Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has officially confirmed that version 1.7 is in development, promising another substantial content update for the beloved farming simulator. While no release date has been announced, the update is expected to follow in the footsteps of the game's previous major updates, which introduced significant new features, areas, and gameplay elements.
Official Confirmation & Development Status
ConcernedApe first revealed the update during a Stardew Valley concert in August 2025, stating: "There will be a Stardew Valley 1.7 update. No release date, no estimate. But it's happening." He later elaborated on social media, offering the first concrete details about what players can expect.
What makes this particularly exciting is that Barone now has a dedicated team helping with Stardew Valley updates, allowing him to work on both this update and his upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier simultaneously. "I have a team who helps me with Stardew Valley updates now... We are working at a relaxed pace, we have a ton of ideas, and everything has been high quality," he shared.
Key Features Revealed So Far
1. New Farm Type
True to Stardew Valley's update tradition, version 1.7 will introduce a brand new farm type—the ninth official farm layout available to players.
"[It's] traditional to add a new farm type" with major updates, Barone explained in a December 2025 social media post. Each farm type caters to different playstyles (farming, fishing, combat, etc.), and fans are already speculating about what unique challenges and advantages this new farm might offer.
2. Enhanced Social Content
The update will focus heavily on "more character/social stuff" according to Barone. While specifics remain under wraps, this likely means:
· New interactions with existing NPCs
· Additional dialogue events
· Expanded relationship systems (possibly including post-marriage content)
· Potentially new characters to meet and befriend
This aligns with community feedback, as many players have long requested deeper social connections with the game's beloved cast of characters.
3. "Lots More"—The Mystery Content
Beyond the confirmed farm type and social enhancements, Barone has teased that there's "lots more" planned for the update, though he's deliberately keeping details secret for now.
Given the scale of previous major updates (1.5 added the Desert and Skull Cavern, while 1.6 introduced new crops, pets, and the Festival of Ice), players can expect 1.7 to bring similarly significant additions to the game world.
What We Can Speculate About
Based on Stardew Valley's update history and community wishes, here are some potential features we might see:
Category | Possible Additions |
Gameplay Mechanics | New skills or expanded mastery systems; improved inventory management; customizable UI options |
World Expansion | New locations to explore; additional festivals; expanded mining areas |
Farming & Production | New crops, animals, or crafting recipes; enhanced processing machines; new farm buildings |
Quality of Life | Rotatable furniture; improved pathfinding; better quest tracking; expanded storage options |
Technical Improvements | Performance optimizations; better multiplayer stability; cross-platform play possibilities |
Previous Major Updates As Context
To understand what might be in store with 1.7, let's look at what Stardew Valley's major updates have delivered in the past:
· 1.1 (2016): Four new farm types (Riverland, Forest, Hill-top, Wilderness)
· 1.4 (2019): Four Corners Farm; expanded romance options
· 1.5 (2021): Beach Farm; Desert area; Skull Cavern; new crops and fish
· 1.6 (2024): Meadowlands Farm; Festival of Ice; new pets; 8-player co-op on PC; mastery system for farming skills
When Can We Expect It?
At this time, no release date or timeframe has been announced for Stardew Valley 1.7. ConcernedApe has been deliberately vague about when players can expect to see the update, focusing instead on ensuring quality.
Given the current development status (confirmed in August 2025 with "a ton of ideas" already in place), and considering the typical development 周期 for major Stardew Valley updates, we might see 1.7 launch sometime in 2026, but this is purely speculative.
How to Stay Updated
The best way to get official news about Stardew Valley 1.7 is to follow ConcernedApe on social media (particularly X/Twitter) or check the official Stardew Valley website. As development progresses, we can expect more details to trickle out—though Barone has made it clear he intends to keep most surprises under wraps until the update is closer to release.
Final Thoughts
Stardew Valley 1.7 is shaping up to be another substantial addition to a game that has already provided thousands of hours of enjoyment for players worldwide. With a new farm type, enhanced social content, and "lots more" in the works, this update promises to breathe new life into the Valley for both veteran farmers and newcomers alike.
While we'll have to be patient for a release date, the fact that ConcernedApe has a dedicated team helping with this update is reassuring—suggesting we won't have to wait as long as we might have otherwise. In the meantime, there's no better time to revisit the Valley or start a new farm in preparation for all the exciting new content that's on the way.