Stardew Valley Creator Donates $125,000 and Pledges Monthly Support to Open-Source Game Framework

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Stardew Valley Abigail Portrait

Eric Barone, the acclaimed creator of the beloved farming simulator Stardew Valley who works under the alias ConcernedApe, is reinvesting his success back into the development community. By supporting the tools that have powered his own journey, Barone is ensuring that independent developers have access to the same resources for years to come. Not only has he made a significant one-time donation to a vital open-source framework, but he has also pledged his long-term financial support.

The recipient of this contribution is MonoGame, a highly versatile C# framework that simplifies and streamlines game development. Used by hundreds of studios, MonoGame has been the foundation for several iconic indie hits, including Barone’s own work. To support the project, the Stardew Valley developer has donated $125,000 and committed to recurring monthly contributions for the foreseeable future.

“We are excited to share that ConcernedApe has provided a remarkably generous initial donation of $125,000 along with an ongoing monthly commitment to our project,” MonoGame announced via social media. “This exceptional level of support, combined with contributions from other studios and individual developers, ensures that MonoGame remains a dependable, open-source C# framework for creators of all backgrounds.”

MonoGame is proud to announce support from ConcernedApe… December 30, 2024

Interestingly, Stardew Valley transitioned to the MonoGame framework in 2021 after originally being built on XNA. A quick look at the roster of titles powered by this engine highlights its immense impact on the industry; critical darlings like Celeste, Axiom Verge, and Streets of Rage 4 all utilize the framework. Barone’s investment effectively safeguards the technical infrastructure for the next generation of indie masterpieces.

By leveraging his platform to empower other creators, Barone continues to demonstrate why he is one of the most respected figures in gaming. This act of philanthropy gives fans yet another reason to admire his work as they look forward to his highly anticipated next project, Haunted Chocolatier.

In other news, rumors suggest the Stardew Valley 1.7 update could be just as transformative as the last, with ConcernedApe hinting at expanded social mechanics, new farm environments, and plenty of hidden surprises.