Stardew Valley Creator Shares Another Update About Version 1.6 Release

I doubt it will happen but it would be great if they added the capability to apply mods to console versions of stardew valley

I just want to see the option to make the player character nonbinary.

Making the famous polyamory mod an in-game option would be cool too, but I really want to see nonbinary player characters in the main game without having to resort to mods.

...I really want that next game, don't really care for Stardew Valley...T.T

Wished he would like, get a couple of more people to help out on his games or something...

Take your time, I want it to turn out amazing, and remember, they said it might not even get finished.

Also I’m going to have to get back into it, such a fun game!

@kfflscnt obviously someone would use it or else it wouldn’t be a mod, if it makes people more comfortable and means they can enjoy the game better I don’t see why not, a non Binary option is a harmless change.

@CharlieGirl That'd be awesome! (I suggest resisting responding to the troll)

@whitemage too late.

@CharlieGirl This is why we can't have nice things.

@whitemage while I slightly disagree with the other guy (I agree it's a pointless feature because it will make no difference to gameplay or story and it's a waste of his time creating it, but I disagree it'll destroy the game) having a different opinion doesn't make someone a troll.

@NinjaNicky But hasn’t @CharlieGirl already explained how the change would “make a difference” to her? And considering it’s pretty much surface level (adding a 3rd gender option), I doubt it’d be that complicated to add.

@Jprhino84 it might make it different to her personally, but still won't change the story or gameplay. Gender is selected at the start and never mentioned again. If he adds non binary, then he'll get backlash asking him to add all the other genders as well and his time is better off spent elsewhere.

@NinjaNicky it wouldn't have to be "pointless" from a gameplay perspective, the non binary character would be able to date either gender pool of dateable characters, and regarding polyamory they could date more than one character.

So it would be neither pointless from a gameplay perspective or a person's personal perspective.

I would have no problem with it. I don't see why someone would have a problem with an optional mechanic that won't effect their playthrough if they don't enable it. But yep people can have their opinions.

Also I'm not polyamorous or non binary irl but id still find it fun to play a polyamorous option. So benefits for both sides of the camp.

Whether someone thinks its something that should take priority over other options and mechanics is entirely up to them.

I will be waiting for the update and HC patiently 💪🏻 love you bro

@Sidon_ZoraPrince but you can date anyone, whether you're male or female, so it is pointless as it wouldn't change gameplay. If I only dated blondes in real life, should the developer put in options to change everyone blonde because that's my preference? If I'm a furry should they add the option for tails and pointy ears? Let's not stop at Stardew Valley, I like Tomb Raider but since I'm male, they need to add a male option instead of Lara Croft... Once you start changing a good system, you'll never please everyone.

@NinjaNicky With all due respect, now you’re just creating problems in your head as imaginary roadblocks for fulfilling a simple request. It’s fine if you personally don’t want non binary as an option (though I can’t think of a real reason why not) but don’t create an imaginary mob to rationalise it.

@NinjaNicky There is an inherent flaw in your Tomb Raider argument. It is a narrative driven franchise revolving around the experiences of a female character. Stardew Valley outright encourages you to create your own character and weave your own story. It’s completely understandable for people to want the game to give them as many potential life experiences as possible. I see no problem with it.

@NinjaNicky yeah i thought about that after commenting true you can date either regardless. Still the polyamoury perspective would have gameplay mechanics. The non binary option would be optional and take less than a day to implement if it is purely aesthetic. So again i wouldnt have a problem with it

Tomb raider isnt a simulation game that immerses a player in a world through customisation and tailored gameplay mechanics. So no you shouldn't.

When a life sim/ farm sim has a massive fan and install base and the ability financially to implement options that would improve a group of peoples enjoyment of their game then yes they absolutely should consider options that resonate with those fans on a personal level. Especially when it poses zero hinderance to anyone else's enjoyment of the game.

@Jprhino84 I don't care if he adds it to the game, I'm saying there's more important updates he could do to the game and if he starts adding these new genders, he'll have to add them all plus other things to please everyone. Should he also add a surgeon for those that want to be a trans character? I'm not saying don't add it, I'm saying it'll cause more problems if he does because there's a lot of new genders out there that would want to be included. How about instead of choosing a gender from a list, let us type in what you want to be like you do with a name?

@Sidon_ZoraPrince you can be polyamorous and date multiple people though, you just can't marry more than one which is illegal in most countries anyway.

@NinjaNicky it would take less than a day to implement if like you said it had no unique gameplay mechanics.

Polymorphism and composition allows the reuse of components. The ui already has all the components needed. All that needs to be done is a list of pronouns (if you wanted more than they/them), a drop down on the menu and an optional icon. If the dialogue needs to be changed the file reader could do it automatically.

