After months of beta testing, Stardew Valley’s multiplayer update has been stamped with an official release date of August 1st. However, the update is only for the PC version of the indie farming gem turned critical and commercial success. In a trailer revealing the news, Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone confirms PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One versions are on there way though no firm release date was provided.
Multiplayer seems a logical route for a game seemingly ideal for playing with friends with its whimsical charms and idiosyncratic townsfolk. The news will regal fans who’ve been waiting patiently since inklings of multiplayer emerged over half a decade ago amid the game’s intense and, more importantly, solo development. Publisher Chucklefish confirmed the update was coming nearly a year ago making the announcement rather fitting.
As with the beta, the update allows a player to enlist the help of up to three friends with the daily tasks of running a farm. Conveniently, each enlisted player is handed their own cabin alongside the main farm house and can get involved in all the activities available in Stardew Valley from foraging and farming, to exploring the mines and getting involved with the local populace. Players can also be joined in holy matrimony if they so wish or wreck havoc by attempting to court the same NPC.
Money earned from selling produce is shared among the four players as are in-game challenges such as the bundles and narrative progress. Skill trees and inventory contents remain unique to each individual. The idea to instill a sense of responsibility in all players for the farms success or failure.
The beta is no longer accessible online in anticipation of the release. Players who took part can expect the update to include all the same features as the beta and few last minute bug fixes according to a tweet authored by Eric Barone.
As for the details, the Stardew Valley multiplayer patch launches on August 1st on Steam, WeGame, and GoG. It’s available for all owners of the game and will be included with all new purchases from that date forward. As we’ve known for some time, the update won’t be ported to the PS Vita.
