Eric Barone, better known as ConcernedApe, has shared a new screenshot from his upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier, offering fans their first significant update on the title in years.
Barone posted the image on social media on, showing a character standing beside a river, flanked by forested areas. A large treehouse, hollowed out to create a living space, is prominently featured in the scene. The screenshot also accompanied the game’s logo, confirming its connection to Haunted Chocolatier.
— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) August 26, 2025
This marks the most substantial update since the game’s original reveal, with previous images only available on its official website. While the new screenshot highlights a refined art style, it retains clear similarities to Stardew Valley, the title that made Barone a household name in the gaming community.
Reports suggest the visuals display an evolution of Barone’s work, with stylistic adjustments that set it apart from his earlier project.
Despite renewed attention, the image does not indicate that a release is imminent. Barone has previously stated that Haunted Chocolatier will take considerable time to complete.
In interviews and podcasts, he explained that the game’s development could extend up to ten years, placing a potential release before 2030.
It has now been five years since Barone confirmed he had started development, and he has reiterated that the project requires extensive work before it is ready.
For fans of Stardew Valley, which continues to enjoy record-breaking success years after launch, the long wait for Haunted Chocolatier appears set to continue.
The new screenshot signals that development remains active, but players should not expect a release announcement in the near future.
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