Stardew Valley update 1.7 could be the game's largest update yet, creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone says. For players considering another visit to the farm, the attraction goes beyond the two new romance options already revealed. Barone says there's considerably more on the way.
The additions already heading to 1.7
Barone first announced work on 1.7 in August 2025, extending Stardew Valley's development beyond update 1.6. The farming sim began as his solo project, and another content update continues its long history of growing well beyond that original release.
Before his latest comments about the update's size, Barone had already revealed several additions that touch both farming and the social side of Stardew Valley:
- Clint and Sandy will become marriage candidates, adding two romance options.
- A new farm type will expand the starting choices available to players.
- More social features are planned alongside the marriage additions.
Those reveals give 1.7 two distinct points of interest. Players invested in the villagers have new relationships to explore, while anyone considering a fresh start has another farm type ahead. The update's early feature announcements already reach into different parts of a Stardew playthrough.
Existing farm setup choices
Barone raises expectations at Red Rocks
The latest comments came during a Stardew Valley Symphony of Seasons concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. After reflecting on the game's growth, Barone turned to the update currently in development.
"We're working on the 1.7 update, which is looking to be the largest Stardew Valley update ever," he said. "It's jam-packed."
He described the newly announced marriage candidates as "just the tip of the iceberg," placing those additions within a much broader content update. That's the significant change in expectations here: the features already revealed represent only part of what Barone is building.
For players who keep returning to cozy games, the comparison has a concrete reference point. Updates 1.5 and 1.6 added new regions, festivals, and characters between them. Calling 1.7 potentially the largest puts it alongside releases that expanded where players could go and what they could do. Stardew Valley has already set itself a high bar.
Alongside Stardew Valley, Barone is developing Haunted Chocolatier. He has previously described that project as "taking a long time," explaining that going over every detail is part of making a game he's satisfied with. Both projects remain in development, giving his next farming-sim update a place alongside work on an entirely new game.
If the 1.7 news has you opening a farm again, the Stardew Valley guide collection can help refresh the basics while development continues.
