Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone has given an update on Haunted Chocolatier, his long-awaited follow-up project, saying development has been "very productive" in recent months and that it is now the work he feels most driven to do. The remarks offer reassurance to fans who have waited years for concrete news, signalling that the game remains an active priority for the notoriously solo, meticulous developer rather than having stalled or been shelved.

Barone has previously split his attention between Haunted Chocolatier and ongoing support for Stardew Valley, including its 1.6 update and console/mobile ports, which has historically slowed visible progress on the new title. Haunted Chocolatier is a life-sim in a similar vein to Stardew Valley, casting players as a chocolatier in a spooky, fantastical setting, but no release window has been given, and Barone continues to work largely alone on the project without committing to a firm timeline.