Mr. Concerned Ape

[VPlanida]

Mr. Concerned Ape and support team. Thank you for all this years of dedicated work on stardew updates. But please move on.
There might be too much content already and it kind of starts too hurt the game. While "speed running" 1.6 I found my self thinking "cool, but why?" one too many times. New and unused seeds (like carrots), books (running speed lvl 2 - unnoticeable to the naked eye, fish rue from chests - nukes the inventory)... and loot boxes? Raccoons that sell the seeds for stuff that is not really needed?

The best thing so far I can recall is the coal addition to the quarry.

The game, as it is now, is great. But adding more and more carrots in to this "stew" will eventually make it a pot of carrots.

Time to make the haunted chocola... choco... that game.

[ChrillBill]

I disagree. 1.6 was a great addition to the game and expanded upon it in a good way. As someone who doesn't speedrun the game I actually found a lot of the content in 1.6 very useful as well as the Quality of Life improvements.

If Mr. ConcernedApe decided to keep the door open I will fully support such a decision, as he isn't someone who just puts out content for the sake of it. I would say, well done Mr. ConcernedApe, and thank you for yet another great update for this wonderful game.

[nodehappy]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feedback! It's clear you care deeply about Stardew Valley and the direction of its updates. ConcernedApe and the team always appreciate hearing both positive and critical perspectives from the community. If you'd like to discuss more or share additional suggestions, feel free to post them here or on the official forums where the team actively gathers input. 😊

[Antidote#77]

I think you are undermining some of the additions to the game:
1. The new seeds:
- Carrot is the fastest growing crop in the game that only needed 3 days to be harvested, in
the early game they are your best Energy supply.
- Powder Melon is the only crop beside Winter Seeds and Fiber that you can grow in Winter,

2. Books::
- Jewels Of The Sea: you can get roe from the Legendary Fishes without needing a Fish
Pond.
- Both the Way Of The Wind: combining with Horse: The Book and Ol' Slitherlegs and the
effect is very noticeable.
- Treasure Appraisal Guide: with this book your Artifacts especially Dinosaur Eggs can be
more of use.

3. Raccoon's Shop (i assume you have finished their quest line):
- You can trade 3 of normal Boxes to get a Golden one and 20 Golden Boxes can get you a
Magic Rock Candy.

The best way to experience a new update in my opinion is to make a new farm and actively choosing other ways of making money than Farming & Artisan, i have done 2 playthroughs within 1.6 and i'm very happy with the changes.

[BirbNotBird]

Originally posted by VPlanida:

But please move on.
There might be too much content already and it kind of starts too hurt the game.

The game, as it is now, is great. But adding more and more carrots in to this "stew" will eventually make it a pot of carrots.

I disagree, I haven't been overwhelmed with new additions. In fact, having them ingame make doing task more fun imo.

I'm the kind that enjoys the game in roleplay way. There's plenty of time to explore, and I find more fun with having slow rewards like walking speed + fishing roes + loot boxes.

I think generally the new additions make the game more enjoyable. I like making choices, and 1.6 encourages me to do other branches of gameplay that I rarely do.

[VPlanida]

To put more meat in my "gripe" so to speak, let me elaborate further.
New additions do not resolve nor they creates gameplay "issues" (the thing that makes gaming fun).
When game subtracts it's own features (issues) it stops being fun.

Originally posted by Antidote#77:

I think you are undermining some of the additions to the game:
1. The new seeds:
- Carrot is the fastest growing crop in the game that only needed 3 days to be harvested, in
the early game they are your best Energy supply.

You as a player given a rod and trained to fish on a third day, You can't get more biblical. On the other hand there are leaks, wild onions. On day 4 to 5 you have parsnips. Somewhere around day 10 to 15 you have infinite amount of green beans. 15 to 18 - salmonberries for a month or two.

Food economy is a problem to solve, it is a gameplay feature. Take that out and we have one less gameplay feature.
That's what I meant by adding to many carrots to a stew makes it a pot of carrots. Take out all the hardship and you won't have a game by the end.

Originally posted by Antidote#77:

2. Books::
- Jewels Of The Sea: you can get roe from the Legendary Fishes without needing a Fish
Pond.

You cannot get the chest without catching the fish. The moment you got the fish (level 6-10 fishing) you shouldn't have any problems build pond or one time using existing one, it is cheap to make.
Yet again, this feature is designed to take out a gameplay feature.

Instead of being useful this buff nukes your inventory early game when it is the most crucial.

Originally posted by Antidote#77:

- Both the Way Of The Wind: combining with Horse: The Book and Ol' Slitherlegs and the
effect is very noticeable.

Not for me really. It's is not the situation "i think it's bed then it's objectively bad". Playing fairly normally (except of rushing everything first two years) I could not perceive the change. Truth be told, I don't use a horse since personally I see no point in it.

Because of a use animation you can not persevere the change with your naked eye, and there are few levels of the running book.
The moment you can afford both books you don't really need them because of either totems, or cart, or coffee.
The speed was never the problem in game since the moment you really need to zoom around the map you do have all the options by that time.

P.S. Went on and googled it. +0.25 each level. It can no be perceived.

Originally posted by Antidote#77:

- Treasure Appraisal Guide: with this book your Artifacts especially Dinosaur Eggs can be
more of use.

The mayo.

Let me emphasize one funny thing.

No one spoke about moss so far and there is allot of it.

And I didn't even talked about leveling beyond level 10 since I could not so far get there.

