Stardew Valley fans can rejoice as the highly anticipated 1.6 patch finally has a release date set for March 19. Developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone announced the news, revealing that the game, which was originally launched in 2016, has sold over 30 million copies and is currently thriving more than ever.
The upcoming patch will introduce a plethora of new content to the beloved life and farming simulator, breathing new life into Stardew Valley as it celebrates its eighth anniversary. While the 1.6 patch will first be available for Windows PC players on March 19, console and mobile players can expect it to roll out shortly after.
Barone teased some of the exciting features that players can look forward to in the update, including a new major festival, two mini festivals, expanded late-game content, new items and crafting recipes, additional winter outfits for villagers, eight-player multiplayer support, a new farm type, and new secrets to uncover. Additionally, the update is expected to make modding the game easier and more powerful.
Barone, who took a break from developing his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, in 2023 to focus on finalizing the 1.6 update, plans to return to his new project once the patch is complete. Stardew Valley’s previous major update, 1.5, was released in 2020 and introduced significant additions to the game, such as a new island, events, puzzles, and more.
Despite Barone’s other projects, Stardew Valley continues to thrive with various spin-offs like an orchestral concert tour, a board game adaptation, and an upcoming cookbook. With the release date of the 1.6 update announced, fans are eagerly anticipating what new adventures await in Stardew Valley.
