ConcernedApe surprise released the new 1.5 update for PC. The new update packs tons of new features especially for the late game. It makes Stardew Valley once again just this much more refined and enjoyable.
Today Eric announced that the update will be coming to Nintendo Switch and other consoles such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in early 2021. He said on this blog “the 1.5 content update. It’s available right now on PC, and will come to consoles early next year. Mobile should follow later, but there’s no timeline yet.”
Update 1.5 will also introduce a brand new region called Ginger Island, open for you to explore. The new island will not only be pretty top the eye it actually pack tons of gameplay features.
On Ginger Island you can explore a whole new location, take part in events, mini games, puzzles and an entirely new quest line.
To showcase just how big this free update is, I attached the full patch notes for the Stardew Valley 1.5 Update below.
If you’re considering starting a new save file for this update, there’s a few new character creation options:
To play splitscreen, build a cabin (from Robin’s) for up to 3 other players who will be joining (if you’re starting a new game, you can also select to have cabins already placed at the beginning in the advanced game options menu). Once the cabins are there, open your game menu, scroll down to multiplayer, and select “Start local co-op”. The other players can now join by pressing start on a controller connected to the PC. Please see the options tab in the game menu to adjust the zoom level and UI zoom level to a setting that works well for you. Otherwise, split screen works exactly the same as online multiplayer.
Changelog
New world area
1.5 adds an entire new region of the world, Ginger Island (part of the Fern Islands):
New farm features
Other new content and features
Quality of life changes
Balance changes
Multiplayer changes
Interaction changes
Other changes
Fixes for multiplayer
Fixes for player interaction
Fixes for visual or cosmetic issues
Other bug fixes
source: Official Stardew Valley Blog
Animal Crossing New Horizons has been available for some time now but the popularity of the game hasn’t gone down a bit. Nintendo has released frequent updates for the game and the Halloween event featuring no other than Jack has already been announced.
One thing that many players have been asking for is Brewster. Especially if you played some of the older installments such as New Leaf in which Brewster opened a coffee shop in your town where you could even work some shifts if you so desired.
Brewsters’ coffee shop in New Leaf was a hot spot for villagers and players alike. There was something so relaxing and fun about paying Brewster a visit and having a coffee you could even take to go and run around your town.
In addition working at the coffee shop required you to make a coffee for villagers and guess exactly what they would like to drink based on the conversations you have with them.
While Nintendo has not confirmed the reappearance of Brewster it is almost safe to assume that he will come back in one form or another. Now for the first time villagers randomly start talking about Brewster. Some players who found themselves playing late at night have islanders tell them about their encounters with Brewster.
Clay, a villager in the game mentioned “I’m still wide awake! I guess Brewster was right! 17 cups of coffee is 3 too many!”. This wouldn’t be the first time Nintendo teases upcoming features in the game. The appearances of villagers teasing Brewster has recently become more frequent with more players posting their encounters online.
New Horizons marks a new beginning for the franchise with updates frequently made available and Holiday events delivered through online updates.
Nintendo is planning to update the game for at least three more years to come and there are plenty of features such as vegetable farming and cooking already found in the code of the game.
Personally I would love to have Brewster return to Animal Crossing. I am very much looking forward to be placing more shops on my island in addition to the Able Sisters and Nook’s Cranny. After all in New Leaf we had a full shopping street and even more shops spread throughout the town. Always keep in mind that nothing is confirmed until Nintendo reveals the next update.
There is no shortage of Animal Crossing New Horizons Merchandise, the problem always is to get a hold of it in the west. Thanks to Aitai Kuji we now have access to some adorable Nintendo Switch covers, game cases and just so much more!
A few days ago I talked about these adorable Animal Crossing New Horizons themed Switch Flip covers and adorable game case where you can store your ACNH cartridge in. Unforutenly the website offering the items was only in Japanese and items sold out quick!
Aitai Kuji offers affordable shipping to the US, a website in English and is now accepting pre-orders for some of the most adorable Animal Crossing New Horizons Merchandise!
Among the items are these adorable Switch protective cases that come in various designs and even include a sticker sheet!
These game cases can hold your game cartridges and come also in multiple adorable designs featuring lovely characters such as Isabelle, Timmy and Tommy and no other than K.K. Slider!
If you want to check out the huge Animal Crossing collection on Aitai Kuji including an unbelievably cute teapot, pour over coffee pot and Isabelle Alarm clock – head over here.
If you missed some of the latest announcements, make sure you get caught up on everything Animal Crossing New Horizons including some amazingly adorable new manmade AC Nintendo Switch Editions in my dedicated AC section!
