Just to let everyone know about the StarDew Valley situation:
Dev Update #26
April 4, 2015
Hi everyone,
Just want to give you a quick update on Stardew Valley. Im still working hard on the game, nearly every day. I know theres been some discussion as to a release date, so Id like to touch on that.
As soon as I know when the game is to be released, Ill announce it. I dont have any intention of being deceptive or secretive. The reason I havent given a release date yet is that its extremely difficult to make an accurate prediction when it comes to finishing something like this. What I really dont want is to throw a date out there and then have to disappoint people by pushing it back. I also dont want to build hype prematurely that already happened to some degree when Stardew Valley was Greenlit, and the resulting attention (and disappointment that the game wasnt already available) was a bit overwhelming for me. Id like to earn my reputation by releasing a great game, rather than creating buzz over screenshots and speculation well before the game is available. Theres definitely a proper time to start promoting a release, but I dont feel like that moment has arrived yet.
Ive been working on Stardew for years and I want it to be released as much as anyone. However, Im not willing to do that until the game is not only complete, but also in a state Im happy with. It simply could not be released in its current form Its not a finished game yet. Its tantalizingly close to being a finished game, but its also a huge project and Im just one guy. I truly believe it will be released this year, but theres still months of work to be done.
I know Ive said this before, but Im really lucky to have such positive, supportive people interested in the development of Stardew Valley. I really do appreciate it, and the last thing I want is to let anyone down. The best I can do is to keep working hard until the game is finished and in your hands. And thats what Ill continue to do, no matter what.
Heres what Ive been working on lately:
Finishing the mines. Ive shifted some things away from being randomly-generated, instead
designing them by hand. My aim is to ensure that gameplay is focused and that the pacing is
enjoyable. I want players to really feel like they are making progress as they advance deeper into
underground, and earning proper rewards for their troubles. Previous versions of the mines never felt
quite right to me, but Im very happy with it now.
Thanks for reading!
-Ape