The beloved farming simulator Stardew Valley has seen an unprecedented surge in popularity following the release of its 1.6 update less than a day ago. With a new peak of 146,159 concurrent players on Steam, as reported by SteamDB, the game has far surpassed its previous record, drawing in both new and returning fans with a plethora of fresh content. This remarkable achievement places the nearly ten-year-old indie game ahead of this week's concurrent player stats for Palworld, showcasing its enduring appeal and dedicated fanbase.
What's new in the 1.6 update?
This major update brings many exciting features to the tranquil world of Stardew Valley. Among the most notable additions is the expansive “Meadowlands” farm, tailor-made for those who love animal husbandry. It offers more space and resources for rearing animals. Players can now relocate their farmhouse, giving them even more freedom to customise their farm to their heart's content.
But that's not all – the update introduces several new pets, including turtles and various breeds of cats and dogs, alongside the ability to have multiple pets roam your farm. The game's NPCs haven't been left out either, with a wealth of new dialogue to explore, further enriching the story and relationships. And for those with a quirky sense of humour, the ability to drink mayonnaise has been added, proving that Stardew Valley still knows how to surprise its players.
Surprises and future updates
Despite the comprehensive patch notes, the developers have kept a few secrets up their sleeves, ensuring that players encounter surprises as they delve into the game. Currently available on Steam and GOG, the 1.6 update has already received a minor patch (1.6.1) to iron out some initial bugs. While there's no word yet on when the update will hit consoles and mobile devices, Xbox Gamepass users can expect it “incoming soon.” Stardew Valley is currently discounted to just US$11.99 on Steam to sweeten the deal, making it the perfect time for interested newcomers to join the community.
Stardew Valley's ability to continually engage its player base years after its initial release is a testament to the game's quality and the passion of its developer, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. By listening to the community and consistently delivering content players want, Stardew Valley remains a standout example of indie gaming.
