One of the vital healthful tales about Stardew Valley’s 1.6 replace launch was that the developer behind the farming sim’s most beloved modding challenge, Stardew Valley Expanded, helped make it occur. And but which may not have come to be if FlashShifter hadn’t fallen on arduous instances after an unlucky brush with automobile theft.
Chatting with GamesRadar+, FlashShifter explains the sequence of occasions that led them to formally work on the sport they’d been modding. Each they and Stardew Valley creator Eric ‘Involved Ape’ Barone stay in Seattle, although, whereas it was all the time a “dream” to work on the sport, FlashShifter “by no means requested him for something” as they “simply figured it was off-limits as a result of he is a man who does every thing himself.”
“I had all the time needed to work for him after modding his recreation for a 12 months,” they are saying. “It was all the time sort of a dream of mine, however I by no means requested him regardless that we each stay in Seattle. The chances of which might be sort of loopy. The man who has the most important mod to your recreation additionally lives in the identical metropolis as you.”
Issues would change, although, after FlashShifter fell on arduous instances.
“Someday final 12 months, I sort of bumped into some monetary bother,” they are saying. “My automobile obtained stolen. I needed to get a brand new one and I used to be residing off my mod earnings, which was Patreon and PayPal donations.Â
“Having your automobile stolen – I did not have theft insurance coverage, I used to be an fool – I used to be sort of screwed. I sort of panicked and I ended up assembly with him one-on-one at his workplace and I requested him if he would rent me. He knew who I used to be, however I by no means requested him for something as a result of I sort of simply figured it was off-limits as a result of he is a man who does every thing himself. Why would he want somebody like me? However I requested him and he did find yourself just about instantly hiring me a few days later after that. I have been working for him ever since and in addition ensuring that my mod is prepared for the large replace.”
Stardew Valley Expanded has reached 2 million gamers on Nexus Mods! I am humbled by all your love and help over all of those years. I by no means dreamed my mod challenge would have reached so many individuals. The longer term for SVE appears vivid!#StardewValley #StardewValleyExpanded pic.twitter.com/EjWMNlE8dPFebruary 13, 2024
FlashShifter’s work on Stardew Valley coated a variety of content material. “Primarily, my job entailed principally simply doing what I’ve all the time been doing, however extra in an official capability,” they are saying.
That kind of work is not wasn’t all the time what they got down to do, although. FlashShifter initially began out as an accountant earlier than going full-time with Stardew Valley Expanded after being laid off throughout COVID.Â
“I taught myself how one can do pixel artwork, how one can make music, how one can script, how one can make storyboards, how one can make maps,” they recall. “I taught myself every thing, every thing that an precise developer would want besides programming as a result of it is truly not too needed. There are a variety of frameworks and instruments that exist on this neighborhood, you actually do not have to be a programmer in any respect. You simply want to have the ability to assume logically. And if you are able to do that, you’ll be able to create something you need.”
With all that have gained, you’ll be able to wager that FlashShifter is not slowing down anytime quickly. Stardew Valley Expanded is heading towards 1.15 after which after one thing much more formidable.Â
“2.0 is principally hardcore fan fiction,” they are saying. “It is like a magical land of monster fight and adventuring. It is a separate factor from Stardew Valley solely. New characters in a very completely different space of the world that has nothing to do with Stardew Valley.”
First have a look at Fort Village, a magical society gamers can go to within the Stardew Valley Expanded 2.0 replace popping out later subsequent 12 months.Contemplate supporting me on Patreon for unique behind the scenes content material! https://t.co/RLy4r3Jk8E#StardewValley #StardewValleyExpanded pic.twitter.com/GuuXsR5iEhDecember 7, 2022
Whereas Expanded 1.15 sees the mod principally “finished,” 2.0 is healthier described as the subsequent step somewhat than an overhaul. Even when what you are getting is one thing close to utterly completely different.Â
“It is extra like a brand new journey in a brand new approach,” they are saying. “It would not concentrate on farming, it focuses on fight. And it will have Terraria-style bosses. You go to Fort Village and your cash is value nothing right here.Â
“So I take away the participant’s cash. New solid of characters, your friendship is at zero, and you do not know anybody right here. And monsters listed here are protected by some kind of pressure subject, so the weapons that you simply carry right here do not actually do a lot harm.Â
“I am primarily resetting your cash, your social affect, and your energy degree whenever you get right here. It is sort of a brand new recreation, however will probably be 12 months three or 4. However you begin from scratch, in a approach. So it is like a brand new journey.”
Between COVID-induced layoffs and a brush with grand theft auto, FlashShifter’s journey has not been straightforward. Contemplating the place they’ve ended up, although, all of it feels value it.
“It is sort of humorous,” they are saying. “I feel every thing labored out fairly properly. And I am really proud of the place I’m. I by no means dreamed I’d be capable of work on my favourite recreation like this. It is truthfully like each modder’s dream, I feel, to have the ability to work on the sport that they are modding in an official capability. And I am really humbled by every thing, actually.”
Because of Stardew Valley’s 1.6 replace, speedrunners are racing to see who can chug a jar of mayonnaise the quickest.