Animal Crossing New Horizons is one of the most anticipated games of 2020. With the release so far away, Nintendo has only shared very little about the upcoming game, I have put together some small – but also very exciting new additions.
It’s been more than 10 years since we had a mainline Animal Crossing game on a TV screen and this time around we are getting a combination of handheld and console Animal Crossing, which should make for an amazing duet.
Since Nintendo has shared some gameplay at this years E3 treehouse and during a Nintendo Direct back in September, I have gone through all the amazing footage to find anything new that the big N hasn’t;t really talked about yet.
When a villager first comes to your island you will be able to decide where he or she can place the tent. This is a long requested feature, as other games such as in Animal Crossing New Leaf – new villagers would just bulldoze over anything you may have planted or placed.
Yes that is right, your precious flimsy axe or watering can do break and need either repairing or you may need to craft a new one from scratch! It is unknown if gold tools will break or not – we will have to wait and see!
Animal Crossing New Horizons will also feature crafting for the first time in the series. You will need to gather resources to craft your tools.
Once you plant a seed. flowers will have stages from seedling to the full flower and blossom over time. You can harvest these to make items such as the flower crown. Once harvested only the stem will be left but rest assured they will actually grow back!
Just like in Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer, you can now move furniture half tiles, a long requested feature by the AC community. This allows you to place things more accurately and more to your own liking, more freedom – more creativity!
Not much to say except – YEEEEEES! A larger inventory is great, since New Leaf I have been hording so much stuff all over the place, providing a bigger inventory in your backpack allows for extended fishing time, harvesting or more as you don’t constantly have to go home to free up room and/or decide which tools you take with you! Yay!
The MEWO points introduced in Animal Crossing New Leaf Welcome Amiibo are very similar to the Nook Miles which give you daily quests and rewards for the activities you do on your island.
For the first time in the series, players will be able to place furniture and decorative items anywhere they want in- and outside! Going thought the gameplay videos there is even a possibility to put up holiday or non seasonal wreaths on doors! I am so excited to find out if we can put Christmas lights up as well!
Windows have mostly been a non see through hole in the past games. Animal Crossing New Horizons features window decoration, such as blinds, this will help give a room a more homey feel.
Animal Crossing New Horizons will feature more clothing options for yourself and your villagers. You can put dresses, shirts and even backpacks on!
Of course there are a ton more new features we can expect. Nintendo has shared very little so far but as we get closer to the official release date on March 20, 2020 the big N will be sharing more information on Animal Crossing New Horizons. Make sure to check my designated Animal Crossing section for anything AC related!
Join this Animal Crossing Giveaway featuring exclusive Animal Crossing Merch like an Isabelle Alarm Clock, a Brewester Coffee Pot and so much more!
Platypus Studios, a newly-formed indie developer, is comprised of Jean Francois Poulin (lead programmer), Khris Finley (music and sound design), Joel Boucher (level design, programmer – during the competitions) and Paul Ungar (art and animation). The idea to officially become their own game studio came after they’ve competed in 2 game challenges and won awards. Rock Bottom, their latest game, is currently being expanded upon.
The group entered into the 2nd annual Sudbury Game Design Challenge, now known as the Northern Game Design Challenge, in 2017. The contestants of the challenge were given a theme and 48 hours to create a complete and playable game. They also had to have no more than 4 team members. They presented Frozen Dungeon Saga, an asymmetrical puzzle game. You play as 2 mages simultaneously, each with their own unique abilities. You need the abilities of both mages to escape the dungeon. This game, created by then Platypus Paradox, took home the first prize. The team decided to enter in the same challenge in their local hometown of Sudbury, Ontario, the following year.
The 2018 challenge was to create a 2D Platformer and Platypus Paradox (original name) won the “High Concept Art” award for their game Rock Bottom. We’ve all had difficult times in our lives that seem impossible to overcome. Rock Bottom starts you off in a pit where you have to climb up and go through the stages of grief. You have to collect letters and read through someone describing their emotions. Players will hopefully have a better understanding of how these struggles can take form.
My Potato Games decided to interview this up-and-coming indie developer and to further discuss their passion project, Rock Bottom. The focus now for them will be to create a longer, more fleshed-out game. They would also like to deliver an experience that will teach people about mental illnesses such as Depression.
Q: It sounds like the Northern Game Challenge would have been a grueling experience, how did you manage to stay sane during that ordeal?
A: I won’t lie it does help that I’m a new father to a rather rambunctious 3 year old, so I’m used to running on little to no sleep. However, my team (Jean Francois Poulin, Khris Finley, and Joel Boucher) developed a great schedule for keeping ourselves on track so we knew what milestones we had to hit at different points in the competition.