So it literally wouldnt stop other big features being implemented. Unless you can think of a much needed gameplay mechanic concerned ape could design test and develope in a single day.

@NinjaNicky I’m not even going to lie, comparing wanting to only date blonds with wanting just a nonbinary character is ridiculous, so one might be non binary, and doesn’t feel comfortable being called he/she I feel like it’s a vary reasonable ask, they don’t have to add it, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable.

@NinjaNicky yeah but if the characters find out they hold a meeting and shun you (unless that was footage of a gameplay mod )😅 polyamory tends to be consensual between all parties. No lynching on discovery. Also cohabiting with more than one person. So theres gameplay mechanics that could be implemented for that.

Anyways concerned ape is going out of their way to make modding more accessible so anything like this can be added if people want it. So it should be a bit of a non issue for pc players. An unfortunate f for console players who wont have it in the base game.

I'm all for inclusive options because it has no effect on my experience. Whether it gets added or not is up to the developer but to argue that it's pointless and time consuming is just wrong.

@Snatcher someone else previously commented saying "When a life sim/ farm sim has a massive fan and install base and the ability financially to implement options that would improve a group of peoples enjoyment of their game then yes they absolutely should consider options that resonate with those fans on a personal level". So you're saying they're wrong? What I'm saying is, if they add non binary, they'll have to add every option imaginable to please everyone. You're saying my preferences aren't as important as other people's?? So you agree with me then...

@NinjaNicky Yeah no, adding a nonbinary option is easy, and if you want to date blonds there is already one in the game, at least you got a blond, what do they have?

And the game pretty much has every option they could have on a personal level from a character creation standpoint, legit adding a nonbinary option would make it perfect! Plus they have a lot of characters to try and fit your preferences, heck there’s finally a girl with purple hair!

@NinjaNicky they wouldn't have to add every other option but as i explained to you already it would take very little time if they did.

They literally would just need to read a list of pronouns into a drop down menu. The only thing they would have to do is make a list and read it in. They already have a file reader and the ui options they need. They could literally copy paste a list of pronouns from the internet.

Anyways i think it should be considered since the developer is updating the gamem if its implemented cool. If not i think its a shame.

@NinjaNicky Okay, you need to calm down with the whataboutisms. It’s deflection and taking away from the actual discussion.

Everyone else is talking about a very simple change that changes nothing for people who don’t want to use it. You responding with “and next they’ll be demanding surgeons!” is absurd and a bad faith, slippery slope fallacy.

Hey look! This singular individual is not only encouraging mods but actually working to make it easier! Sure wish a certain company would follow his example...

@Jprhino84 it's not a deflection, I'm saying the developer won't add things like that because he'd get backlash about leaving other things out. Why shouldn't they add surgeons? Are you saying you want non binary options but trans people aren't as important?? You're saying the same as me, except I say add non binary along with every preference imaginable. Sorry for wanting to include EVERYONE.

As I said in a previous comment (might help if you read them) the only way it'll work is if you just type in what you want to be instead of choosing from a list.

@NinjaNicky Wait, hang on. Don’t try to turn this on me as if I’m some kind of bigot. That’s outright insulting.

This all started because you said that non-binary options shouldn’t be added because they’d be pointless. When that was disputed, you said it would be too time consuming. When people didn’t buy that, you invented a mob that would demand more and more exaggerated features. You’re playing word games and constantly moving goalposts.

I’m a physically disabled person who was previously married to (and is still close friends with) a gender-fluid pansexual. I can assure you that I couldn’t be more in favour of inclusion if I tried.

@Jprhino84 it would be pointless because (as previously stated) he'd have to include everyone. Shall we add conjoined twins? What about amputees? Shall we add blind people with a cane? Should we then start including people with cancer? What about adding STIs for those that date multiple characters? I'm not saying don'tadd new things, I'm saying either leave it as is, or include everyone. After all, it is a "simulation game".

This comment section went sideways quickly. Anyway is this just for PC modding or are there console mods? I wonder what the other additions are.

@NinjaNicky Okay, let me explain my problem with what you’re saying. My issue is that you’re being slippery with words.

“I’m actually all for inclusion! So much so that if we can’t include absolutely everyone, we shouldn’t try to include anyone else at all! See? Now nobody can get mad! I’m so inclusive!”

The issue is, all @CharlieGirl asked for was a non-binary option. The rest are roadblocks you’ve imagined just to tell them why they shouldn’t get their request. It’s odd.

@Gofixmeaplate Sony would probably only allow it if the mods are paid, if we're even lucky enough to get mods on PlayStation in the first place.
Nintendo would straight up not allow mods.
The only company allowing mods on consoles outright currently is Microsoft. And even then, most of them are paid mods.

