Eric Barone, the creator of the popular game Stardew Valley, recently clarified his stance on the commercial benefits derived from various game collaborations. Following the announcement of Stardew Valley`s partnership with Infinity Nikki, many might have assumed Barone earns significant revenue from such projects. However, the developer emphasized that he does not receive financial compensation for these crossovers, and this is a conscious decision on his part.
In a social media statement (as quoted by PC Gamer), Barone explained: “To be clear, I never receive any money from these collabs. I`ve only done them because I was a fan of the other games, or because I genuinely thought the players would like it.” Responding to fan comments suggesting he should profit more, Barone stated, “It`s okay, I`ve made enough from sales of the game.”
Most previous Stardew Valley collaborations have been one-sided, with Stardew Valley content being integrated into other titles, such as Balatro. The sole exception was a full reciprocal collaboration with Terraria, which Barone fondly recalled: “It was great. I love Terraria.”
To date, Stardew Valley has sold over 40 million copies. Although the game typically sells for $15, it has frequently been offered at a discount. Given that Barone is the sole developer, the sales have undoubtedly brought him a substantial fortune.
Despite not receiving direct financial compensation for collaborations, they undeniably contribute to increasing the visibility of both Stardew Valley and Eric Barone himself.
Currently, Barone is focused on developing his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, where players will manage a confectionery and interact with both people and ghosts. The release date for this new title has not yet been announced.