Eric Barone, better known under his developer name ConcernedApe, celebrated reaching one million followers on Twitter/X by sharing screenshots from his upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier.
The screenshots include what appears to be the player character’s impressively decorated home, the protagonist fighting a scrub monster with a slingshot, a large mermaid fountain being admired by the player, and a well-stocked library.
ConcernedApe is best known for single-handedly creating the hit farming simulator Stardew Valley, which was released in 2016. Although the primary focus of Stardew Valley is to grow crops, raise animals, and befriend villagers, perhaps even marrying one along the way, there is also a combat system. With a variety of weapons, the farmer-turned-action-hero can brave the mines, defeat monsters, obtain minerals and even earn a few geodes to crack! As Haunted Chocolatier is described as an RPG/simulator, it is likely players can expect the combat system to share a thing or two with Stardew Valley
Haunted Chocolatier was first announced in 2021, following the massive 1.5 free update of Stardew Valley, which added multiple new characters, quests, items, outfits, and an entire new region called Ginger Island. After releasing the update, ConcernedApe revealed the new project and stated such large updates to Stardew Valley would be put on hold for an indefinite amount of time while he worked on Haunted Chocolatier. Despite this, he recently announced a 1.6 update coming to Stardew. Although it has no known release date, he’s shared a sneak peek at the new features, such as a new major festival, two new smaller festivals, more dialogue, winter outfits for the villagers and the ominous declaration of “new secrets.”
Besides the player selling and creating chocolate, very little of Haunted Chocolatier is actually known, including its release date. In the comments of ConcernedApe’s post, Opera GX of all accounts is brave enough to say what all fans are thinking: “I wish you would say “Thanks for 1 million followers here’s Haunted Chocolatier” and then just drop the game.”
Haunted Chocolatier is set to release on PC.