For example, once the theme for the competition was announced and kicked off at 5:00 pm, we gave ourselves 2 hours to lock in the direction we wanted to take and rough out the game we wanted to make. Then we set up and got to work. A few times each day we had a group meeting to make sure things were on track and we were all happy with what the others were doing. Feedback and criticism was encouraged. By 6 hours into the competition we were pretty well organized and had our game mapped out. We finished with only 30 minutes to spare. Also, there was unlimited coffee at the event. The coffee helped.
Q: After creating a short game about the stages of grief, what made you decide to expand that game to instead tackle mental illnesses?
A: While the character in the Northern Game Design version goes through the stages of grief it was always with the thought of someone coming to terms with their own mental illness, eventually reaching acceptance. Unfortunately when you’re writing the story after a day or so of little sleep it doesn’t come across so clearly. It was a really important issue for the team to do it justice. Therefore, we wanted to emphasize the mental illness aspect in the full release of the game. We’ve really been digging deep into the research and talking with others to make sure that we do it right.
Q: What are some of the differences we will be seeing in the bigger and better version of Rock Bottom?
A: The team has a lot more planned for the full release of Rock Bottom. While I still love the 48 hr version of the game, it is not without flaws. Lots of flaws. When we started making the new version of the game we had to toss out almost all of the code and assets and rebuild the game from the ground up.
The plan is to create a more engaging story with NPCs, focusing on exploration, puzzle solving and improving the platforming elements. We’re also working with mental health professionals locally in Sudbury to include education about it as well as tools for coping with depression and anxiety. We’ll also be changing the art design from pixel style to a much nicer animated style. Someone with much more artistic skill than is currently working on it.
Q: You all seem to be working so hard to get this game released, when can we expect the full version. Do you intend to make it available on Steam or consoles?
A: Platypus Studios will be looking at a full release of Rock Bottom on consoles and Steam (and any other platform that will have us) sometime in 2020.
Q: Can you tell us what other future projects you may have in mind for your studio?
A: We have a lot of ideas that we’ve been kicking around we would like to flesh out our first game jam entry, Frozen Dungeon Saga. We want to develop games that focus on storytelling, puzzles, and teaching players about a wide range of different topics. We’ll keep you updated when we have a more solid idea of what’s coming down the pipeline.
See the video in this article for a full playthrough of the original Rock Bottom by Joel Boucher. You can also go here to try it out for yourself! For more information you can also follow them on Twitter. Click here on our review of Celeste, a game that also deals with similar issues.
As always, Nintendo fans are clamouring for news on Animal Crossing Switch. The game hasn’t even been announced yet, but in the mind of Animal Crossing fans, it’s basically guaranteed. Regardless, just because we haven’t heard a word of the games development, doesn’t mean we can’t talk about what new features and ideas we’d like to see when it finally does release. So, without further ado , here are the top five things I hope to see in Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch. If you can’t wait for the next Animal Crossing Switch game, then check out our list of most adorable must-have Animal Crossing Merch to tie you over.
Prior Animal Crossing titles have dabbled with the idea of giving players jobs. Whether it was the work you had to do for Tom Nook in the original Animal Crossing, Wild World and City Folk or the job you could land serving coffee at the Roost in New Leaf, the series has had small attempts at creating jobs for Villagers to be able to work. In Animal Crossing Switch, I’m hoping for a properly implemented job system. Imagine after being a regular customer at one of the games assortment of stores you were offered a part time job, with the promise of Bells, exclusive items and even a staff discount. The more work you do, the greater the pay and staff discount, with some stores being more generous with their pay than others (I’m sure Tom Nook would be the guy to pay you almost nothing and give you a 1% staff discount).
For example, maybe the Able sisters hire you to fulfil Villager requests for outfits, and you spend some of your time each day designing said outfits. Another job possibility could be to work alongside Harriet at Shampoodles, possibly as a stylist. Customers come in and ask about a particular style and colour, you decide and Harriet does the work. These are only a few examples, but I’m confident that a job system like this could be implemented successfully.
Something I’ve always dreamed about having in Animal Crossing was a bit more freedom regarding the games online player interaction. With the announcement on Nintendo’s paid online service releasing in September, it’s only fair to assume that Animal Crossing’s online offering will be greater than prior games, to justify people spending money to play online.
One thing I would love to see in Animal Crossing online is some sort of social hub, in a similar vein to Inkopolis in Splatoon. Imagine a City (like the one in City Folk) where Villagers all around the world can gather and communicate, trade items etc. The hub City could also contain exclusive shops, which would encourage players to visit and spend time communicating with other players. It’s an idea I doubt will be implemented, but I can hope and dream.
