The highly anticipated 1.6 update for Stardew Valley is nearing its release, as creator Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone announced that the update is now content-complete and in the bug-fixing and polishing phase. With promises of a 2024 release, players can expect a host of new content and features.

Barone took to Twitter to share the exciting news, stating that the 1.6 update ended up being more extensive than originally planned. While he has concluded adding major new content, the focus has now shifted to refining the update for its impending release. The update will introduce a plethora of new additions, including three in-game festivals, over 100 lines of new dialogue, eight-player support, new items and crafting recipes, as well as winter outfits for the villagers. Notably, the update will also feature the much-anticipated addition of hats for cats and dogs.

Following the release of the substantial 1.5 update for PC in late 2020, Barone initially shifted his attention to his next game, Haunted Chocolatier. However, the announcement of the 1.6 update for Stardew Valley in November 2022 brought renewed excitement to the community, despite initial expectations of a more modest update with a focus on improved mod support.

Barone’s dedication to expanding the update has been evident, with the continuous unveiling of new features and content. Despite the scope of the update, Barone has assured players that the 1.6 update will ‘absolutely’ be released in 2024, with a likely initial release on PC. He expressed his reluctance to have a significant delay between the PC release and the console/mobile versions, emphasizing the importance of simultaneous availability across platforms.

As the community eagerly anticipates the arrival of the 1.6 update, Barone’s commitment to delivering an extensive and polished update has set the stage for an exciting year for Stardew Valley players.