Why Stardew Valley Should Be Next After Balatro and Dave the Diver

Since its debut in 2016, Stardew Valley has established itself as a heavyweight in the indie game scene, leaving a lasting mark on the genre. Even after almost a decade, the game’s future remains promising. Last year’s patch 1.6 update was one of the most substantial updates the game has seen, and there’s still ample opportunity for further development.

While Stardew Valley has undoubtedly shaped the work of countless indie developers, it might just be time to turn the tables and let some of the latest indie sensations start influencing it. Games like Balatro and Dave the Diver have done some fantastic crossovers, and Stardew Valley could surely reap similar benefits by incorporating crossover content.

Balatro made quite a splash last year. This charming card game shares a commonality with Stardew Valley in that it’s been made by a lone developer. Despite the indie nature, LocalThunk, the mastermind behind Balatro, has ingeniously managed to integrate a wide array of franchises into the game. Its collaborations range from indie gems like Cult of the Lamb and Among Us, all the way to blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3.

In a similar vein, Dave the Diver is embracing crossovers wholeheartedly. Its recent DLC featured a collaboration with Like a Dragon and included crossovers with indie sensations such as Potioncraft. This approach keeps the game world fresh and engaging, and future expansions or spin-offs are on the horizon. Right now, the game’s crossover strategy enriches its universe beyond the original content.

Interestingly, both Dave the Diver and Balatro have crossed paths, and the latter has even included Stardew Valley in its Friends of Jimbo 2 pack.

As successful as these games are with crossovers, Stardew Valley still reigns supreme in the indie domain. Imagining a scenario where Dave from Dave the Diver wanders into Pelican Town isn’t far-fetched. Visualizing jester hats inspired by Baltaro or scuba suits popping up as new wearable items showcases only a fraction of what’s possible. Eric Barone, the solo developer behind Stardew Valley, has yet to deeply explore crossover content, which is quite remarkable. However, if he desires to inject a fresh spark into the game, welcoming collaborations with either indie peers or even major titles might be an exciting route.

It’s noteworthy that Stardew Valley has sold over an impressive 41 million copies worldwide.

While the idea of Stardew Valley embracing crossover elements is thrilling, Barone’s energy might be better spent elsewhere. His upcoming project, Haunted Chocolatier, announced in October 2021, has been under development for quite some time. This game tells the tale of a candy maker residing in a ghostly castle.

When the 1.6 update for Stardew Valley launched last year, Barone admitted it had pulled him away from focusing on Haunted Chocolatier. Delving into significant crossover endeavors would eventually delay this much-anticipated successor.

Although seeing Stardew Valley take cues from Balatro and Dave the Diver would excite many players, it might extend the wait for Haunted Chocolatier. Whether Stardew Valley will finally open the gates to crossovers remains to be seen, but if it does, it would mark a significant moment in the indie gaming sphere.