@NinjaNicky What you’re missing here is that it would be extremely easy to add (add a third gender button, change the way gender is saved from a boolean to a integer, and spend a couple days changing pronouns and gendered language in the script. Hell, literally just merge a pre-existing mod that’s already done all the work. It could take a couple days of minimal effort.) and it would make a lot of people happy. Yes, a lot. The things you are propping up as necessary once we go down the “slippery slope” would either be extremely challenging to implement as the game is now, make very few people happy, just don’t match with the vision of the game, or some combination of the three. Those things are for mods because they are for people who want specific things that are not worth ConcernedApe’s development time, which is exactly why he is improving mod support. He recognizes those wants and is putting work towards making them possible. All we are wishing for is that he add something easy, would fit with the gender-ignoring and inclusive vibes of the game, and would make a lot of people happy. No more than that.

@Jprhino84 so again, you're all for non binary but not trans, furry or anything else? I'm saying include everyone by having a option to type what you want to play as, but if we start listing the many identities that people come up with, the list will be too long and the developer will be spending all his time on that instead of updates that actually change the gameplay etc.

@LinkdAether which is why I said let us type in what we want to be instead of having to choose. Like you're filling out a form. Instead of 3 options, let us type in our identity

@NinjaNicky Stop trying to put words in my mouth, please. It’s disingenuous. I am 100% for the inclusion of everyone. I thought I’d made that clear by now. What I find odd is that you’ve somehow decided that not everyone can be included (which is pure speculation on your part, quite frankly) therefore no attempts should be made by the developer to improve inclusion. Your logic doesn’t make sense. That’s all I’m saying.

@NinjaNicky They already have a character creator, that lets you mix and match at least to my knowledge, whatever you want regardless of gender.

@NinjaNicky You do not understand what any of this means, functionally. Gender matters in Stardew Valley. It determines your pronouns and some gendered dialogue. It would be impossible to create a function in the game as it is where you simply type in your gender. 3 is fine, because, guess what, non-binary is an umbrella term! There’s a reason we’re asking specially for that instead of agender or demiboy or bi-gender or whatever else. It’s typically represented by “they/them” and Stardew doesn’t have they/them pronoun options yet. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be called non-binary! Male and female aren’t called that in-game, to my knowledge (save data has a true/false to save if you’re specifically male, which isn’t great, but I’m literally suggesting that he change that.) In the end, what actually matters is the expression of gender. 80 or so percent of the target audience has been fully and entirely fulfilled by he/him and she/her pronouns (including some of those “other genders” you like to wave around like a battle flag). Why not add they/them in a couple days and get to 99.9%?

And to answer your response to the other person, you need to yet again understand the concept of cost/benefit analysis. There are a lot of people asking for they/them pronouns. It would be extremely easy to implement. There is nobody seriously asking ConcernedApe to add furry representation to Stardew. It would be hard to implement. Do you get it? The developers have the ability to make decisions based on cost/benefit analysis. Our stance is that the benefits far outweigh the cost, and a lot of people seem to understand this concept… except you.

@LinkdAether you wouldnt even need to manually change text. Just read in the text file, replace the orginal pronouns and save the new pronouns in their place then save it as a version of that text file. It would be a couple lines of code. Alternatively you could use the same dialogue and have the code place in the pronouns based on the players chosen pronouns. Its really not complex or time consuming at all.

I find the whole gender debate here kind of interesting.

If I were a developer, I would maybe include a third "other" option, as mentioned, but ignore everything else. It's just impossible to please everyone.

What confuses me though, why so many non binary people (apparently it is a lot, judging by what you read online, not just here) have problems imagining themselves as another gender.
I mean, I am male and I have no problem playing as the opposite gender. A lot of people do play as the opposite gender if they have choice.
If Stardew Valley didn't have the option to play as a man, then that just wouldn't concern me... I also doubt it would be that much of a topic.

Why this is even a topic of discussion, when it comes to non binary people is interesting to think about to me.

My main ideas are, that either quite a few men and women actually think this is important, while the target audience widely doesn't actually care.
Or wanting to be included (even just as an option in a game) is becoming more and more psychologically connected to being accepted.

And before anyone misunderstands me: I am mainly talking about games here.

@Kirgo I personally love playing as the opposite of my gender, i like feeling like a completely different character, some people however like playing as themselves sometimes, and if a game that already provides that option with the character creator and the the genders, why not add it as an option. And some people like to create a different character for role play reasons.

He can take all the time he needs, I'll still put hundreds of hours into Stardew and HC when it comes out. If he's working on built in mod support kind of like how Bethesda games are that would be really cool, just hope console players get to use mods too!

I hope the Switch gets access to the mods, would love to see what all the fuss is about with the Expanded mod. Any mod that builds on the game is fine by me

@NinjaNicky Absolutely none of your arguments are being made in good faith, and are drenched in obvious whataboutism. Please calm down.

