Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, creator of beloved farming simulator musical easter egg playing over the credits when they defeated the game on its highest possible difficulty.
Stardew Valley is very significant proof of how big indie games can get. The game was created by one man in the vein of similar games like version 1.5 keep players coming back to the charming little village of Pelican Town again and again.
But Eric Barone's affection for his creation doesn't just manifest in his work on the game itself. Earlier today he ed a video to YouTube titled "Playing Moonlight Jellies on my Grandpa's Guitar". The video is only a minute and a half long, but it delivers what it promises; Eric Barone, with an acoustic guitar that presumably belonged to his grandfather, playing the song "Dance of the Moonlight Jellies." It's a charming little video without any frills or embellishments; just a man, a guitar, and a lovely, calming piece of music. Barone doesn't say a word about the game, he just sits down, plays his song, and gives the viewer a smile.
Barone's video is a very tranquil experience in a not so tranquil time, and given that fact it's not surprising how many fans have offered him praise and thanks in the comments section. Guitar is hardly what Barone is known for among fans, so the quiet skill with which he played this piece is certainly a pleasant surprise. Barone isn't the first person in recent memory to surprise his fans with a music video; infamous streamer Dr. Disrespect released one last month starring himself. These videos are a rather lovely way for these celebrities to engage with their fans on a much more intimate level.
Stardew Valley owes much of its success to the peaceful escape it offers from the stress and madness of regular life. By whiling away the hours in Barone's pleasant farmscape, players can build up an industry they can really be proud of. And by modding the game, they can create something even more remarkable than that. It may have been four years since the original release of Stardew Valley, but Barone's lovely little video gives fans strong proof as to why it remains such a treasure.
Stardew Valley is available now on all platforms.
Source: ConcernedApe
