10 Video Game Developers Who Genuinely Care About Their Fans
2. Concernedape (Eric Barone) - Stardew Valley
Concernedape, better known as Eric Barone, single-handedly created one of the best games of the decade in wholesome life simulator Stardew Valley. From the art to the writing to the music, Barone worked tirelessly over five years to create a truly wonderful game. But he didn't stop after its release.
Since Stardew Valley's release in 2016, Barone has added a whole host of game-enhancing features for no added cost to his beloved fan base. From multiplayer modes through to new farm buildings, Barone has continued to nurture the game he created and expanded it beyond players' imaginations. But it is not only in his game has he nurtured the fanbase.
Barone's transparency is what makes him a true character. When Stardew publisher Chucklefish was caught up in scandal late 2019, Barone was quick to release a statement regarding his relationship with the company and their involvement with Stardew and other Concernedape projects. He even goes beyond this, taking the time to reply to fans about their questions or even the quality of their radishes (always iridium grade).
In January 2020, Stardew Valley had officially sold over 10 million units. Barone took to Twitter to thank his fans with absolute sincerity. Barone deserved credit not only for his wholesome game, but for being wholesome himself.