"I don't know what I was thinking": Stardew Valley creator went through hell 6 months before launch, and the game didn't come together until "the last moment"

1. Games
2. Simulation Games
3. Stardew Valley

"I don't know what I was thinking": Stardew Valley creator went through hell 6 months before launch, and the game didn't come together until "the last moment" News By Scott McCrae published 1 March 2026

"I think I was just at the point where I knew it was so close. I needed to finish the game"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: ConcernedApe)

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter GamesRadar+ Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful

Want to add more newsletters?

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

Signup +

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Signup +

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

Signup +

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Signup +

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

Signup +

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

Signup +

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!

Signup + An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Stardew Valley, creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has shown off a bunch of early versions, saying the game never really came together until the last minute.

Just over 10 years ago, Stardew Valley launched, and the Harvest Moon-like indie hit did pretty well all things considered, given that it's now sold over 50 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games ever made (that's better than any single Call of Duty or Pokemon release has ever done, for context). And its 10-year reign of cozy terror is only seeming to grow as it's still getting substantial updates this much time later, with 1.7 set to add two new marriage candidates with Clint and Sandy – although with the reaction to Clint being one of those, it may as well be one candidate.

To celebrate the anniversary, Barone released a big video in which he did his own retrospective of the game's development and ensuing 10-year run. This included the original Sprout Valley prototype from 2012, which Barone tore into, with such polite criticism like "the pixel art basically looks like crap.

You may like

• Stardew Valley creator reveals 14-year-old footage of Sprout Valley, a technically "functioning game"
• Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe reveals "pretty cool" in-game farm map that was ultimately cut
• Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone still feels "like an amateur" even with nearly 50 million copies sold

Stardew Valley 10-year Anniversary Video (Retrospective & New Spouse Reveal) - YouTube Watch On

However, you'd be surprised by just how close Barone felt he was cutting things. The 2015 prototype was also shown from around 6 months ahead of the game's actual launch in 2016. "There are a ton of things that are just like, not finished yet" Barone explains, adding "This shows just how much Stardew Valley just kinda came together at the last moment."

He starts the retrospective by noting that the farmhouse has a strange layout that shows a "nose"-like block of floor sticking out further than everywhere else where the door should be, saying "I don't know what I was thinking there."

He continues "I did a ton of work in the last like six months. I think I was just at the point where I knew it was so close. I needed to finish the game." He adds, "and that's what gave me the drive and the motivation to make all these little changes in the last 6 months to prepare the game for release." Barone specifically cites the "goofy look" of the farmer that was eventually changed, so you were 6 months away from your characters looking way worse.

Stardew Valley at 10: How a decade in the countryside has helped long-distance relationships thrive

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES PC Gaming Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch PS5 PS4 Platforms Xbox Nintendo PlayStation Scott McCraeSocial Links NavigationContributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

View More

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Stardew Valley creator reveals 14-year-old footage of Sprout Valley, a technically "functioning game"    Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe reveals "pretty cool" in-game farm map that was ultimately cut    Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone still feels "like an amateur" even with nearly 50 million copies sold    How well do you know Stardew Valley?    Stardew Valley at 10: How a decade in the countryside has helped long-distance relationships thrive    "I am not going to abandon Haunted Chocolatier," says Stardew Valley's Eric Barone    Latest in Simulation Games Stardew Valley creator "wanted the mines to be like Terraria," but it was way "too ambitious" in the end    It's only taken Stardew Valley fans 15 hours to dub new marriage candidate Clint Pelican Town's least eligible bachelor    Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe reveals "pretty cool" in-game farm map that was ultimately cut    Stardew Valley creator reveals 14-year-old footage of Sprout Valley, a technically "functioning game"    Stardew Valley at 10: How a decade in the countryside has helped long-distance relationships thrive    Steam users pile into the demo of a job sim about the very thing wreaking havoc on PC gaming: data centers    Latest in News Stardew Valley creator went through it 6 months before launch, and the game didn't come together until "the last moment"    Zack Snyder explains why Ben Affleck is the best big-screen Batman we ever had: “Of anybody who’s played Batman, Ben is the best Bruce Wayne.”    Princess Zelda actor "started practicing" Twilight Princess' Hylian language "over coffee" and is now fluent    Original Scream 7 directors reveal plans they had to “f*** you up” with the sequel they never got to make    Wonder Man showrunner reveals Hawkeye went through massive changes weeks before filming    Matrix 5 gets a brand new update from writer and director Drew Goddard    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Lego Pikachu is in pole-position for one of the biggest releases this year, but a fragile build can be pain in the butt
2. 2Resident Evil Requiem review: "A soaring piece of survival horror theater"
3. 3Demon Tides review: "Super Mario Odyssey and Wind Waker collide in this expressive 3D platformer"
4. 4This Bloodborne-style board game is one of the best boss battlers I've ever played, hands-down
5. 5Styx: Blades of Greed review: "What if Metal Gear Solid 5 went goblin mode? This fantasy open-world stealther delights"

1. 1Scream 7 review: "Never as sharp as the series' best, but still has a few neat tricks up its billowing sleeve"
2. 2Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
3. 328 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
4. 4Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
5. 5Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"

1. 1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
2. 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
3. 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
5. 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”