Everything we know about ConcernedApe’s Haunted Chocolatier: Plot, gameplay details & more

Stardew Valley creator Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone has revealed his next game, so here’s everything we know about Haunted Chocolatier thus far, including plot, gameplay details, and the announcement trailer.

Following the success of the beloved farming simulator Stardew Valley in 2016, fans long wondered what the next title under ConcernedApe’s belt would be.

Back in early 2020, the solo game developer teased that he was working on new projects, and on October 21, 2021, he finally revealed his next venture: Haunted Chocolatier. Here’s everything we know about the game.

ConcernedApe

You play as a chocolatier in the game.

Announcement trailer

On October 21, 2021, ConcernedApe released the announcement trailer for the game that showcased the gameplay and gave a glimpse at new characters, including Lily, blacksmith Burk, Maddie, and Jett.

Is there a release date?

There’s currently no release date set for Haunted Chocolatier. In fact, ConcernedApe revealed that development only really started in 2020, so it could still be a ways off, given he’s a lone developer.

“I haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. I’ve been mostly working on the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the game so far,” he said in an early blog post.

In August 2024, ConcernedApe shared more bad news on Twitter. “I have not touched Haunted Chocolatier in a long time because I am committed to finalizing Stardew 1.6 first,” he wrote in a longer tweet apologizing to Stardew players on console and mobile.

The game’s 1.6 update, which released on PC in March 2024, still has not come to other platforms. With no release date or window announced for that, it could be a while before ConcernedApe can get back to working on Haunted Chocolatier.

Platforms

According to the FAQ section of the Haunted Chocolatier site, the only platform we can expect Haunted Chocolatier to release on at the moment is PC. However, the creator has highlighted that he has “every intention of bringing [Haunted Chocolatier] to the other major platforms as well”. It just might not be at launch.

ConcernedApe

You fight enemies to gather ingredients.

What is Haunted Chocolatier about?

The developer has kept tight-lipped about the plot of his next game so far. But what we do know is that you will play as a chocolatier managing a confectionery shop inside a castle filled with ghosts.

You make your own chocolate, going out and gathering ingredients for your recipes, which you then sell once it’s made. In a blog post, ConcernedApe revealed that it is very much “another “town game”, where you move to a new town and try your hand at a new way of living,” but is “quite a bit different” compared to Stardew Valley.

 Gameplay details

Despite looking like Stardew Valley at first glance with the pixel art style, Haunted Chocolatier is very different. Yes, it features a town with townspeople you interact with, but you trade a cozy farmhouse for a dark castle.

The single-player game is an action RPG, meaning battles play a big part in the gameplay. You defeat enemies like slimes and crows and forage for ingredients, before taking it back to your kitchen to craft your chocolate. One particular screenshot even shows off a boss fight with a giant bee.

It appears as though you can invite townsfolk to your castle, and have one-on-one interactions with villagers, even being able to choose conversation options.

ConcernedApe

Look at the ghost’s little goggles!

One such visitor was revealed in September 2023, as ConcernedApe continued his usual cadence of releasing one new screenshot at a time. Here, we see an elderly man waking from a “terrible dream.”

Who could he be? Well, one theory suggests he may be the very same Grandpa from Stardew Valley, implying the worlds are connected. We’ll just have to wait and see if that’s indeed the case.

Haunted Chocolatier revealed design

To celebrate 1 million followers, Concerned Ape, the mind behind Haunted Chocolatier shared a few images of the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier. You can see them below:

That’s everything we currently know about Haunted Chocolatier. As more information is made available, we’ll be sure to update you right here at Dexerto. In the meantime, check out our hubs on other upcoming games like GTA 6 and Hollow Knight Silksong.