The developer of the popular, cozy farming simulation game Stardew Valley, Eric Barone, confirmed on Monday that players will never have to pay a cent for an upcoming game update or DLC and that everyone can enjoy the content for free.

While assuring a fan on X (formerly Twitter) about the game's future updates and DLCs, Barone said, "I swear by the honor of my family name, I will never ask for money for a DLC or update, as long as I live." The Stardew Valley developer joked further, promising the community to "shame him" if he violated the oath, screenshotting the tweet to immortalize his opinion on the game's monetization system.

Stardew Valley was one of the most played games of June on Steam Deck and continues to hold a special place in the gaming industry. It shows that cozy and relaxing, slow-paced games are still popular with gamers. Moreover, they actively neutralize the sweaty nature of online live-service competitive games, which are often considered synonymous with the face of gaming worldwide.

Since its release, the game has become an indie hit on the shoulders of Eric Barone, aka ConcernedApe, whose net worth has also increased. As the community grows in numbers, several modders have also been hard at work delivering out-of-the-box experiences for players, such as the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3 mod which will add characters like Astarion and Halsin to the game.