughout the game, experiencing unlocks and discoveries in the intended sequence works best when starting the story from the beginning. This mostly just sounds like a good excuse to try out a new farming style and go after a different romance, but there's nothing wrong with sticking to the same playthrough if breaking off that investment proves too painful.

Stardew Valley deserves a true, expanded sequel, and not just a complete pivot like Concerned Ape's Haunted Chocolatier.
Related
Stardew Valley Deserves A True Sequel (Not Just Haunted Chocolatier)

Haunted Chocolatier is something of a spiritual successor to Stardew Valley, but the farming sim left plenty of opportunities for a true sequel.

The release of Stardew Valley 1.6 should also make it possible for ConcernedApe to resume work on Haunted Chocolatier, an game that leaves the farm behind for the world of chocolate-selling. Of course, a well-deserved break for the solo developer might be in order first. Regardless of what the future might hold for both games, March 19 is definitely going to be an exciting day for Stardew Valley fans, and seeing everything that the 1.6 update has to offer will most likely be more than worth the wait.

Source: ConcernedApe/Twitter (1, 2, 3)

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Your Rating

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Stardew Valley
RPG
Simulation
20
10.0/10
Released
February 26, 2016
ESRB
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Publisher(s)
ConcernedApe
Engine
Proprietary
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
Stardew Valley does not currently crossplay between different consoles and PC

Stardew Valley is a charming indie farming scene that took the world by storm. After inheriting a run-down farm from their grandfather, the player moves to Stardew Valley to start a new life away from the city. Grow crops, raise animals, befriend the villagers, and discover the secrets the valley has to offer.

Platform(s)
Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch