Stardew Valley is a 2016 video game that lets players experience farm life. The game was created by Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone. Players take the role of a character who inherits a farm from their late grandfather. The game allows players to choose how to manage the farm by clearing land, growing crops that change with the seasons, and raising animals. Players can learn skills such as farming, foraging, fishing, mining, and combat. The game includes social features, such as building relationships with townspeople, getting married, and having a child. A later update added multiplayer, allowing players to play online with others.
Barone developed Stardew Valley alone over five years as an independent game creator. He started the project to improve his programming and game design skills. He was inspired by the Harvest Moon series (now called Story of Seasons) and added features to fix some of its issues. A British game studio named Chucklefish offered to publish the game halfway through its development, helping Barone focus on finishing it. The game was first released for Windows in February 2016 and later made available on other platforms.
Stardew Valley received mostly positive reviews from critics, including Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of Harvest Moon. The game is often called one of the best video games ever made and helped farming simulation games become popular again. It became one of the best-selling video games, selling 50 million copies by February 2026. The game was listed on several year-end lists by publications and won awards, such as the Breakthrough Award at the Golden Joystick Awards and was nominated for Best Game at the British Academy Games Awards.
Gameplay
Stardew Valley is a video game that lets players experience life on a farm. The game is viewed from above, like looking down at a map. Players begin by leaving a job at a company to take care of a farm near a town called Pelican Town, located in an area named Stardew Valley. The farm was left to the player by their late grandfather and needs to be fixed up. Players help the town recover by working on the farm and completing tasks.
Players can choose from different farm styles, each with its own special features and advantages. These styles help players improve specific skills more quickly. On the farm, players must cut trees, break rocks, and use a scythe to remove weeds so they can plant crops. The farming system requires planting seeds that grow during certain seasons. These seeds need daily watering and must be harvested before the next season starts. Players can build barns and coops to raise animals, which provide items like eggs and milk. As the game moves through four seasons, each lasting 28 days, players can complete tasks called bundles. These tasks involve collecting specific items and delivering them to the Community Center to unlock new areas and activities, such as a new island.
Players can improve skills in farming, foraging, fishing, mining, and combat. Talking to townspeople and giving them gifts helps build friendships. Players can marry one of 12 characters, regardless of their own gender, and the spouse can help with farm work like cooking, feeding animals, or watering plants. After marriage, the couple may have a child. Time in the game is divided into day-long periods. Each day starts with a full energy bar that decreases as tasks are done and can be refilled by eating food. A cave nearby contains minerals that can be mined and processed using a furnace. The cave also has monsters, which adds a fighting part to mining. Players must switch between a pickaxe and a sword as they explore deeper levels to find valuable items. A multiplayer mode was added later, allowing players to play online with others.
Development
Stardew Valley was created by American independent game designer Eric Barone, who is professionally known as ConcernedApe. Barone graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2011 with a degree in computer science but could not find a job in the game industry. Instead, he worked as an usher at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. To improve his computer skills and job prospects, he decided to create a game that would also allow him to use his artistic talents. Barone grew up in the Pacific Northwest and included many elements of that region in the game’s design and artwork.
Stardew Valley was originally made as a modern version of the Harvest Moon series, which Barone felt had become less enjoyable after the game Harvest Moon: Back to Nature. He could not find a game that combined all the best parts of the Harvest Moon series, so he created Stardew Valley to fix the problems he noticed. The game was first called Sprout Valley and took Barone five years to complete. He was the only person who worked on the game, including all of its pixel art, music, and sound effects. Barone used software called Reason Studios to create music and sound effects and Paint.NET for the pixel art. He chose not to use Steam’s Early Access program because he believed it was not a good fit for Stardew Valley. The game was first programmed in C# using the Microsoft XNA framework and later changed to MonoGame in 2021. This change helped the game stay compatible with future technology and allowed players to use more than 4 GB of computer memory for mods.
Barone wanted players to feel like they were living in a small farming community. He aimed to make the game fun while also sharing messages about real life. Unlike most Harvest Moon games, which ended after two years of gameplay, Stardew Valley has no set end, letting players take their time to explore and enjoy the game without feeling rushed. He designed the game to encourage a relaxed style of play, allowing players to focus on activities, storylines, and goals without stress. While Barone hoped players would learn on their own, he noticed some used spreadsheets and guides to maximize farm profits. He considered this approach natural but not in line with the game’s spirit. To address this, he designed the cooking system to reward players with bonuses that help with farming, mining, and fishing instead of offering direct financial gains. Barone also chose not to include killing animals for meat, encouraging players to care for and name each animal.
Barone first planned to release Stardew Valley on Xbox Live Indie Games but found the project grew too large. He announced the game in September 2012 using Steam Greenlight to test interest. After strong support from the community, he began full-time development and shared updates with players on Reddit and Twitter. In 2013, Finn Brice, director of Chucklefish, offered to help publish the game. Chucklefish handled tasks like website hosting and creating a wiki. In April 2015, Barone said he would release the game only when it was fully complete and refused pre-sales. Stardew Valley was released for Windows on Steam and GOG.com on February 26, 2016.
After the game’s release, Barone continued improving it by fixing problems, adding new features, and planning more content. He also worked on versions for other platforms. In May 2016, Chucklefish helped with translations for other languages, ports for Linux, macOS, and consoles, and online multiplayer features. Barone planned public beta testing for multiplayer on Windows in late 2017 but needed more time to improve the network code. The multiplayer beta for Windows was released in April 2018 and officially launched for all PC platforms on August 1, 2018. The multiplayer update for Nintendo Switch was released in December 2018. That same month, Barone said he wanted to form a team to help develop the game further. He regained publishing rights for all platforms except Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch, which remained with Chucklefish. By 2019, Barone self-published all versions of the game except for mobile. He regained control of the official wiki in February 2021, the iOS version in December 2021, and the Android version in March 2022, ending Chucklefish’s involvement. In March 2024, Barone released a major update that expanded the game, with mobile and console versions receiving the update in November 2024.
Stardew Valley was released on multiple platforms after its initial launch. Linux and macOS versions were released on July 29, 2016. Console versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were announced at E3 2016 in June. At the same event, Barone said a Wii U version would also be released, but it was later canceled in favor of a Nintendo Switch version. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released on December 14, 2016. The Switch version, developed by Sickhead Games, was released on October 5, 2017. A PlayStation Vita version came out on May 22, 2018. Retail versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were published by 505 Games. A collector’s edition included a physical map, a soundtrack download code, and a guidebook. Mobile versions for iOS and Android were developed with help from The Secret Police. The iOS version was released on October 24, 2018, and the Android version on March 14, 2019. Both versions allow players on Linux, macOS, and Windows to transfer their progress to their devices. In December 2019, Stardew Valley was added to Tesla Arcade, a Linux-based gaming service in Tesla electric cars. In 2020, Barone worked with Fangamer to release physical versions of the game, including standard and collector’s editions, and versions for Nintendo Switch and PC. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Stardew Valley was released on December 25, 2025.
Mods
Stardew Valley has a large group of players who create new content for the game. As of 2026, more than 28,000 mods have been made. One popular mod is Stardew Valley Expanded, which adds new characters, places, and has been downloaded over 3 million times. The creator of this mod, Devin Hedegaard, later became part of the Stardew Valley development team. Other mods allow players to change the game’s appearance, such as adding new animal designs. Most mods can only be used on the PC version of the game. Recent updates to the game added tools to help mod developers.
In March 2025, a fan-made mod inspired by Baldur's Gate 3 was released. It was called Baldur's Village. Swen Vincke, the founder of Larian Studios, praised the mod. That same month, lawyers from Wizards of the Coast removed the mod using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Vincke shared his support for fan-made mods on social media and asked for better ways to handle them. On April 1, 2025, Wizards of the Coast said the DMCA action was a mistake and apologized for the situation.
Reception
Stardew Valley received "mostly positive" reviews, according to Metacritic, a website that collects reviews. Another review site, OpenCritic, said the game was strongly approved by 99% of critics. Many publications have called it one of the greatest video games ever made. Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of Harvest Moon, said he was "very happy" with Stardew Valley because it helped keep the Harvest Moon series alive. He noted that Stardew Valley captured the freedom he wanted for the series while improving animation and graphics.
Critics widely praised the farming simulation and gameplay. Jonathan Leack of GameRevolution said the game combines progression systems, activities, and rewards in a way that makes each day feel unique and connected. Javy Gwaltney of Game Informer said the farming mechanics create a relaxing and rewarding experience. Daniella Lucas of PC Gamer highlighted crafting and farm customization as fun features that let players design and improve their farms. Kallie Plagge of IGN praised the mix of role-playing and farming, calling it engaging without being stressful. Carli Velocci of Polygon said Stardew Valley gives players a strong sense of achievement, even for small tasks. However, Jan Wöbbeking of 4Players said early farming tasks felt repetitive. He noted that as the game progresses, farming becomes less monotonous. Gwaltney criticized the lack of fast travel and said the map system was weak, making movement between locations time-consuming.
The game’s story and characters were generally well received. Leack praised the writing and said villagers have distinct personalities. Gwaltney noted that townspeople react differently to players. Lucas said the townspeople feel realistic and have unique traits. Plagge said while the townspeople have detailed lives, the mechanics for building relationships are simple. Velocci said small interactions with characters reveal their personalities and challenges. Elena Schulz of GameStar said some story elements, like a haunted community center, add interest, but the overall story is not deep. Steven Wright of Paste described the game as anti-capitalist because it portrays a fictional company negatively. Many outlets praised the game’s LGBT options, including the ability to marry one of 12 villagers regardless of gender. Aimee Hart of Gayming Magazine noted the lack of racial diversity.
Critics praised the game’s visual style. Leack said the sprite-based art is pleasing and fits the game’s theme, with varied environments across four seasons. Schulz called the colorful pixel art charming. Wöbbeking said the game’s animations and lighting effects create a magical atmosphere.