We’d also like to see the possibility of being able to have friends online move in to your town, whether that be in your own home as a roommate or in their own home entirely. Imagine having a town to share with friends, where you can work together each day catching fish and bugs or working jobs (like the ones in my job system idea) to pay off your house to build a bigger one. Having the option to share your town with a friend would be a mind-blowing feature that’d raise my hype for the game to even greater heights.
When Animal Crossing finally lands on Nintendo Switch, I hope to see the option of being able to set the village up manually. Having an option to personally set the location of shops, houses etc at the beginning of the game would be a welcome feature that I believe would allow for players to create towns with their own personality. Allowing for such customisation could lead far more variety when it comes to town layout. For example, one player may want to place all shops and houses together in close proximity, creating the feel of a tight-knit community while leaving the rest of the map to feature as a dense and isolated forest to grow flowers, catch bugs etc, while another player may prefer to spread all of the towns locales evenly across the map, so that no area of the town feels too barren.
The ability to have a say where things go in your town shouldn’t just be set to the beginning of the game either. Every fan of Animal Crossing is acutely aware of the immense frustration felt when a new Villagers house just happens to be plotted exactly on top of your meticulously prepared flower garden or orchard of fruit trees. To make sure that this problem doesn’t occur again, it would be great to be able to place the locations of new Villagers houses. It’s a feature that wouldn’t require too much, and it would save us all the heartache of losing parts of our towns we work so hard to build. It’d also be great to be able to have a proper paving system, instead of having to use patterns to mimic actual pavement.
At the end of the day, the freedom to customize the town to your liking should be a feature when Animal Crossing Switch releases.
Animal Crossing has a bunch of adorable critters to befriend, there’s no doubting that, I just wish there was a bit more depth when it came to talking with them. Building stronger relationships with characters is something I feel that the Animal Crossing franchise could significantly benefit from. If Villagers could have their own distinct likes, dislikes with food, activities etc, it would be a great system that could be used to build on character relationships and it would also greatly encourage the player to try and befriend the townsfolk.
For example, if there was a cooking system implemented in the game, you could create meals that you could give to Villagers to boost your friendship. Whether they like the food or not could be established by what they talk about when chatting to them. Imagine being able to win over a notoriously grumpy character such as Wolfgang by making him an apple pie because when you talked to him one day he mentioned how much he missed his mother’s apple pie, or something along those lines. Paying attention to what the characters say and presenting them with things that they like is a simple way to make a friendship system, but I hope that the next Animal Crossing game features a similar system that rewards the player for listening to what the Villagers say.
This seems like a bit of a no-brainer, but do let me expound. If and when Animal Crossing releases on the Nintendo Switch, it’ll be the first AC game on a home console since Animal Crossing: City Folk on the Wii. Therefore, it’s safe to assume we are going to see a large technical improvement over the last home console release. There is no doubt that game is going to look gorgeous on the system, with beautiful polished graphics sure to blow fans away. However, greater graphics aren’t the only thing We’d like the Nintendo Switch to bring to Animal Crossing. Seamless transitions in and out buildings would be something We’d like to see, as ridding of the short loading times between transitions would add to the feel of the town constantly being alive. Removing the short periods that break immersion would quite obviously make the game feel a bit more immersive.
We’d also like to see the game environment be bigger and have varied terrain, whether that be varied ground heights like the cliffs and slopes seen in other Animal Crossing games, or new types of terrain entirely. Size of the world increasing should only be executed if there are more things to do in the Village, otherwise in the increase in size could be detrimental to the games feel (quality over quantity).
HD rumble is a feature that Nintendo have touted numerous times since the Switch was announced, and it would be cool to see if it could be effectively used in Animal Crossing. I could see the HD rumble being used in numerous ways. For example, the controller when shovelling dirt might register a soft and ever so slight vibration, whereas hitting a rock with a shovel would lead to a sharp thud of a vibration. Small attentions to detail with the HD rumble would be great to see, as it’s a feature underutilized in the Switch’s life so far. It could even play a role in fishing, with the tugs of the fish sending a vibration to the controller to mimic the bite. The options are endless.
The Switch’s hardware is set to create a truly amazing and immersive Animal Crossing experience, but we just need to wait and see when Nintendo decided to share the new Animal Crossing Switch with us. So for now, we must wait. In the meantime however we can fill our hearts with these adorable Animal Crossing goodies. Or this adorable Animal Crossing Mug, Tea Pot, Cushions and more!
Check out what Animal Crossing Switch could really look like here.