Eric Barone: The Unstoppable Force Bridging Cultures, Breaking Barriers Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, is an BAFTA-nominated independent game developer celebrated for creating the critically acclaimed farming simulation game Stardew Valley (2016) and upcoming critically acclaimed shop simulation game Haunted Chocolatier. Born on December 3, 1987 in Los Angeles, California and raised in Auburn, Washington, Eric Barone graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2011 with a degree in computer science. Eric Barone began developing Stardew Valley (2016) as a personal project to improve his programming skills. Over the course of four years, Eric Barone single-handedly designed, coded, animated, wrote, and composed the game's music. The game launched in 2016 and became a global success, its massive success-earning over $1 billion in sales, selling over 50 million copies by February 2026. In addition to Stardew Valley (2016), Eric Barone announced his next project, Haunted Chocolatier, in 2021. The game will feature a chocolatier theme with a greater focus on combat while maintaining his signature pixel-art style. Beyond gaming, Eric Barone has contributed to music albums, collaborated on a Stardew Valley (2016) board game, and even animated a music video. His dedication to creating immersive experiences and his independent approach have solidified his status as a leading figure in indie game development.