Stardew Valley, the indie-developed farming simulator, will release later this week for the Nintendo Switch, the last major platform to support the farmhand-life title since the game’s initial February launch.
Eric Barone (aka ConcernedApe), the game’s developer, confirmed the Oct. 5 date through a tweet linking to a detailed brief on Stardew Valley‘s website. Barone also noted the Switch version will sell for $14.99, matching the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam prices. Both PS4 and Xbox One have physical collector’s editions, but there is no word of a Switch counterpart.
Stardew Valley was in development for Wii U, but Barone moved the game to the Switch because of the then-current “gaming landscape” with the Wii U. The Switch’s full portability means Stardew Valley can be played anywhere, which Barone detailed.
“I’m very happy to see Stardew come to a Nintendo console… I grew up on Nintendo, after all,” Barone wrote. “This will not only be the first time Stardew Valley appears on a Nintendo platform, but also the first time Stardew will be on a portable system.”
To make up for the title’s delayed Nintendo debut, Switch owners will be the first console players to receive the game’s multiplayer features. Some of these features include up to three player-controlled farmhands joining the farm and possibly, player-to-player marriages. The additional farmhands can perform the nearly all the actions the main character can with the exception of important decisions regarding sleep, festivals and joining an in-game corporation. Multiplayer will be limited to online only, since there are no plans for local co-op.
Chucklefish, the studio that published Stardew Valley, is working with Barone on the multiplayer expansion. The multiplayer content will come to Linux, Mac and Windows in 2018 with consoles following behind. Dallas, Texas-based Sickhead Games was responsible for the PS4, Xbox One and now, Switch ports.