---

Don't get me wrong. I love the game and I see good thing where there are any.
Fishing became harder witch is being solved by new bait. That's the problem introduction and a solution at it's best.
Winter costumes are cool.
Fishing festivals are cool.
Desert festivals are cool.
Coal in the quarry is cool.
The pricing book is cool.
Leveling up combat became a little to hard. I'm not even sure if it is a bug or a feature. 10 in all but combat and going every day to lava levels or skull cave with a galaxy sword does not help at all.

If team want's to solve a real problem in the game - add a gps book, that let's you see 2 hearts and up people on the map.

[VPlanida]

P.P.S. Got to all 10.
Late game leveling system is alright.

[BirbNotBird]

Originally posted by VPlanida:

New additions do not resolve nor they creates gameplay "issues" (the thing that makes gaming fun).
When game subtracts it's own features (issues) it stops being fun.

I will argue that opinion feels not so convinced. I do think "tension for choices" which are generated from new addition is good enough.

Players have fun when they have more choices, not being limited or forced. Despite being a relaxing game, Stardew plays on a time clock that forces players to think. I will say that no hardships are taken out.

You could claim that new additions make players rely on them by a lot. However, again, fun can be very different depend on the person. Players feedbacks are vital, and I hope what I typed can share my take on 1.6 in general.

Originally posted by VPlanida:

You as a player given a rod and trained to fish on a third day, You can't get more biblical. On the other hand there are leaks, wild onions. On day 4 to 5 you have parsnips. Somewhere around day 10 to 15 you have infinite amount of green beans. 15 to 18 - salmonberries for a month or two.

Food economy is a problem to solve, it is a gameplay feature.

I never find myself have problem with food. This comes off as nitpicking since existing food sources in the quote guarantees I can easily have enough energy for what I do till 2am.

Carrots do fun in diversifying what food sources though. It's not really hard choice since I can easily pull a stack of something else, or buy food at Gus.

Originally posted by VPlanida:

The moment you got the fish (level 6-10 fishing) you shouldn't have any problems build pond or one time using existing one, it is cheap to make.

Yet again, this feature is designed to take out a gameplay feature.

Instead of being useful this buff nukes your inventory early game when it is the most crucial.

I agree with nuke inventory. However, it's fun to make choice to discard it or leave it in a chest. This generates decisions to be made. Should I read that book? Should I prepare a facility for my fishing zone? Should I simply accept it?

Originally posted by VPlanida:

Truth be told, I don't use a horse since personally I see no point in it.
The moment you can afford both books you don't really need them because of either totems, or cart, or coffee.
The speed was never the problem in game since the moment you really need to zoom around the map you do have all the options by that time.

Hard disagree, I use horse most of time. In fact I prioritize stable as what I must have. I rarely bother to brew coffee in early to mid game. Although the book giving small return, I think it does save me plenty of time. Combo with those speed items and you get insane speed.

The speed was never a serious problem. However, it can makes a break or not between reach from A to B. I appreciate the additions of 3 speed books. I appreciate not having to drink coffee too much in my days, in exchange having an extra space.

Originally posted by VPlanida:

No one spoke about moss so far and there is allot of it.

Vinegar. It keeps moss away forever. But truth be told, I find myself shortage of moss a lot.

Tldr: I do think new additions are not really issues breaker. It mainly players' play styles. New content brings fresh experience and more choices to make, instead of restricting players to a "must do this do that".

[ChrillBill]

What I feel is somewhat lost here is that players play the game in very different ways. Take the horse for example, I too disagree that it isn't useful because it is for most part for my particular playstyle. I tend to also do a lot of roleplaying, so what many feel are unnecessary I find great use of during a playthrough. In this regard it can never as I see it be a bad thing to add in more stuff that essentially gives the players more options that perhaps also fits better with their particular playstyle. You can also look at it as more ways towards achieving certain goals. It was however a bit of a crime to not include a recipe for carrot cake...

But I have forgiven CA for this!

[I dont like sand]

Don't forget that a lot of the time is also spent ensuring the PC version of the game is in line with consoles as well as android/ios. Eric also likes to procrastinate and be inspired when working on his games. That means going back and looking at his previous masterpiece, Stardew Valley. This is not uncommon for a lot of creative professions in other industries as well, not just game development. So he's doing what he thinks works best for him. I don't get why people need to have some input into his life. It's clear he knows what he wants and has direction and purpose. A few inpatient people wanting to see his new game disguised as concern isn't warranted. Just let him be.

[VPlanida]

Last thing I will bring up in this thread - getting mastery levels is a bit to easy (fast). Two endgame levels in less than a season feels way to fast.

[psychotron]

theres a horse?

[VPlanida]

Originally posted by psychotron:

theres a horse?

Build a stable

[ChrillBill]

Originally posted by VPlanida:

Last thing I will bring up in this thread - getting mastery levels is a bit to easy (fast). Two endgame levels in less than a season feels way to fast.

This too depends a little on how you play I guess but I wouldn't mind having an option to increase the difficulty here, just like you can tweak the profit margin. Are you using mods? I did find that the tractor mod kinda ruined it on my first 1.6 playthrough, since that made it way too easy and fast achieving those levels. Without it, or having it tweaked into a more regular tractor made the pacing quite ok I think. Still, options are always nice.

[Red5unBlues]

totally irrelevant but, a good way to remember how to spell chocolate is the phrase "Cho and Company are late" Cho co late. :p

[DasaKamov]

Originally posted by VPlanida:

While "speed running" 1.6

When you're Speed Running the game, you're deliberately skipping as much content as you can to get to the end. Content additions are there for when you want to savor your game time and experience all you can.

This is a bit of an odd complaint.