{"id":2012473,"date":"2026-06-26T12:32:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2012473"},"modified":"2026-06-26T12:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:32:08","slug":"i-torture-myself-over-every-last-detail-stardew-valley-creator-concernedape-says-hes-still-here-still-grinding-on-haunted-chocolatier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2012473","title":{"rendered":"‘I Torture Myself Over Every Last Detail’ \u2014 Stardew Valley Creator ConcernedApe Says He’s ‘Still Here, Still Grinding’ on Haunted Chocolatier"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Stardew Valley<\/a> creator ConcernedApe has reassured fans that he\u2019s still working on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier<\/a>, and explained why it\u2019s taking so long.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

ConcernedApe, real name Eric Barone, announced Haunted Chocolatier back in 2021, but amid ongoing work on his phenomenally successful Stardew Valley, progress on the follow-up has been slow going.<\/p>\n

In a new blog post<\/a> titled \u201cStill here, still grinding\u2026,\u201d ConcernedApe insisted he was still working on the game, which he sounds somewhat embarrassed to have to keep on saying. \u201cFeels kinda dumb posting this same thing over and over, but that\u2019s the reality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s taking a long time,\u201d he continued, before explaining the hold up. ConcernedApe is fussing over every last detail, it seems, in a bid to make Haunted Chocolatier as close to perfect as humanly possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am being very thoughtful about every aspect of the game,\u201d he said. \u201cThe things in the game which the player will be interacting with or using very often need to be \u2018perfect.\u2019 They need to be seamless, clear, intuitive, satisfying, aesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n

He used the example of iterating on the recipe book for making chocolates, which sounds like a significant challenge. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, it\u2019s not a simple task, as I torture myself over every last detail,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is a UI you will be using fairly often, so it has to be perfect. You need to be able to accomplish your goal with the minimal number of clicks. There needs to be just the right amount of data presented to the player: not so much as to be overwhelming, but not so little as to be trivial or mundane. And the way that this data is laid out on the page is crucial\u2026 If the data is all clustered together, it will be disgusting to look at. The data needs to be grouped into compelling, intuitive and easy to read\/understand groupings. It needs to look appealing and intriguing. And this is just the bare minimum, that players will likely take for granted. If all of that is accomplished then the player is now comfortable while perusing the recipe book. But I want more than just comfort. I want to delight the player. All of this typically requires me to iterate on something several times before I\u2019m satisfied with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This situation with the recipe book for making chocolates is just one aspect of Haunted Chocolatier, of course. ConcernedApe is applying this same pursuit of perfection to the entire game.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s a big game,\u201d he added. \u201cSo there are many things for me to fuss over. But, this is what it will take to make a game I\u2019m satisfied with.\u201d<\/p>\n

ConcernedApe also explained why he doesn\u2019t want to show Haunted Chocolatier off too much at this stage of development. \u201cPartly, it feels like I\u2019m serving a half-baked bread. I would rather serve a fully baked bread,\u201d he said. \u201cAlso, I know that many parts of the game will likely evolve and change before release, so if I reveal them early, I risk disappointing players if the final product does not match their expectation. Fortunately, I\u2019m in a position where I don\u2019t need to market the game, so I can take my preferred approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs always, I really appreciate your patience.\u201d<\/p>\n