Here's what Stardew Valley looked like five years ago
Originally named Sprout Valley.
Indie hit Stardew Valley is one year old - and its one-man developer CorncernedApe is celebrating.
In a blog post summarising a whirlwind 12 months, CorncernedApe also shared a look at Stardew Valley from 2012 - when he began the project.
Back then, the game was named Sprout Valley and its art style was a lot more basic:
![](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/148818928801.png?width=690&quality=75&format=jpg&auto=webp)
![](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/stardew-valley-creator-celebrates-launch-anniversary-with-look-back-at-the-games-humble-origins-148818929867.png?width=690&quality=75&format=jpg&auto=webp)
A year later and the art style had shifted a little closer to what it is now, although elements such as Joja Mart and the Community Centre were still absent:
![](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/stardew-valley-creator-celebrates-launch-anniversary-with-look-back-at-the-games-humble-origins-148818936455.png?width=690&quality=75&format=jpg&auto=webp)
The past year has seen Stardew Valley launch after five years of development, achieve critical acclaim, great sales, and is now available on consoles.
"Considering that I had spent the previous 4-5 years in my own little bubble, working alone, doing essentially the same thing every day... and now suddenly to be thrust into the limelight... it was quite the change!", ConcernedApe reflected.
"I'm happy about it, of course. I mean... it is a weird feeling, at first, to have something that once seemed so distant, so impossible... some pipe-dream that you fantasized about in the dead of night... actually come true. It takes some getting used to, and that's part of what this last year has been for me.
"I'm proud of Stardew Valley. I think it's a good game. Is it perfect? No. Is it the best I can do? No... really I see this as just the beginning... I'm just dipping my toe into the water. And I'm looking forward to making the next step."