Stardew Valley Patch 1.6 Released on PC First, Developer Offers Insight

Stardew Valley Developer Explains Prioritizing PC for Stability

Stardew Valley PC Version Is The "Beta Test" Version

Developer Says PC Releases Much Easier To Patch Than Console

When Stardew Valley’s long awaited 1.6 version update was released, console players found themselves waiting longer than expected. Eric Barone, the game’s developer, recently opened up about why this delay occurred and how it impacts the future of the game.

According to Barone, the decision to release the update on PC first was made to reduce the likelihood of critical bugs appearing on consoles. Barone views the PC release as a “sort of a beta test”. By prioritizing PCs, Barone can identify bugs more easily and push patches faster, something not as feasible with consoles due to their certification processes.

What’s Included in Stardew Valley’s 1.6 Update?

Released on PC in March 2024, the Stardew Valley 1.6 update adds a wealth of new content for seasoned players. Set to release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android on November 4, 2024, the update introduces new festivals, items dialogue and balance adjustments.

Among the new additions are The Desert Festival, a vibrant, three-day event that occurs in spring once the bus is repaired, and two mini-fishing festivals, Trout Derby and SquidFest. These events provide new ways for players to interact with the world of Stardew Valley and its characters.

The update also introduces several new items such as the Dehydrator which turns fruit into dried fruit and mushrooms into dried mushrooms, Fish Smoker, which produces smoked fish, and Tent Kits, that allows you to build a tent which can be slept in for one night.

Additionally, over 100 new lines of dialogue have been added as well as key balancing changes. For example, adjustments have been made to the in-game economy, affecting the prices of certain crops and items as well as combat mechanics such as monster exp being given at ⅓ of normal value when defeating them at the farm.

You can view the entire Stardew Valley 1.6 update on its Steam page.