Indie games are video games created by small teams or even a single person. While most indies focus on creativity, unique gameplay, and personal vision, they often lack the support and financial backing of large studios. That is why it is difficult for such projects to gain traction and achieve triumph, given the competition in the gaming space.
However, there is one indie title that conquered all odds — Stardew Valley. It is a low-budget video game created by Eric Barone (a.k.a. ConcernedApe) that captured the hearts of millions of players.
This article explores the journey of Eric Barone and how he created the indie sensation, Stardew Valley. It will also break down the game’s impact on players and indie developers.
The Creator and The Creation
Eric Barone is an American solo video game developer who studied computer science at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Professionally known as ConcernedApe, he is best known for creating the 2016 indie title Stardew Valley.
In particular, this is a farming and country life RPG. Its narrative follows a character who inherits a farm from his grandfather. After deciding to leave the corporate city job, he moved out and started a new life in the countryside.
The game lets players create the farm of their dreams, learn to live off the land, take part in a community, start a family, and much more.
The Making of Stardew Valley
Eric Barone started developing the game around 2011 after graduating from college. However, it was not because of the desire to enter the gaming industry. It was supposed to be only for practice to improve his skill set and build a portfolio to get a better shot at applying for jobs, which he previously struggled with.
His idea for the game came from his love of the Japanese farming simulation series Harvest Moon as a kid. Barone said this game sparked his imagination and made him fond of exploring a different world. Later on, he noticed that the game had lost its way. Plus, Eric saw that there was no other game that had the same offering. So, he used this opportunity to make one of his own that shares the same feeling but expands it in his own way. However, Barone did not want any help. He preferred working alone so he could stay in full control and follow his own vision.
Eric began with the most basic aspect, such as creating a single avatar. He had no deliberate plan whatsoever. But he ended up working on it for an average of 12 hours a day. Barone did his own tedious research, trained himself, learned pixel art, and studied the tools to find the necessary solutions to move forward. He used Visual Studio 2010, Propellerhead Reason, Paint.NET, and xTile. Eric moved from one area to another, building slices of the game. After more than four years of countless errors, adjustments, and testing, the game finally came out.
Success and Impact of Stardew Valley
The indie game from ConcernedApe quickly became a hit after its release. Players from around the world loved it, resulting in 500,000 copies sold in only two weeks. Based on recent data, it has now sold around 35 million copies. Aside from the excellent market performance, it holds the highest rating on Steam.
Eric’s work continues to inspire aspiring developers. It made an impact by showing that it is about making something that matters and feels real. The game showed the importance of prioritizing heart over hype.
A Continuing Journey
Over eight years since its launch, ConcernedApe continues to update Stardew Valley and has plans to do so as long as he feels like it is the right thing to do. He remains active and is looking forward to future projects.
The story of the solo developer who created Stardew Valley proves that one dedicated person can make an impact in the gaming world.
Note: This article gathers information and insights from sources, including BAC Education, Game Developer, GQ, and NPR, to ensure accuracy and depth.
