Haunted Chocolatier, the next project from Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, is being designed to appeal to players who enjoy the more combat-focused aspects of his previous hit, according to Barone himself. He described the upcoming game as being "for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines."
In a recent interview with GQ, Barone elaborated on the game's design, stating that Haunted Chocolatier will be "more of an action RPG," though he still considers it a "town game." The core gameplay loop will emphasize adventuring, acquiring equipment, and increasing character power, featuring monsters and boss fights.
Development of Haunted Chocolatier has been ongoing for over five years, with its announcement in October 2021. While a release date remains unconfirmed, Barone has been providing updates on the game's progress via his website. He has acknowledged the extended development time, apologizing for the wait but assuring fans that significant progress is being made. Barone stated he is committed to not compromising the game's quality by rushing its release.
Barone has reportedly returned to isolation to concentrate on completing Haunted Chocolatier, aiming to recapture the creative feeling he experienced while developing Stardew Valley. He expressed a desire to meet the expectations of his large fanbase. The new game is anticipated to be larger and potentially more unsettling in tone than Stardew Valley.
Looking ahead, Barone expressed hope in 2025 that Haunted Chocolatier might release within the next five years, suggesting a potential launch window before 2030, assuming development proceeds smoothly.