During an appearance at the Symphony of Seasons concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater on October 25, ConcernedApe reportedly revealed that Stardew Valley 1.7 would be the game’s biggest update yet, with a tentative release window of 2027. According to attendees, he also described Clint and Sandy as merely the “tip of the iceberg.” That comment is particularly exciting in light of a mysterious message he shared in September, which has yet to receive any explanation. If the new marriage candidates represent such a small part of the update, the message’s more ambitious interpretations suddenly seem worth another look.
In September 2026, ConcernedApe shared a cryptic message on the official Stardew Valley Discord server containing three clues about Update 1.7. The first stated that “two paths will be extended,” which immediately prompted speculation about the game’s existing progression systems. One straightforward interpretation involves Clint and Sandy, whose previously limited relationship paths will be expanded to accommodate romance and marriage. Considering both characters have been part of the game for years, this seems like a reasonable explanation. However, the developer’s latest comments make me wonder whether the clue could be pointing toward something considerably more substantial.
Another interpretation involves the Community Center and JojaMart routes, which determine how players approach one of Stardew Valley’s central storylines. Although both paths eventually allow players to develop Pelican Town, their long-term consequences are relatively limited once the major objectives are completed. Extending these routes could introduce additional objectives or more meaningful differences between their outcomes. Personally, I find this possibility more exciting than the romance explanation, particularly because it would give experienced players another reason to revisit one of the game’s earliest decisions. Nothing confirms that the clue refers to these routes, but the reported scale of Update 1.7 makes the idea easier to imagine.
My girlfriend and I have been waiting for 1.7 for a year and a half to do our third co-op play through. Gotta let the man cook. Also… bigger than Ginger Island? That would be nuts.
Is this a good game for coop ? especially with a mostly non-gamer partner ? I’ve been easing my wife into games
It’s a great game for coop! Base game NPCs are well written (even though they are cliches by now, they were original at inception though!) so non-gamers have something to hook onto if they fail the mechanical demands (mostly the fishing minigame tbh, battle is knockback based = easy)
But, if you are going to play with a non-gamer you have to download some mods (time stops if both players are in a state which would stop time in singleplayer, and time stops in the house) because without the mods, it was one of the most stressful games we played together.
Days are short if time is passing when you are in a fishing minigame who knew?
Big agree on time stop mods for coop. It is highly stressful without it, especially getting a cut scene late in the day.
Thanks ! I’ll be sure to bring some mods then
Splitscreen couch co-op doesn’t need time stop mods, BTW! Lower that barrier for entry even more
What do you mean, these mods complicate the experience ? I’d rather keep it as simple as possible
If playing on two separate PCs is your only option, then yes, you need to use the mods.
Having to use mods in the first place and installing them on two different PCs and etc. is more complicated than using one machine and playing splitscreen couch co-op.
Splitscreen co-op manages time automatically, e.g. pausing when one person gets a cutscene and the other doesn’t. At least, the last time I played this way on Switch, this is how it worked!
I’ve been playing this game exclusively in co-op with the partner for a few 100 hours. Got all the acievements together as wel. So I would say yes
Cool thanks for the feedback
I play stardew with my wife all the time. Sometimes when she’s doing something else, I’ll tempt her by subtly increasing the volume on the title screen soundtrack…
You wicked man. Heheh.
heheh. Okay I might try it then. Cheers
Actually yes, did that with my spouse. We play together and they have their own farm going now in year 3
Nice thanks
I would say ye
Also try Travellers Rest if stardew is not to your liking. It is a bit more laid back, since you dont fall asleep half the time when you stay up too late. Still early access but has tons of content already.