Stardew Valley: 13 Years of Success Proving It’s Not Just a Harvest Moon Clone

Stardew Valley has emerged as a hallmark of the cozy gaming genre since its launch in 2016. The game captured players’ imaginations and, as of January 2025, has recorded astonishing sales of 41 million copies. It’s often regarded as the definitive cozy game, a benchmark against which all other entries in the genre are measured—sometimes unfavorably.

In recent years, many newly released farming and life simulation games have faced criticism for being mere copycats of Stardew Valley, attempting to capitalize on its success. Ironically, a decade ago, it was Stardew Valley that drew comparisons to existing titles, leading to accusations of imitation. Although it has greatly evolved and surpassed the game it once emulated, it serves as a valuable case study for developers hoping to create games inspired by their favorites.

Why Stardew Valley Was Perceived as Doomed to Fail

Stardew Valley’s Connection to Harvest Moon

From its inception, Stardew Valley drew significant inspiration from the beloved Harvest Moon series. Developer Eric Barone, known by his alias ConcernedApe, candidly acknowledged this influence. In a Reddit thread from 13 years ago, ConcernedApe remarked, “My whole reason for making Stardew Valley was to eventually add all the things that I wished Harvest Moon did.” However, these very elements—such as farm management, nurturing relationships, seasonal festivities, and more—raised skepticism among potential players.

Comment by u/derkrieger from discussion in harvestmoon

Throughout its development phase, critical voices echoed doubts about the game’s ability to distinguish itself. Reddit discussions at the time, particularly one initiated by derkrieger, expressed concerns that the title might simply be seen as a low-cost imitation of Harvest Moon. As the game neared its release, predictions of a potential lawsuit from Natsume circulated, suggesting significant hesitation within the community.

Stardew Valley is what looks like an indie Harvest Moon for PC and they’re on Steam Greenlight. I’m pretty excited about this, anyone else with me? by u/derkrieger in harvestmoon

Fast forward to today, and Stardew Valley is a revered title within the cozy gaming community. Initially, ConcernedApe intended to create the game, issue a few updates, and shift his focus to new projects. Yet, over a decade later, the game continues to receive free updates, compelling ConcernedApe to pause development on his next venture, Haunted Chocolatier, to concentrate on enhancing Update 1.6 for consoles and mobile platforms.

The game and its creator have become icons in the industry, serving as a model for future games to emulate—though with caution. Currently, any game introducing farming elements, romance, or other similar cozy attributes faces immediate comparisons to Stardew Valley. It is ironic that many of its devoted fans overlook the parallels between Stardew Valley and the game it once imitated.

The Significance of Clones in Gaming

Reassessing the Value of Clones in Game Development

“I’m a big fan of Harvest Moon, but I always wished there were more games in the style of the first few (Snes, Back to Nature). Stardew Valley is my attempt at reliving that old style, but at the same time adding to it and changing any annoying or boring aspects of the original games.”

ConcernedApe has expressed understanding toward fans who may be frustrated by the emergence of “rip-offs.”He advocates for the importance of these “clone”games, a sentiment still relevant today:

“I believe that ‘clone’ type games are important for the video game world, as they allow genres to evolve and hopefully result in more unique and varied gaming experiences.”

The robust performance of Stardew Valley exemplifies how so-called “clones”play a pivotal role in the evolution of the gaming landscape. It is vital to distinguish between outright theft of ideas and innovation inspired by established games. Creative reinterpretations are not just beneficial but necessary for genre advancement.

Lessons from Stardew Valley for Future Developers

Embracing Innovation in Game Design

Many criticisms aimed at clones stem from the delicate balance between homage and imitation. While derivative games can invigorate genres, blatant copying detracts from originality. The challenge lies in clearly defining what constitutes innovation versus exploitation of an existing formula.

Consider the case of Palworld, a title often criticized for its similarities to Pokémon. Players defending Palworld argue that it expands upon the Pokémon formula in ways its original creators have not ventured. Once a game achieves success, it can become increasingly difficult for developers to deviate from winning formulas. Gamers develop expectations regarding familiar gameplay mechanics while also craving novelty sufficient to justify purchasing new installments.

This pattern recurs across various franchises like Harvest Moon, Pokémon, Final Fantasy, and Borderlands. Smaller studios, like those behind Stardew Valley, have the freedom to experiment and take risks without the pressure associated with large-scale franchises.

Merely imitating existing titles is insufficient. In a Reddit AMA conducted 11 years ago, ConcernedApe shared insightful guidance for would-be developers: “I always try to think about ‘How can I take this to the next level?’”He emphasized the importance of enhancements and unique touches that elevate a game’s appeal. Numerous titles—like My Time At Portia, Wylde Flowers, Coral Island, and Fields of Mistria—continue to build upon the foundation that Stardew Valley established.

ConcernedApe was right to pursue his vision over ten years ago, responding to detractors with thoughtful remarks:

“Stardew Valley might not be the game for you, but I think a lot of people will be happy having a farming RPG on the PC that they can mod, play with their friends, and always know that there is more content and updates lurking around the corner.”

In the future, it’s possible that another title will be dismissed as merely a “clone”of Stardew Valley, only to revolutionize the cozy gaming genre once again.

Sources: ConcernedApe/Reddit (1, 2), derkrieger/Reddit

Source & Images