Update: Stardew Valley's Nintendo Switch version will not be launching with multiplayer as reported by PC Gamer. Although it will be the first console to get multiplayer, the feature is expected to arrive on PC before any consoles sometime after Summer 2017. Additionally, the developer of the game ConcernedApe tweeted a similar clarification.
https://twitter.com/ConcernedApe/status/836667019931967488
Additionally, ConcernedApe has stated that he expects multiplayer will arrive on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 about a month after it deploys on the Switch.
https://twitter.com/ConcernedApe/status/836673096035663872
This is an update to our previously-known timeline for multiplayer which didn't specify when we could expect the feature. Our original story continues below.
Stardew Valley will be coming to the Nintendo Switch and will be the first console to have multiplayer according to today's Nintendo Direct streamed live on Twitch. This was further confirmed on the official Nintendo of America Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/836626303222624258
Stardew Valley is a farming RPG created solely by indie developer ConcernedApe over the course of four years. Inspired by Harvest Moon, the game sold over a million copies in the first four months of its release and was listed in the Gold ranking of the best-selling Steam games of 2016.
We first heard about the game coming to the Nintendo Switch after the developer announced that it would supplant the now-cancelled Wii U version in a news post that talked about the state of the game and where it's headed. Now, today's Nintendo Direct announced that the Nintendo Switch will be the first console to get multiplayer functionality, before the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of it. Notably, it was first for consoles, implying PC users are not going to have to wait for multiplayer.
There hasn't yet been a firm release date, price, or distribution model announced for the console version of the game. So far, all we know is that it's expected to drop this Summer. Although Stardew Valley is already available digitally on the XBox One and PlayStation 4, a physical Collector's Edition is on the way for those consoles and we may very well see something similar for the Switch version.
If you don't want to wait to play Stardew Valley, you can grab it on Steam for the PC, on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One, and on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 4 for $14.99 or your regional equivalent. The Switch price hasn't yet been announced, but I think it's safe to say that it will probably be the same.
What do you think of Stardew Valley getting multiplayer first on the Nintendo Switch? Do you think PC players will be getting it earlier? XBox One and PlayStation 4 players: how do you feel about this content being delivered to Nintendo players as a timed exclusive? Let us know in the comments below!
