As fans continue to wait patiently for more news on Haunted Chocolatier, developer ConcernedApe’s next major title, many are turning back to Stardew Valley to soak in every last update the beloved farming sim has to offer. From its silent whimsy to how it redefined the gold standard in the farming sim genre, Stardew Valley has set a high bar for Haunted Chocolatier to follow. Most importantly, it has set a blueprint—from how to deliver an excellent gaming experience to the systems it should move on from. And in doing so, players may have stumbled upon something rather unexpected: a better way to do festivals.
SquidFest may appear to be a minor event on an otherwise busy calendar in Stardew Valley, but its design choices could make it a standout example of how in-game festivals should function. Rather than shutting down the entire town and halting player progress for the duration of an event, SquidFest embraces immersion without disrupting the game’s rhythm. It’s a subtle shift, but one that feels perfectly aligned with what Haunted Chocolatier could evolve into, especially given its promise of eerie, whimsical, and interactive town life.
Related
Why Haunted Chocolatier’s Map Should Shoot for the Moon in its Scope
ConcernedApe has already confirmed key differences between Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier, but the game’s map should be different as well.
Stardew Valley’s SquidFest Is Small, But Practical
haunte
SquidFest isn’t one of Stardew Valley‘s flashiest festivals. There’s no town-wide lighting ceremony or elaborate set-piece games. Instead, it’s a more grounded event in the middle of Winter that still feels lively. When comparing Stardew Valley festivals, though, SquidFest stands out for its twists. The twists are that shops remain open during SquidFest, homes are accessible, and the daily responsibilities players have, like feeding animals, don’t magically disappear. This makes SquidFest feel less like a forced break from the game’s world and more like something integrated into it. It’s a typical day in Pelican Town, just one with a little more flavor.
For veteran players, this is a much-needed refresh. Most Stardew Valley festivals are charming, but they interrupt the routine that the player has carefully curated. Entire days are often lost to events, locking out basic actions such as shopping or earning money from crops. SquidFest sidesteps that problem, blending celebration and routine in a way that feels more realistic—and more satisfying.
Haunted Chocolatier Could Take This Practicality Even Further
Haunted Chocolatier remains shrouded in mystery, but everything revealed so far suggests a game where community engagement is just as important as shopkeeping and exploration. The idea of hosting or attending festivals in this new world seems inevitable, but how those festivals function is another question entirely.
Instead of pulling players away from their chocolate shop, festivals in Haunted Chocolatier could happen around the player. Town events could bring in increased foot traffic, unique customer dialogue, limited-time ingredients, or special plot beats for romances. Better yet, players might be invited to contribute to the festivities through their own shops, offering special delicacies during celebrations and reaping rewards from them. That kind of immersive approach aligns perfectly with the lessons of SquidFest: the most impactful events don’t have to remove players from their routines; they can fold into them seamlessly, enhancing the experience rather than halting it.
A Different Kind of Seasonal Rhythm
If Haunted Chocolatier draws from SquidFest’s structure, it could open up a much richer seasonal rhythm. Rather than locking content behind specific dates or making players plan entire weeks around major events, town celebrations could appear more frequently and organically. From mini-market days and full-moon fairs to secret midnight meetups for paranormal romances in Haunted Chocolatier, all festivals and mini-festivals should be accessible without being disruptive.
In Stardew Valley, many festivals are one-time, all-or-nothing commitments. However, in ConcernedApe’s new project, where mystery and atmosphere are likely to be at the forefront, Haunted Chocolatier’s unique holidays and festivals can lean into that thematic world-building. But these don’t need to monopolize the player’s day; they can run parallel to it.
A Festival Blueprint That Actually Works
One of the most common frustrations with Stardew Valley’s traditional festivals is how much they interrupt the daily flow of farm life. Players can lose out on an entire day’s income, miss a key window to build a relationship with a villager, or find themselves unable to buy seeds for empty plots, halting progress for no good reason. Festivals are charming, sure, but they often come at the cost of momentum.
While Stardew Valley‘s big events still hold charm, SquidFest has given players a taste of something more modern: festival design that respects the flow of daily life. It’s a smart evolution that Haunted Chocolatier should take to heart. As ConcernedApe crafts its next cozy but spooky world, there’s a clear opportunity to let players stay immersed in the routines they build while still feeling part of something festive. If Haunted Chocolatier succeeds in blending the best of Stardew Valley’s charm with SquidFest’s practical pacing, it may very well redefine how life-sim festivals are handled for years to come.