After dedicating 10 years of his life "and counting" to Stardew Valley, Barone has decided it's time to reveal his new game to the world. So, what's with the chocolate theme? It's just an idea that he had, and well - a lot of people like chocolate.
This game will go "beyond the ordinary" with the assistance of magical ghost chocolate:
"In Stardew Valley, the focus was more humble: living off the land, growing food, and connecting to the people and nature around you. However, with my next game, I wanted to explore more fantastical possibilities… experiences that take you beyond the ordinary. That’s where magical haunted ghost chocolate comes in.
"Chocolate represents that which is delightful. The haunted castle represents the allure of the unknown. The ghosts represent the imprint of the past. All of these things are important. However, don’t think for a moment that, because this game features ghosts in a haunted castle, it is an evil or negative game. On the contrary, I intend for this game to be positive, uplifting and life-affirming. However, if Stardew Valley mostly channeled the energy of the sun, Haunted Chocolatier channels the energy of the moon. Both are vital."