As fans continue to wait patiently for more news onHaunted Chocolatier,developer ConcernedApe’s next major title, many are turning back toStardew Valleyto soak in every last update the beloved farming sim has to offer. From its silent whimsy to how it redefined the gold standard in the farming sim genre,Stardew Valleyhas set a high bar forHaunted Chocolatierto follow. Most importantly, it has set a blueprint—from how to deliver an excellent gaming experience to the systems it should move on from. And in doing so, players may have stumbled upon something rather unexpected: a better way to do festivals.
SquidFest may appear to be a minor event on an otherwise busy calendar inStardew Valley, but its design choices could make it a standout example of how in-game festivals should function. Rather than shutting down the entire town and halting player progress for the duration of an event, SquidFest embraces immersion without disrupting the game’s rhythm. It’s a subtle shift, but one that feels perfectly aligned withwhatHaunted Chocolatiercould evolve into, especially given its promise of eerie, whimsical, and interactive town life.
Stardew Valley’s SquidFest Is Small, But Practical
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SquidFest isn’t one ofStardew Valley’s flashiest festivals. There’s no town-wide lighting ceremony or elaborate set-piece games. Instead, it’s a more grounded event in the middle of Winter that still feels lively. WhencomparingStardew Valley festivals, though, SquidFest stands out for its twists. The twists are that shops remain open during SquidFest, homes are accessible, and the daily responsibilities players have, like feeding animals, don’t magically disappear. This makes SquidFest feel less like a forced break from the game’s world and more like something integrated into it. It’s a typical day in Pelican Town, just one with a little more flavor.
For veteran players, this is a much-needed refresh. MostStardew Valleyfestivals are charming, but they interrupt the routine that the player has carefully curated. Entire days are often lost to events, locking out basic actions such as shopping or earning money from crops.SquidFestsidesteps that problem, blending celebration and routine in a way that feels more realistic—and more satisfying.
Haunted Chocolatier Could Take This Practicality Even Further
Haunted Chocolatierremains shrouded in mystery, but everything revealed so far suggests a game where community engagement is just as important as shopkeeping and exploration. The idea of hosting or attending festivals in this new world seems inevitable, but how those festivals function is another question entirely.
Instead of pulling players away from their chocolate shop,festivals inHaunted Chocolatiercould happen around the player. Town events could bring in increased foot traffic, unique customer dialogue, limited-time ingredients, or special plot beats for romances. Better yet, players might be invited to contribute to the festivities through their own shops, offering special delicacies during celebrations and reaping rewards from them. That kind of immersive approach aligns perfectly with the lessons of SquidFest: the most impactful events don’t have to remove players from their routines; they can fold into them seamlessly, enhancing the experience rather than halting it.
A Different Kind of Seasonal Rhythm
IfHaunted Chocolatierdraws from SquidFest’s structure, it could open up a much richer seasonal rhythm. Rather than locking content behind specific dates or making players plan entire weeks around major events, town celebrations could appear more frequently and organically. From mini-market days and full-moon fairs to secret midnight meetups forparanormal romances inHaunted Chocolatier, all festivals and mini-festivals should be accessible without being disruptive.
InStardew Valley, many festivals are one-time, all-or-nothing commitments. However, in ConcernedApe’s new project, where mystery and atmosphere are likely to be at the forefront,Haunted Chocolatier’sunique holidays and festivalscan lean into that thematic world-building. But these don’t need to monopolize the player’s day; they can run parallel to it.
A Festival Blueprint That Actually Works
One of the most common frustrations withStardew Valley’s traditional festivals is how much they interrupt the daily flow of farm life. Players can lose out on an entire day’s income, miss a key window tobuild a relationship with a villager, or find themselves unable to buy seeds for empty plots, halting progress for no good reason. Festivals are charming, sure, but they often come at the cost of momentum.
WhileStardew Valley’s big events still hold charm, SquidFest has given players a taste of something more modern: festival design that respects the flow of daily life. It’s a smart evolution thatHaunted Chocolatiershould take to heart. As ConcernedApe crafts its next cozy but spooky world, there’s a clear opportunity to let players stay immersed in the routines they build while still feeling part of something festive. IfHaunted Chocolatiersucceeds in blending the best ofStardew Valley’s charmwith SquidFest’s practical pacing, it may very well redefine how life-sim festivals are handled for years to come.
Haunted Chocolatier
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
