Stardew Valley, a charming farming simulator developed by a single person (ConcernedApe), has achieved remarkable success, surpassing many games created by large studios. Its popularity is well-deserved, earning a spot in MaagX’s top 50 video games of all time. Since its 2016 release, Stardew Valley has received consistent updates, introducing new content and features, including online multiplayer for up to four players. However, many players are curious about cross-platform compatibility, especially with the growing trend of cross-play in other titles. This article explores everything we know about cross-platform support in Stardew Valley.
Is Stardew Valley Cross-Platform Compatible?
stardew valley
Unfortunately, Stardew Valley currently does not support cross-platform play. This means players on different platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC) cannot join each other’s online multiplayer farms. To play together, everyone must be on the same platform. It’s also important to note that the host player’s system saves the shared world locally. Other players cannot access the farm without the host being online.
The Future of Cross-Platform Play in Stardew Valley
Sadly, there’s little indication that cross-platform functionality will be added to Stardew Valley. The game’s official Reddit continues to list it as unsupported. The developer, ConcernedApe, briefly addressed the topic on Twitter in 2018, acknowledging the significant technical hurdles involved. While expressing a desire to implement cross-play, he prioritized releasing the then-current update. Years later, with no further updates on the matter, the prospect of cross-platform support appears dim.
Cross-Save Functionality in Stardew Valley
Beyond cross-platform play, Stardew Valley also lacks cross-save support, except between PC, Android, and iOS. Given the game’s availability on numerous platforms, the inability to transfer save files is a significant drawback for players wishing to continue their progress across different devices. While addressing this limitation would be a welcome improvement, similar to cross-platform play, the likelihood of it happening seems low.
Looking Ahead: Haunted Chocolatier
For now, the best hope for cross-platform play and cross-save lies with ConcernedApe’s next project, Haunted Chocolatier. Players can only hope these features will be incorporated into this upcoming title.
Conclusion
While Stardew Valley continues to be a beloved game with engaging updates, the absence of cross-platform play and limited cross-save functionality remains a disappointment for many players. While the developer has expressed past interest in cross-play, technical challenges and the lack of recent updates suggest it’s unlikely to be implemented. For the time being, players will have to stick to playing with friends on the same platform. Looking forward, fans can hope that Haunted Chocolatier will address these limitations and offer a more connected gaming experience.
