Haunted Chocolatier Release Date (Expected) - Story,

What’s the release date for Haunted Chocolatier? Haunted Chocolatier is the upcoming game from Eric Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley. The game’s release date is already on the minds of players who are curious to see what Barone has in store this time around.

The game is an RPG/simulation title that shares some similarities with its predecessor. However, instead of focusing on farming, Haunted Chocolatier takes a different approach, featuring a theme of “magical haunted ghost chocolate.” In this article, we’ll discuss everything we know about the game, including its release date, gameplay, story, and more.

Haunted Chocolatier Release Date

Haunted Chocolatier does not currently have a release date and developer ConcernedApe notes that ” it will be a while before this game is done.” We don’t expect to see it until at least 2026, but it could be even later than this if we’re honest.

Work on the title began in 2020 and, as of its announcement in October 2021, it is still “relatively early in development.”

In late 2021, the developer shared two additional screenshots while noting that work on the game’s core elements continues.

In April 2023, the developer confirmed that he would be taking a break from developing Haunted Chocolatier to prioritize Stardew Valley’s update 1.6.

As work on the update continued, a new screenshot depicting a character resembling a wizard was shared, albeit without any new details about a potential release date.

On the 30th August, the developer ConcernedApe posted an update on X confirming that he hasn’t been able to touch Haunted Chocolatier for a long time because they’re “committed to finalizing Stardew 1.6 first.”

After Patch 1.6 was released, Barone confirmed that development would shift entirely to Haunted Chocolatier and that Stardew Valley would not receive further updates until Chocolatier’s launch.

However, on September 3, 2025, this decision changed. Patch 1.7 for Stardew Valley is now in development, though Barone has stated it shouldn’t significantly impact progress on Haunted Chocolatier, since a separate team is helping with the update.

Estimated Release Date: 2026

Haunted Chocolatier Story

In Haunted Chocolatier, you play as a chocolatier living in a haunted castle, having to gather rare ingredients and use them in various chocolate recipes, which you then sell in your chocolate shop. As you can tell, there’s a bit more chocolate involved than in Stardew Valley.

“Chocolate represents that which is delightful. The haunted castle represents the allure of the unknown. The ghosts represent the imprint of the past. All of these things are important. However, don’t think for a moment that, because this game features ghosts in a haunted castle, it is an evil or negative game,” the developer wrote in the post announcing the game.

“On the contrary, I intend for this game to be positive, uplifting and life-affirming. However, if Stardew Valley mostly channeled the sun’s energy, Haunted Chocolatier channels the moon’s energy. Both are vital.”

Haunted Chocolatier is also confirmed to include references to Stardew Valley, but Barone hasn’t decided yet “how deep the connection will be exactly.”

Haunted Chocolatier Gameplay

Haunted Chocolatier’s gameplay will feature familiar elements, like moving into a new town, interacting with the townsfolk, and rebuilding your life around a new trade. At the same time, “the core gameplay and theming are quite a bit different,” according to the developer. “Haunted Chocolatier is more of an action RPG compared to Stardew Valley. And instead of a farm being the focal point of your endeavors, it’s a chocolate shop.”

The gameplay trailer found below showcases some of its exploration, crafting, gathering, and combat, all rendered using pixel art that should feel quite familiar to anyone who’s played ConcernedApe’s previous game. Currently, there are no plans to include a multiplayer component.

“Almost everything” in Haunted Chocolatier is built from scratch, according to the developer. The game focuses more on combat than its predecessors and players can use shields to block attacks, sometimes stunning the opponent, in turn allowing them to attack faster.

You won’t have to rely on this strategy alone, though, and there will be other off-hand items to use, catering to different playstyles.

On October 4, 2023, a set of four screenshots depicting both interior and exterior locations was shared.

One of the images shows a character using a bow and arrow to attack a plantlike enemy that looks very surprised by the whole endeavor.

Haunted Chocolatier System Requirements

There’s no word on Haunted Chocolatier’s system requirements just yet. Given its pixel art visuals, we don’t expect it to require cutting-edge hardware, but we’ll know for sure closer to launch.

Where can I buy Haunted Chocolatier and how much will it cost?

The price of “Haunted Chocolatier” is currently shrouded in mystery, much like a thick layer of ghostly chocolate. The developer has confirmed that the game will initially be released on PC and has “every intention of bringing it to other major platforms as well.” Upon release, the game will match the same price as “Stardew Valley” at £10.99.