Delicious news ahead: Indie game developer ConcernedApe, aka Eric Barone, is coming back with a new simulation game — Haunted Chocolatier.
If you're a Stardew Valley lover, you may know how the farming game has built up quite the iconic reputation in the cozy gaming community.
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Stardew Valley isn't so much about winning as it is about the ~cottagecore vibes~ as you grow turnips and befriend villagers after leaving the corporate grind to take over your grandfather's farm. (Although the game does teach you a lesson or two about money management!)
In October, ConcernedApe announced on his Twitter account that he's been working on a new game: Haunted Chocolatier.
Pleased to announce my new game: "ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier" -- in development! #hauntedchocolatier https://t.co/tcY5lwFODn
As a town game, it's similar to Stardew Valley, except you'd be making chocolate instead of farming and fishing. And, of course, there will be spooky elements at play in the RPG, as the idea is that you're working as a chocolatier in a haunted castle.
ConcernedApe stated in a blog post that what really differentiates the game from Stardew Valley is that it will have "a greater focus on combat," with all of the code developed from scratch instead of being copied and pasted from Stardew. According to him, we can expect it to be more of an action RPG than Stardew.
So when will we get to live out our Willy Wonka dreams? Haunted Chocolatier is currently a work in progress with no set release date as of yet.
But ConcernedApe has released a trailer, screenshots, and playthroughs on his Twitter account and the game's official site.
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In a blog post, he wrote that it will be "a while before this game is done" — he started the project in 2020, working on it during evenings and weekends. As Inverse reports, Stardew Valley was first announced in September 2012, but wasn't completed until February 2016. With this framework in mind, it's safe to bet that it'll be quite some time before we get a full taste of the game.
Needless to say, fans are salivating for the chocolatey goodness that will unwrap in due time — here are Twitter's best reactions to the Haunted Chocolatier announcement so far!
1.
Mentally i am in Haunted Chocolatier's Bakery
2.
Haunted Stardew Chocolatier Valley
3.
I am HYPED for this game, I actually can't wait 🍫 @ConcernedApe #stardewvalley #hauntedchocolatier
4.
A chocolate shop?! In a haunted castle?!? HELLLOOOOOO DREAM LIFE 😍. @ConcernedApe
5.
I'M READY TO MAKE GHOST CHOCOLATE. Haunted Chocolatier already looks so fun. Thank you for the meal on this day @ConcernedApe
6.
Be sure to check your kid's Halloween candy. I just found the trailer for the Haunted Chocolatier in mine @ConcernedApe
7.
I have a type apparently... Oh- #stardewvalley #hauntedchocolatier
8.
UMMMM I WAS NOT READY FOR THIS SHHSHSHS 🎉 @ConcernedApe #hauntedchocolatier #StardewValley
9.
no thoughts only haunted chocolatier
10.
concerned ape just announced a new game called haunted chocolatier! it looks so cute omg 😍
11.
Haunted Chocolatier won’t be more than Stardew??? WE DON’T DESERVE YOU!!!!!!!!! 💜 https://t.co/IEhhm6S0nw
12.
first concerned ape creates the best game in the farming sim genre. now he's created the perfect game in the "you are a chocolatier and also have a narnia situation going on inside of your chocolate factory" genre
13.
Dear Concerned Ape, Haunted Chocolatier looks incredible, and I’m stoked that it seems to take place in the same world as your smash hit video game ‘Statdew Valley’, available for personal computer and console alike. Please let me kiss every girl in HC. Sincerely, Pren
14.
i’m like genuinely so emotional over haunted chocolatier??? whenever this comes out it’s going to be my favourite game 😭 spooky cute and chocolate?? i owe this concerned ape my life actually https://t.co/m1VtMIHSST
15.
AHHH TY @ConcernedApe ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE HOT I CAN'T WAIT TO MAKE THEM CHOCOLATE
16.
OMG! New @ConcernedApe game!!! Haunted Chocolatier! Love that it still looks like stardew, has rpg elements, seems like we can still give gifts/date people, also running a chocolate shop. Hopefully we will see more info soon! I'M EXCITED!
17.
Cannot handle the ghosts carrying chocolate 🍫 #StardewValley #concernedape #hauntedchocolatier
18.
I’m noticing that Haunted Chocolatier isn’t out yet and that makes me sad.
19.
yall are not ready for the person i will become once haunted chocolatier is released
20.
Concerned Ape is coming out with a new game called Haunted Chocolatier. That’s an auto-buy from me.
21.
Time to fall in love with an entire town of people again. Eric doing wonders for us in these tough times. <3 https://t.co/3nW1CTGIwb
22.
HAUNTED CHOCOLATIER LOOKS SO GOOD, THE EXCITEMENT, WTF!!
23.
Being goth Willy Wonka is on my bucket list. Glad to see I’ll get to live that out. https://t.co/wka2fEcHsO
24.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE READY TO GIVE A COMPANY 100s MORE HOURS OF MY LIFE. 👻🍫 https://t.co/UALOvHUuzP
25.
*deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH https://t.co/n9NIwZRqZ7
26.
*clutches this game to my chest while weeping gently* We're gonna be okay, kids https://t.co/TuSjDqU7pR
27.
@ConcernedApe
28.
going into my hibernation era wake me up when haunted chocolatier comes out