When Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone confirmed that Stardew Valley was getting another update, it felt like lightning striking twice. After all, version 1.6 had been marketed as the game’s final major chapter before Barone shifted his full attention toward Haunted Chocolatier. The surprise reveal of 1.7 has sent waves through the community, sparking excitement and speculation about what could possibly come next for a game that has already redefined what indie life sims can be.
That’s the thing about Stardew Valley—no matter how many hours players pour into it, the game always leaves room for one more update, one more farm, one more dream of what Pelican Town could become. It’s part of why the announcement of 1.7 has felt like an open invitation to imagine what’s still possible. With no concrete details yet, fans are filling the gap with their own wish lists, ranging from minor tweaks to ambitious new systems.
Below is a breakdown of the features that some fans are most excited to see in 1.7. While none of this is confirmed, it’s a window into how the community still sees Stardew Valley not as a finished story, but as a living, breathing world that could grow just a little more.
Jumping Into Stardew Valley With PlayStation Plus? Don't Forget These Unwritten Rules
PlayStation Plus players joining in the Stardew Valley fun should remember these unwritten rules to make the most out of their time in Pelican Town.
Quality-of-Life Wish List for Stardew Valley Update 1.7
With Stardew Valley getting a new update, even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact for many players. These quality-of-life improvements wouldn’t transform Stardew Valley into a completely new game, but they would make everyday farming feel smoother and more rewarding.
A Bigger Backpack (and Bigger Storage)
If there’s one constant in Stardew Valley, it’s that a backpack never seems to have enough room. Even after both upgrades, farmers are forever juggling fish, crops, minerals, and tools in a desperate attempt to avoid leaving treasures behind. Stardew Valley Update 1.6 introduced a clever solution with the new storage chests, but the most requested fix remains a third, final backpack upgrade. Just a few extra slots could relieve some of the constant inventory stress and make long mining or fishing trips far more satisfying.
Cross-Platform Play
This might be the most ambitious of the wishlist items, but it’s one that would fundamentally reshape multiplayer. Right now, Stardew Valley’s multiplayer co-op mode works beautifully, but only if players and their friends happen to be on the same system. Opening the door to cross-platform play, even just between PC and console, would dramatically expand the farming community. It’s not a small ask, but it'd be worth the trouble.
More Recipes to Cook
Cooking in Stardew Valley has always been a fun distraction , but compared to farming, fishing, and even foraging, it feels a tad underdeveloped. A wider variety of recipes would give players more reasons to collect ingredients and spend time in the kitchen. New dishes could even add unique buffs, giving the mechanic a stronger tie-in to daily farming or dungeon crawling. It’s a small change that could make the farmhouse feel more like a proper home.
More Starting Farm Options
The best farm layout in Stardew Valley starts even before a player arrives at Pelican Town. Choosing a farm starter is one of the most important decisions at the start of any playthrough, and while the current options cover a wide range of playstyles, long-time fans have already seen it all. Another set of layouts would be the perfect excuse for veterans to start over one more time. As a game built around replayability, fresh starting conditions in 1.7 could give Stardew Valley endless staying power.
This Stardew Valley Flower Dance Festival Strategy is Virtually Unbeatable
While the Flower Dance is exclusive for most Stardew Valley players seeking romance, this strategy will make anyone the belle or beau of the ball.
New Content Wishes for Stardew Valley’s 1.7 Update
Beyond small quality-of-life tweaks, there’s also hope for broader content expansions that would breathe new life into Pelican Town and beyond. These are the changes that could deepen relationships, add more customization, and extend the late game in meaningful ways.
Expanded Child Content
Marriage in Stardew Valley can be fulfilling, but family life frankly isn’t. Children remain one of the least interactive aspects of the game. After reaching the toddler stage, they largely stop developing, leaving many players wishing for more personality or meaningful growth. Expanding child content doesn’t mean putting kids to work on the farm; it could simply mean giving them dialogue, milestones, quests, or interactions that make family life feel like a real part of the town.
Expanded NPC Interactions
Pelican Town is full of memorable characters, but some remain frustratingly shallow. Figures like Marlon and Gil are essential to the Adventurer’s Guild in Stardew Valley, yet they don’t offer much beyond a few lines of dialogue. Fans have long dreamed of being able to give them gifts, earn heart events, or learn more about their pasts. Deepening these relationships could turn overlooked NPCs into fan favorites overnight.
Player Birthdays
Few mechanics define Stardew Valley as much as celebrating villagers’ birthdays. Remembering these dates is one of the best ways to strengthen friendships with Stardew Valley NPCs, but strangely, the player character doesn’t get the same treatment. Adding player birthdays would be a charming way to make Pelican Town feel more responsive. If villagers surprise the player with gifts, parties, or even small cutscenes, tiny moments like that could make the player feel like part of the community in a whole new way.
Different Colored Horses
Customization has always been one of Stardew Valley’s greatest strengths, and yet, horses have remained visually static since their introduction. Adding different colors, breeds, or even accessories could give players one more way to make their farm feel like their own. It’s not a feature that would revolutionize gameplay, but like painting the farmhouse, it would make daily life a little more personal.
Ginger Island Upgrades
When Ginger Island was first introduced, it was a revelation: a vibrant new location that expanded Stardew Valley beyond the town’s borders. But as time has gone on, some players have wished for even more reasons to return. Adding new structures, crops, or even the ability to bring a spouse along could help the island feel less like a vacation spot and more like an integrated part of the farm. It’s an area ripe for further development, and 1.7 could be the perfect opportunity.
Revitalizing the Community Center
Completing the Community Center in Stardew Valley remains one of the most rewarding milestones in the game, but once it’s restored, its role in daily life becomes limited. Some fans have suggested adding recurring events, seasonal festivals, or even tying in the long-requested player birthday mechanic. The Community Center is the heart of Pelican Town; giving it an ongoing purpose would keep that heart beating long after the bundles are finished.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
