'Stardew Valley' major update will let you marry its most hated character

Stardew Valley is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since cosy gamers were first invited to move into Grandpa's old farmhouse in Pelican Town. The popular farming simulator has grown significantly in the intervening years, with official updates adding new areas to explore, multiplayer mode, divorce, and even the ability to drink mayonnaise.

Now developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has unveiled more details about Stardew Valley's upcoming major update 1.7, announcing on Thursday that it will turn two of its non-player characters into romanceable marriage candidates. However, many players' excitement was dampened when they learned exactly which characters are joining the marriage market.

Barone had teased the addition of new marriage candidates in an interview with IGN earlier this month, prompting fans to eagerly speculate about who they could be. Some dreamed of being homewreckers, hoping that town carpenter Robin would leave her husband in favour of them. Others longed for the magical touch of the Wizard's purple whiskers. The last romance options added to Stardew Valley were depressed alcoholic Shane and saloon employee Emily, who were both made romanceable within eight months of the game's release in 2016. As such, the addition of new potential lovers is a significant development for Stardew Valley.

These newly dateable characters' identities were finally revealed during an anniversary YouTube livestream on Thursday. In it, Barone stated that update 1.7 will allow players to romance Sandy, owner of a store in the Calico Desert, and Clint, the local Pelican Town blacksmith. 

It is Clint that players have taken issue with, subjecting him to an instant, brutal, internet-wide rejection.

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Why does everyone hate Clint from 'Stardew Valley'?

Numerous Stardew Valley players have been put off by Clint's self-pitying attitude, accusing him of constantly complaining about his life yet refusing to do anything to change it. Issues with Clint also extend to his behaviour toward women, particularly his unspoken crush Emily. While said crush isn't in itself cause for ridicule, Clint's actions in response to it have caused fans to label him a creepy incel with few redeeming qualities.

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Yet despite this widespread revulsion, some Stardew Valley players have jumped to Clint's defence, hoping that update 1.7 will finally give him a redemption arc. Barone has previously acknowledged issues such as Clint still expressing his attraction to Emily even after she's married, but stated that he'd been prioritising other work and hadn't gotten around to fixing it just yet.

"Unpopular opinion but I’m so happy it’s Clint," wrote X user @caroldirge. "Before Emily was added as a romance option he had a cute-awkward arc with her that ended with a carnival date. After, he got branded as a weirdo, creep, incel by the community. I want this blacksmith to be happy too."

Of course, new romance options aren't the only additions players can expect from the 1.7 update. Barone previously hinted that it would include a new farm type as well as "more character/social stuff," though it's unclear if this was a reference to the new romances. Either way, it will likely include much more than has been revealed if past history is any indication. Stardew Valley's last major update added the ability to put hats on dogs and "crit" babies when it was released last March.

No release date has been set for Stardew Valley's 1.7 update, with Barone simply stating that it is in development for now. 

"With 1.7, My goal is to add more depth to various areas of the game that are somewhat lacking, without 'bloating' the game with too many systems," Barone wrote in an update on Steam. "More depth, but not necessarily more complexity. I'm confident you'll be happy with the result…  

"Oh, and you'll be able to marry Clint and Sandy. I know you've all been dying to marry Clint... right?  ...guys??  ..........  Welp...."