The soundtrack was also praised. Leack said the music is imaginative and well-composed. Gwaltney called it light and enjoyable. Plagge said the music in the mine reduces stress during combat and enhances the underground setting. Schulz said the soundtrack and retro visuals create a picturesque atmosphere. Wöbbeking said the music matches the game’s weather and seasons with relaxing melodies.
Combat and dungeon exploration were mostly praised, though some critics found combat simple. Leack said combat is fun and adds variety. Gwaltney said the mine dungeon is simple but offers a change of pace. Plagge said combat is straightforward but enjoyable because of the rewards from finding items. Schulz said combat is simple but rewarding through defeating enemies and upgrading equipment.
Some critics criticized the lack of a clear tutorial and controls. Leack said the tutorial is too basic. Velocci said the tutorial is minimal and controls are imprecise, making tasks frustrating. Schulz said the game lacks guidance. Wöbbeking said the simple controls help keep the game relaxed. Lucas noted technical issues at launch, like cursor glitches and confusing menus.
Eight years after its release, Polygon said Stardew Valley remains popular and relevant. IGN raised its original score in 2018, noting updates added new items, events, and improved accessibility. A 2021 update earned the game a perfect score, with updates transforming it into a modern classic.
Stardew Valley sold about 425,000 copies on Steam and GOG.com in its first two weeks and over a million within two months. It was among the top 24 revenue-generating games on Steam in 2016. Many players who downloaded it illegally later bought it or offered to help others afford it.
By 2017, the game had sold over 3.5 million copies. It became the most downloaded game on Nintendo Switch in 2017. After launching on mobile in 2018, it earned over $1 million in revenue on the Apple App Store within three weeks. By February 2026, it had sold over 50 million copies, with 26 million on PC and 7.9 million on Nintendo Switch.
Stardew Valley received three nominations at the 2016 Golden Joystick Awards, winning the Breakthrough Award. It was nominated for Best Game at the 13th British Academy Games Awards, Best Debut at the Game Developers Choice Awards, and Best Independent Game at The Game Awards. It was also nominated for Most Promising New Intellectual Property at SXSW Gaming Awards and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival. At The Steam Awards, it received five nominations between 2016 and 2024.
Legacy
Stardew Valley made farming and cozy games more popular and helped create the modern farming simulator genre. Jess Reyes of Inverse said the game played a major role in bringing these types of games to more people. Noelle Warner of Destructoid said Stardew Valley helped farming simulators become popular again, calling it a "cultural phenomenon" and one of the most successful indie games. Tomas Franzese of Digital Trends noted that while Harvest Moon started the farming sim genre, Stardew Valley set the modern standard with its gameplay and world. He also said the game inspired many indie games and encouraged larger companies to make similar games. Wes Fenlon and Kara Phillips of PC Gamer described Stardew Valley as the foundation of modern farming simulators, explaining that new games in the genre are often compared to it. They added that its success led to many "Stardew-esque" games, with developers using its ideas.
Ali Shutler of NME said Stardew Valley was ranked first among the best video games for reducing stress. Gamasutra named Barone one of the top ten developers in 2016, saying he "revitalized a genre" that was mostly controlled by the Story of Seasons series. In 2017, Matt Perez reported that Forbes named Barone one of their "30 Under 30" people to watch in video games, recognizing his work on Stardew Valley.
The music from Stardew Valley was released through soundtracks, collaborations, and concerts. The original soundtrack was released on September 19, 2016, followed by a piano sheet music book and album on October 5, 2018. An orchestral album, Symphonic Tale: The Place I Truly Belong (Music from Stardew Valley), was released on August 15, 2020, and directed by Kentaro Sato with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, Barone worked with Norihiko Hibino on the album Prescription for Sleep, which included piano and saxophone arrangements of ten tracks and a new song called "Beauty in the Seasons." The first concert tour, Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons, was announced on October 10, 2023. A second tour, Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons, was announced on November 20, 2024. An instrumental album, Stardew Valley (Festival of Seasons), was released on August 29, 2025, featuring 16 songs from the game.
Stardew Valley has expanded into books and other media. The Stardew Valley Guidebook, written by Barone and Ryan Novak and illustrated by Kari Fry, was released in 2016 and updated to match the game’s changes. A board game version, Stardew Valley: The Board Game, came out in February 2021. The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook, which includes over 50 recipes from the game, was released on May 14, 2024. In 2017, Jason Schreier wrote about Stardew Valley’s development in his book Blood, Sweat, and Pixels. At BrickCon 2024, a Lego model of Stardew Valley’s Pelican Town won the "People's Choice" award. In 2024, American singer Soccer Mommy released a song called "Abigail," inspired by the game’s character.
Several collaborations with other games were released. In 2022, Stardew Valley added the Meowmere sword from Terraria. In 2024, the Friends of Jimbo 2 update for Balatro included Stardew Valley characters. In 2025, Infinity Nikki released a collaboration with Stardew Valley, adding music and rhythm game content. In 2025, Among Us introduced Stardew Valley-themed cosmetics in a collaboration that lasted until February 2026.