Is there a book, movie, or game that you go to again and again when you’re in need of some comfort? For me, that game is Stardew Valley, developed by one man over the course of four years, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. It’s a seemingly simple farming simulator game, where you calmly plant crops, harvest them, and meet folks in your quiet little farm town. But it’s got enough depth and exploration to keep you involved for years. I have so many saved games and hundreds and hundreds of hours put into this game. And, whenever I tire of it, I step away for months at a time and come back and get sucked in all over again.
It’s amazing to me that one man developed this game independently. According to Wikipedia, as of 2022, the game had sold more than 20 million copies across all platforms, which is mind-blowing to me.
Right now, I have it going in the background, and the soft pitter patter of rain falling and watering my crops is the most soothing thing in the world right now.
We should go mining together!
-Katie