Stardew Valley at 10: ConcernedApe teases marriage options and more in 1.7 video
stardew valley turns 10 today, and solo developer ConcernedApe — also known as Eric Barone — used a YouTube video to celebrate the anniversary while previewing the upcoming 1. 7 update, news that matters because the update introduces the first new marriage candidates in years.
Stardew Valley's 1. 7 adds Clint and Sandy as marriage candidates
At the very end of the anniversary video, Barone revealed that players will be able to romance Clint, the blacksmith, and Sandy, the desert shopkeeper, as part of the 1. 7 update.
Why Clint is a surprising pick
Clint's addition drew attention because Clint is commonly made fun of by members of the community who dislike his personality, and he stands out as one of the more commonly disdained characters in the cast; adding romance quests for Clint is likely Barone's way to give that character more depth through relationship content.
Fans still want Robin and the Wizard; 1. 8 mentioned
Players have long requested other marriage candidates, most notably Robin — who is married when the player arrives in the village — and the Wizard; unless those characters appear in a future 1. 8 update, fans will have to rely on fanfic and mods for those romances.
Video mixes nostalgia, behind-the-scenes work and new features
The anniversary clip took a trip down memory lane to show off old builds of the farming sim, offered a sneak peek at 1. 7 while also providing a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the project coming together, and closed with the marriage-candidate reveal.
Where 1. 7, Switch 2 and Haunted Chocolatier stand now
Stardew Valley's 1. 7 update does not have a release window yet, though Barone said it will hopefully be out sometime soon; meanwhile, the game's Switch 2 update includes split-screen co-op and mouse controls, and ConcernedApe's next game, Haunted Chocolatier, has no release date and remains widely anticipated.
An odd leftover line
Short and stout, this is my handle, this is my spout.
The next confirmed milestone is the release of the 1. 7 update once a release window is announced; until then players can revisit the Switch 2 changes or rewatch the anniversary video for the 1. 7 preview.
