Skip to main content

Major 'Stardew Valley' update adds new maps, buildings, and divorce options

next stardew valley update allows players to get digitally divorced stardew11
Indie developer ConcernedApe charts a number of major changes and additions coming to its farmlife simulation game Stardew Valley with its next update, including new starting farms, construction options, and marriage candidates.

Returning farmers who have grown tired of their in-game marriages will also be able to annul their vows in the next update, making Stardew Valley one of the very few video games that allows players to file for virtual divorce.

Released earlier this year for Windows PCs, Stardew Valley is a farming simulation RPG that takes its gameplay cues from Natsume’s Harvest Moon series. Challenging players to restore a dilapidated farm to its former glory, Stardew Valley allows virtual farmers to raise livestock, befriend townsfolk, and eventually marry one of several available bachelors or bachelorettes over the course of their agricultural journey.

After installing Stardew Valley‘s next patch, players will be able to choose their starting farm, giving them a greater number of options at the game’s outset. Fans of Stardew Valley‘s fishing mechanics, for instance, will want to check out the new Riverland Farm, which features a number of lakes and rivers filled with aquatic wildlife.

The new Forest Farm offers more foraging opportunities, while the Hill-top Farm lets players focus on mining valuable ores. Players looking for a challenge will want to try their luck with the new Wilderness Farm, which spawns dangerous creatures like bats and golems when night falls.

Marriage is another central mechanic in Stardew Valley, and players will be able to date villagers Shane and Emily starting with the next update. In-game spouses will also offer additional in-game events and bonuses as an incentive for pursuing marriage, while players who have grown distant from their virtual wives and husbands will soon be able to file for divorce.

Other features premiering in Stardew Valley‘s next update include new shed and mill buildings, new locations and warp totems, and a new quest arc that adds magical construction options when completed. Hardcore players who complete the “Journey of the Prairie King” storyline will also be given the option to reattempt the quest at a higher difficulty level while retaining their previously earned coins and upgrades.

Stardew Valley players can get an early look at the upcoming patch’s new features and improvements by signing up for its beta branch via Steam. A public release date for Stardew Valley version 1.1 is not yet known.

Danny Cowan
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
How to make money in Stardew Valley
DT's Favorite Games of 2016

Making money in Stardew Valley is simple. Regardless of what you're doing, the game does a great job of rewarding you for your time. Growing crops, fishing, and even foraging for wild plants can land you with a bit of cash.

However, some activities are much more lucrative than others. While foraging might offer a fun and easy way to explore the world and run into your fellow citizens of Pelican Town, it's probably not the fastest way to riches. Taking care of animals and growing a massive roster of chickens and cows isn't usually worth the hassle, either. If you're interested in getting rich as fast as possible, here's what you should be doing in Stardew Valley.

Read more
Stardew Valley tips, tricks, and Easter eggs
Stardew Valley

There are more than a few differences between farming in real life and in a game like Stardew Valley, but one thing they both have in common is a learning curve. You can't expect to pick up a hoe and watering can, digital or otherwise, and turn any old plot of dirt into a thriving farm without any knowledge or experience. Even if you've played other games in the farming and life sim genre, such as Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing: New Horizon, each one has its own quirks and systems that you will need to learn to really get the most out of your digital life.

Whether you're completely new to the farming life, or just need to brush up on the basics, here are some essential tips, tricks, and a couple of fun Easter eggs to help you get the most out of your experience in Stardew Valley.

Read more
Everything we know about Stardew Valley cross-platform support
Stardew Valley Multiplayer Fishing

For a game made by just one person, Stardew Valley has seen more success than most games made by dozens, or even hundreds, of people could ever hope to achieve. Even over the four-plus years since it came out, the game has been updated with new features and content on a fairly regular basis to keep people coming back. This includes an online multiplayer component, allowing you and up to three friends to hang out on each other's farms, ports to all modern systems, and the massive 1.5 update, which introduced new locations, events, minigames, puzzles, quests, and tons more to discover.

With all this love and care shown to Stardew Valley over the years, the recent trend of games allowing players on different platforms to play together seems like a natural fit, and yet it still remains a mystery to some. Here's everything we know about cross-platform support in Stardew Valley.

Read more