I just want to see a nonbinary gender option for players in the base game, which really isn't a big deal.

@Kirgo I think you’ve kind of stumbled upon answering your own question. I’m sure many non-binary people do play as male or female. But many people understand that broadening choice in games like this is never a bad thing. I think it’s simply about expressing yourself in a medium you enjoy.

@NinjaNicky is saying that sure it may not be a difficult thing to add in principle, but it could become a slippery slope that leads that leads to people being offended that their preferred life experiences are not included and says nothing of concernedapes personal beliefs on the matter I'm sure that whether or not it's included isn't likely to be the end of the world but saying just because that every life sim that included dating options is some sort of moral imperative is just as ludicrous as someone saying there should only be two gender options in the game because that is their lived experience and personal preference he's essentially saying you can't please everyone so you have to strike a balance that may include a non-binary option and may not but saying it is a simple request, ignores the fact that there are many perspectives on the matter and how does a simple request go from wanting one simple request to an angry mob of people asking for everything under the sun not wanting to purchase or play the get of their preferences are not reflected. Raising questions about something that could arise doesn't mean you are against being inclusive, it's just saying it is that striking the balance between having an experience that satisfy the most people while turning off as few people as possible may mean leaving se things out because of what others may feel needs to be included. Just saying that how do you strike the balance between being inclusive as possible without dealing with the backlash from people who may otherwise not care but by including this one simple thing, why can't this specific thing I want not be included if you can do this when it's just as simple to add and would make me feel equally as comfortable as having a non-binary option would for @charliegirl

@Jprhino84 @Snatcher
Sure, more choice is usually a good thing. This is without a doubt true in this case as well. Because of that, I don't really question why someone would want one more option. I can understand @CharlieGirl completely in that regard.

But for years now, I can see people asking not simply for more options, but for very specific options even when those don't do much for the game. It's not "I want more gender options", it is "I want my gender option", even when it doesn't do anything anyway, apart from changing a few words.

Maybe I am wrong about this, but it seems to me like very few people care about that between just male and female. You could remove one option entirely, if nothing else changes because of it.
When it comes to a third gender, whichever one, the right pronouns for a game character suddenly become important, even if there is nothing else that changes.

It is different from having more romance choices between all genders. That actually changes some things and I can see how someone really wants that.

I am concerned that super successful developer Concerned Ape seems unable to let his babies go. He needs to hire people to handle some of these tasks. Dude, yer rich now go have some fun.

@Kirgo well unless the game has one protagonist, with there own character, there’s no point in needing one, but if a game lets you make your own character anyway, i don’t see no reason why all the options shouldn’t be there, it won’t effect anyone whatsoever and then everyone is happy!
Plus, I don’t think it should be hard to add a nonbinary option, because all you have to do is replace the he/she, and if you already went through all the trouble to add he and she, why not they them, you know?

@Snatcher
I am not talking about "why not?" though.

I just find it strange why people care so much.
You yourself are saying that it's just changing a few words.
But that is exactly the part that I don't really get. How can something like that make anyone happy?
It's just words applied to a fictional person.

My question is more on a psychological level.

@CharlieGirl here's to hoping haunted chocolatier makes that official out of the box

@Kirgo It makes people happy because it allows them to express themselves.

If I may use a personal example, I am physically disabled and use a wheelchair. It doesn’t bother me to play as able bodied characters but I feel acknowledged on the rare occasions when a wheelchair is an option. And when you boil that request down, it wouldn’t change much in most games either.

@Kirgo You're too reasonable. Quit trying to understand that whole thing and keep your sanity.

@NinjaNicky It's clear though that a nonbinary option isn't a waste of time, given that nearly every modern farming sim now has started to include it in the base game. Clearly, to Stardew's competitors, it isn't a waste of time, and if they're including it, it's somehow been deemed profitable.

@Kirgo I mean, this is a slippery slope argument. It's why they didn't have female options for a while: the logic was that women playing was such a small player base, and the few women playing those games could just imagine themselves playing as a guy. But once they included female options, it was clear that a large demographic of farming sims were actually women. Sure, nonbinary people could pick male or female and just play like that. That's what they're already doing because they don't have the option. But if you look at the download rates of nonbinary mods, and actually talk to nonbinary people who play games like Stardew, it's clear that they would prefer to be able to choose to be nonbinary in game.

@Kirgo Well, the Answer to that question is, that It makes people happy, that’s it, there’s not much too it, it makes people happy, and give people more options, to have a better time with the game they enjoyed

I really don’t feel like jumping into the non-binary debate. Personally, I’d just love to have another cellar/larger space to run my vineyard and winery.

@CharlieGirl perhaps requesting the option for the new game? No clue how much code would need to be changed in the old game (modders would have a better idea). But if enough request it, might could happen.