Eric Barone, the sole developer behind Stardew Valley, has publicly defended his decision to engage in a questionable collaboration with the action-adventure game Infinity Nikki. Barone, known among fans as ConcernedApe, has consistently delivered player-driven updates for his indie hit. Yet, the recent announcement of this collaboration has led to unexpected backlash from fans, marking a rare instance of criticism against him.

Barone expressed on Twitter that he forges partnerships only for two reasons: either he supports a game he’s passionate about or he believes players will enjoy the results. The upcoming crossover event in Infinity Nikki is set for September 1, coinciding with the game’s 1.9 update. While Infold Games remains vague about the details, they teased ‘cozy surprises’ and ‘a harvest of wonders.’ A recent teaser indicates that Stardew Valley’s charming Junimos could play a role, as they appear to gather crops on a pixelated farm before entering the much more realistic world of Infinity Nikki.

Also of note, Barone implied that he might not be compensated for this collaboration, reiterating previously that he has no financial interest in these partnerships. His previous collaborations with other indie titles have captured significant attention, all while he maintains his focus on earning from his own game, Stardew Valley.

For more insights about the success of Stardew Valley, check this article.