It’s been just over a year since the blockbuster 1.6 update revitalized Pelican Town, introducing everything from new festivals to a mysterious Big Tree. Since then, the passionate community surrounding Stardew Valley has been buzzing with one big question: What’s next?
True to form, fans haven’t been shy about taking their curiosity straight to the source. Developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, renowned for his hands-on, transparent relationship with players, is frequently met with polite pleas for hints on X (formerly Twitter). This week, he delivered.
In a refreshingly direct response to a fan asking for a "little crumb" of news, Barone offered the first solid details about the upcoming Stardew Valley 1.7 update, and it’s exactly what social players have been dreaming of.
A Deep Dive into Relationships: Social Features Get a Major Boost
The headline news? Update 1.7 will significantly expand the game’s social and interpersonal mechanics. Barone confirmed the update will introduce "more character interactions and new social elements."
This addresses a long-standing community wish. While Stardew Valley’s heartwarming characters are a core part of its charm, players have often expressed a desire for deeper, more dynamic relationships beyond gift-giving and heart events. Could this mean more dialogue variety, multi-character cutscenes, or new ways to bond with Pelican Town’s residents? Barone is keeping the specifics under wraps for now, but the focus on social gameplay is a clear win for role-playing and immersion fans.
Can you give any hints about the newest update that we could look forward to or a sneak peak?
— Sarah (@CynderSkull25) December 17, 2025
A Fresh Start: A New Farm Type Joins the Roster
Alongside richer social dynamics, ConcernedApe confirmed another beloved staple of major updates: a brand-new farm type. He noted that since "every major update has had a new farm," version 1.7 will continue this tradition.
This announcement alone sparks endless speculation. Will it be a coastal cove focused on fishing? A mystical forest with unique foragables? Or perhaps a collaborative mountain plot geared toward mining? The introduction of a new farm layout always reinvents the early-game experience, offering veterans a compelling reason to start a fresh save file.
Just the Beginning: "Lots More" is on the Horizon
Perhaps the most exciting part of Barone’s reveal was the tease that these features are merely the tip of the iceberg. He explicitly stated that the social expansions and new farm are "just a couple parts" of the plan, coyly adding that there’s "lots more" in the works.
In his tweet, Barone shared this exciting news directly with the community, fueling immediate excitement across forums and social media. This open line of communication continues to be a cornerstone of the game’s enduring success.
The Unprecedented Support for a Beloved Game
The continued development of Stardew Valley remains an exceptional case in the gaming industry. Nearly a decade after its initial release, Barone is still crafting substantial, free content updates—all while actively developing his highly anticipated next project, Haunted Chocolatier.
This dedication underscores a unique developer-player relationship built on trust and genuine passion. There’s no sign of Barone’s creative well running dry, and the community’s appetite for new Stardew content seems equally endless.
When can we play it? As always with ConcernedApe’s process, a release date for update 1.7 has not been announced. The developer is known for his meticulous, "it's ready when it's ready" approach to ensure quality. While this means players will need to exercise a bit more patience, the promise of deeper social systems, a new farm, and secret surprises makes the wait undoubtedly worthwhile.
Stay tuned to official channels for the next crumb of news from the valley. In the meantime, maybe it’s a good day to check in on your neighbors in Pelican Town—they might have more to say soon.