ConcernedApe Selects Stardew Valley Collaborations Based on Passion

Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has disclosed that he does not seek financial compensation when his beloved farming simulation game collaborates with other franchises. He explains that his participation is solely driven by being a fan of the other titles or a genuine belief that his players will enjoy the experience.

The announcement arrives as the community anticipates a crossover event between Stardew Valley and Infinity Nikki, scheduled to begin on September 1. While specific details of the collaboration remain unclear, player reactions have been surprisingly divided. Some have expressed frustration with the timing, viewing it as a convenient diversion from the recent controversy surrounding leakers.

"Over the years, Stardew Valley has partnered with a few other games," Barone stated in a post on X/Twitter. "I want to clarify that I do not receive any payment for these collaborations. My involvement has always been based on either being a fan of the other game or sincerely believing our players would appreciate it."

In a notable response, the official X/Twitter account for Infinity Nikki replied directly to Barone.

"We sincerely appreciate you sharing your perspective. Causing any unintended stress was never our intention. This collaboration was our gesture of gratitude—a free love letter to Stardew Valley from our development team and for the community," the message read.

"Developing this content felt like we were all cultivating a small farm together. The meticulous care and detail you pour into your world is precisely what inspires us to create cozy games. We continue to learn from your work every day."

Objectively, the negative reaction appears to be a matter of unfortunate timing. The Infinity Nikki community has been dissatisfied since version 1.5 introduced contentious changes, including revisions to the game's storyline and increased resource requirements for completing outfit collections.

Furthermore, such collaborations are not a frequent occurrence for Barone. Stardew Valley has only ever partnered with a select few games, such as Balatro and Terraria.

Barone previously stated in May that he "didn't want to be known solely as the Stardew Valley developer," which is a key reason he is currently focused on his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. However, fans should not expect a release date in the near future. Barone recently acknowledged that there is "still a substantial amount of work to complete," especially as he feels the new game "must surpass" Stardew Valley.