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Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a beloved indie farming simulation game developed by ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). Players inherit their grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley and must learn to live off the land, growing crops, raising animals, mining, fishing, and building relationships with the townspeople in this charming pixel-art world.

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Stardew Valley

Format

game

Release Year

2016

Current Status

Active with regular updates

Country of Origin

United States

Publisher

ConcernedApe, Chucklefish (initial)

Original Work

game

Genre

farming simulation, indie, pixel art, relaxing, multiplayer, life simulation, crafting

Where to Start & Recommended Order

A beginner-friendly guide for starting Stardew Valley without spoilers.

Best starting point

Start with the earliest core game (around 2016), then expand to other official releases as needed.

Recommended order

If multiple formats exist (anime, manga, films, games), follow the official release order within each format to avoid spoilers and missing context.

Fast-track option

To catch up faster, focus on the main story / questline first, then return to side content later.

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Stardew Valley.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn thes...

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Pelican Town is a small, close-knit community nestled in Stardew Valley. The valley features diverse environments: a bustling town square, a serene beach, dense forests, deep mines filled with monster...

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

farming simulation, indie, pixel art, relaxing, multiplayer, life simulation, crafting

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Stardew Valley's global influence.

Creation Background

Eric Barone wanted to create the ultimate farming game as a solo developer

Cultural Impact

Revitalized the farming simulation genre and inspired many indie developers

Legacy

Considered one of the greatest indie games ever made

Major Milestones

2016: Initial release on PC to critical acclaim,2017: Console versions launch,2018: Multiplayer update adds co-op gameplay,2019: Mobile versions release,2020: Major 1.5 update adds new content,2024: 1.6 update continues to expand the game

Revenue

Estimated over $300 million

Awards

Independent Games Festival Excellence in Audio,Golden Joystick Award for Best Indie Game

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Stardew Valley.

The Farmer

“There's something peaceful about farm life.”

The protagonist who inherits their grandfather's farm and starts a new life in Stardew ValleyView Profile

Explore all Stardew Valley characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of Stardew Valley?▼

The primary goal is to restore your grandfather's dilapidated farm, making it profitable and beautiful. However, you also aim to befriend the villagers, restore the Community Center (or support JojaMart), and explore the valley's secrets. There is no strict 'win' state, allowing you to play at your own pace.

Does Stardew Valley have an ending?▼

There is a 'soft' ending at the start of Year 3, where your grandfather's ghost evaluates your progress. However, the game continues indefinitely after this, allowing you to keep farming, building, and exploring forever.

Who can I marry in the game?▼

There are 12 marriage candidates (bachelors and bachelorettes) available to romance: Abigail, Alex, Elliott, Emily, Haley, Harvey, Leah, Maru, Penny, Sam, Sebastian, and Shane. You can date and marry any of them regardless of your character's gender.

Is there multiplayer in Stardew Valley?▼

Yes! Stardew Valley supports up to 4-player co-op (online or split-screen on some platforms). You can share a farm, money, and resources, working together to build your dream farm.

What platforms is Stardew Valley available on?▼

It is available on PC (Windows, Mac, Linux), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Who created Stardew Valley?▼

The game was created entirely by one person, Eric Barone (known as ConcernedApe). He did the programming, art, music, and writing solo over four years.

What is the Community Center vs. JojaMart route?▼

You can choose to restore the Community Center by collecting bundles of items, which encourages diverse gameplay. Alternatively, you can buy a JojaMart membership and pay gold to unlock town upgrades, which focuses more on profit generation.

Can I play with mods?▼

Yes, the PC version has a massive and active modding community. You can add everything from simple aesthetic changes to massive expansions like 'Stardew Valley Expanded'.

What are the Junimos?▼

Junimos are small, magical forest spirits that live in the Community Center. They help you by unlocking new areas and features as you complete bundles for them.

How long is a day in Stardew Valley?▼

A game day lasts from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM. In real time, a full day takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how often you pause the game (menu usage pauses time).