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Dear ConcernedApe,
I’ve been trying to write this letter for a few days now, but have been struggling to find the right words. Let me start by introducing myself.
Hi, my name is Josh. I’m 22 years old and I have been an avid gamer for most of my life. I say most because about 4 years ago I lost interest in video games and sold my Playstation. In fact, I lost interest in most things I had previously loved. The last 4 years I have struggled with anxiety and depression, and felt as though life was rushing past me, leaving me to grip on to the ebbs and flows for dear life. The last year was the worst for me. I didn’t know how to surface from this well, so I decided I would try to fall back on video games, my source of happiness for so many of my childhood and teenage years.
Around 6 months ago I decided to take the leap and buy a Switch. To many out there, buying a Switch isn’t exactly a leap, but to me it was seeing as I was a broke college student and a Switch required me to spend 300 of the $400 in my bank account. But I categorized it as an investment in mental health to help ease the burden. Owning a Switch was good for the first few months, Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey were great, I replayed Skyrim for the 5th time, but after those first couple of months I felt myself losing interest as I did years ago. It made me sad, seeing as this old passion of mine had lost its luster. The genres that I used to love just didn’t interest me anymore. I was starting to lose faith.
Then I found Stardew Valley. I figured, ‘why not,’ I had seen the subreddit and heard good things about the game. Farming simulators were never my cup of tea, but hey, it’s only $15 so what’s the harm.
Now, I can’t stress this enough, ConcernedApe, Stardew Valley is the single greatest game I have ever played in my life.
As soon as I finished that first day on the farm I was hooked. This game transcends genre. Whether I was 100 levels down in the caves, or I was romancing Abigail (the best NPC in the game), or I was harvesting my first Strawberry crops to start earning the big bucks, or I was casting out a line on the docks next to my pal Willy, I was completely engrossed. For the first time in years, I was obsessed with a game again, and it was euphoric. It’s everything that I never knew I wanted.
For a while Stardew was the highlight of my day, and all I could think about in class or at work was getting back to my farm. But slowly, Stardew became less of a focal point of happiness in my life, and more of a happy addition. You see, I saw all the progress my farmer was making with his day, using up every minute to make the most of the limited hours, slowly building up relationships with the townspeople, and I figured, ‘if I can do this in game, why can’t I do it IRL?’ I started putting more effort into my real life, reaching out to friends, spending more time outside my house, doing real people activities, and rediscovering the happiness that had eluded me for so long.
Stardew Valley changed my life, and I owe it to you, ConcernedApe. You single handedly brought so much joy back into my life and I can’t thank you enough. Even if you never read this letter, I felt that these words needed to be said, for me and for the many others whose lives have been improved by your labor of love. I am currently sitting around 100 hours, and I plan to put 100 more in. I appreciate you as if you are my own family, ConcernedApe, and I am so excited to see what you do next.
You have made a fan for life, and so I say, from the bottom of mine and every other Stardew players' hearts, thank you.
Best, Josh of Savory Necta Farm (supposed to be Nectar but I reached the character limit and just rolled with it)
Edit: Thank you all for the kind words. With this post, I not only wanted to thank CA but also express the feelings that I think many of us have felt towards this incredible game. After reading all of your kind comments and your own personal experiences, I think I accomplished that goal. You are all wonderful people and it warms my heart to see everyone having as much fun as I am. The next stop for me is Skull Cavern (Level 100? Seriously? Is that even possible?)
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