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There aren't a lot of games I buy on every device I own, but Stardew Valley is among them. I have the farm life sim on PC, multiple Nintendo Switches, and mobile. It's only $15 ($5 on mobile) and has brought me hundreds and hundreds of hours of joy.
Stardew Valley launched in 2016 and has had a chokehold on my life for nearly a decade, as is common among cozy gamers. Part of what keeps us constantly hooked are the massive updates that creator Eric Barone (better known as ConcernedApe) brings to the game. The last update, in late 2020, gave tons of late-game content, an entire new area of the world to explore, new crafting recipes, and much more.
A new update comes as a bit of a surprise, because Barone has also been working on his new game, Haunted Chocolatier, since October 2021. Fans expected that game before new Stardew content, but he announced Stardew's new update in July 2023, and now there are just a few weeks left to before we get to see it in action.
When and Where the Update Be Available?
Barone announced on X that Stardew Valley's 1.6 update will be released on March 19.
That initial release date is just for PC players, so console and mobile players will have to wait. Mobile players will likely have a lot longer to wait if the last big update is anything to go off of—Stardew's 1.5 update was released on PC in December 2020, then on console in February 2021 but not on mobile until January 2023.
If you're a newbie looking to decide which platform you want Stardew on, I recommend purchasing on Steam for your PC instead of on a console, given the amazing (and free!) mods you can add to your game. Mods will likely be down after the initial update, but the fan base has an active modding community that is preparing for the 1.6 release. And you can still enjoy Stardew Valley away from your computer if you have a Steam Deck.
What Features Will the Update Include?
After Barone first announced the update with a few teasers about what it would include, he tweeted the following list of update features that were in development:
A major new festivalTwo new mini festivalsNew late-game content, which expands on each of the skill areas.New items and crafting recipesJoja alternatives to some of the end-game quests.100-plus new lines of dialogWinter outfits for the villagersNew type of reward for completing billboard requests(PC) Support for eight-player multiplayerMany small additions and adjustmentsNew farm typeNew secrets and more
I'm excited to play the new farm type, and Barone has recommended that players start a new file when the update launches in order to see all the new content. You can, of course, keep playing an existing file and will see new content reflected there, too.
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I'm insanely excited about the tweet Barone made in December revealing one of the new items: bigger storage chests! (If you know, you know, and if you don't know, you will soon after you start playing and need to store everything.)
How Should You Prepare for the Update?
First and foremost: Buy the game if you don't own it already. The game's power requirements are low compared to other popular games, so it should be easy to play on just about any existing PC.
For existing users, if you use mods, you'll need to prepare for the likelihood of updating all of your mods after the update goes live. There's no way to know when mod makers will have time (or if they will at all) to update a mod you like, so you'll have to keep an eye on that yourself. SMAPI and Content Patcher are minimum requirements for many mods, so start with updating those.
If you have an existing file you want to hit perfection on or the completion-related Steam goals, like crafting any item, you might want to complete the existing goals before any new additions arrive. Crafting and cooking recipes are sometimes tricky to unlock or find since they often depend on other achievements in the game, and there's no telling where the new recipes will be.
What Do You Need to Play Stardew Valley?
To play the new update on March 19, all you really need is a working PC. But for the best experience while you play, here's what we recommend having available.
A Game Controller
Photograph: Scuf
Scuf Reflex Controller$200 at Scuf
You can play Stardew with just a keyboard, but a game controller is much more intuitive and comfortable to use. I find I often use both, since the keyboard is where I activate my mod shortcuts, but a great gaming controller is preferable by a long shot whenever I'm doing any normal tasks around the farm, heading to the mines, and especially when I'm fishing. I refuse to fish via keyboard.
A Steam Deck
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Valve Steam Deck$399 at Steam
If you're bummed about needing to wait to play on your Nintendo Switch, you could get a similar experience with the help of a Steam Deck. Our favorite at WIRED for PC gaming is the Valve Steam Deck, and you can even upgrade to the OLED Valve. Extra bonus with the Steam Deck is that your mods can work on it, too. Here's how to do it.
A Great Headset for Co-Op
Photograph: Logitech
Logitech Logitech G Pro X$130 at Amazon
Did you see that mention of eight-player co-op? Because I sure did. While eight voices trying to manage the same farm sounds a little crazy, I have loved playing Stardew Valley in co-op mode. I once played one file for over a year with a friend to hit the in-game perfection levels together. (Hot tip: don't miss the recipes on the TV!) Having a good gaming headset makes everything easier on co-op, since it eliminates echoes and crappy audio.
