While plenty of AAA games have helped change how some view games, independent games likeHaunted ChocolatierandStardew Valleyare some of the most artistically and creatively charged titles out there. Some are made by entire teams with a shared vision, while others, like the aforementionedHaunted Chocolatier,are made by a solo developer with or without help from peers.
It’s this creativity thatHaunted Chocolatierdeveloper Eric Barone wants to make integral to his chocolate-making game. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Barone talked about the left-brain and right-brain theory, which says some people or things are more logic-based while others thrive on instinct and almost “paranormal” senses.Haunted Chocolatierhas a large paranormal presencealready in the name, and a mythical vibe that has been described as “the moon toStardew Valley’s sun” by Barone himself. In a blog post following the interview, however, the developer has revealed thatHaunted Chocolatieraims to take this further with “intuitive” chocolate making.
Haunted Chocolatier Has Features That Literally Puts the Chocolate Making Process in the Player’s Hands
Haunted Chocolatierfeaturesintuitive chocolate-making, which certainly sounds interesting and fun while playing into Barone’s pre-existing game design strengths. While his wording was vague, he describes it as players being able to turn ingredients into chocolate through mechanical or whimsical methods. Each path will have its benefits, but neither will force players to abandon their preferred method by providing a better yield. Fans can get through the entire game making chocolate their own way with nothing but their own whims to make them change their minds.
This is whereConcernedApestates that the nature of video games plays against him. Video games need to be programmed, following “mechanical laws.” Because of this, it’s impossible forHaunted Chocolatierto feature an entirely intuitive chocolate-making system, but the alternative paths will allow players to be the intuitive element that the game itself lacks. In the end, though, Barone does note that people will eventually understand what system is there and find the “best way” to make chocolate. To this, he simply states “oh well.”
Stardew Valleyis the best example of what ConcernedApe is talking about.Stardew Valleyis one of the most open-ended farming simulators out there with multiple ways to get to the designated end of a playthrough. At the same time,Stardewhas so many finicky paths tied to the “mechanical rules” of the game that have one way to unlock what lies beyond them.
In a way, this chocolate-making system might prove to be the best example of how Barone applied what helearned fromStardew ValleytoHaunted Chocolatier. There are likely going to be ways that players can only get the chocolate they want by following specific methods, but there’s a chance that the experience might be significant;y more flexible thanStardew Valley’s more precise secrets. Even then,Stardew Valleyallowed players to truly do what they wanted to with the core feature of the game, its farming simulator portion. It’s very likely that the same can be said of future players' work as a chocolatier, as that portion of the game will serve the same purpose. The idea of a similarly structured open-ended system that goes a step further to avoid falling intoStardew Valley’s coded walls sounds like an incredible follow-up for fans of Barone’s work.
Allowing players to choose between a more fun way of creating their chocolate or meticulously following steps for the best possible sweets to sell almostletsHaunted Chocolatiercapture the art of making foodin real life. With anything people make in the kitchen, they can either follow a recipe to the letter or do what they want in the moment and experiment a bit, with it all coming down to personal preference. Having this be part of the game, no matter how intricate or not-entirely intuitive it actually is, helps players be their own chocolatier, and that might turn out to be the best part of the experience whenHaunted Chocolatierfinally reaches players.
