Stardew Valley fans are incredibly excited for the upcoming release of update 1.7, which solo developer ConcernedApe has been diligently working on, with players hoping for a 2026 launch. Following the recent reveal of new marriage candidates, anticipation for the 1.7 update is at an all-time high.

If you’re looking for something to occupy your time while you wait, there’s an incredible Stardew Valley prequel available to explore right now, and it’s a massive hit among fans (via FanGamer).

Stardew Valley: Before The Farmer Prequel Is Incredible

If you can’t get enough of the Stardew Valley-verse, you should definitely check out the official prequel, Stardew Valley: Before the Farmer. This officially licensed 144-page graphic novel by Chihiro Sakaida details life in Stardew Valley for its various townsfolk in the year leading up to the farmer’s arrival.

The story “follows the lives of the villagers through the ups and downs, the disappointments and celebrations… as well as the arrival of the Joja Corporation,” and you can claim it now for just under $30 USD on the official FanGamer website. This prequel comes in a high-quality, 5.5 x 8.5-inch hardcover with a woodgrain-style, gold foil-laden and embossed cover.

Before the Farmer is printed on “gentle creme-colored paper with brown ink for a natural look,” and includes bilingual dialogue in both Japanese and English. Additionally, the dust jacket doubles as a full-size cover art illustration poster you can display on your wall, and players will also receive an authentic “hand-sealed letter from Grandpa with embossed Pelican Town seal sticker, along with a beautiful illustration of your new farmhouse!”

Before the Farmer is a must-read prequel that enhances the Stardew Valley experience for even the most die-hard fans. There are numerous nuanced details that “bring the story and the valley to life,” and you’ll be getting significant value for your investment.

When Will Stardew Valley 1.7 Release?

After ConcernedApe’s recent announcement of new marriage candidates players can expect in update 1.7 (Clint and Sandy), excitement for this update is at an all-time high, despite some controversy surrounding these romance choices among players. However, there is still no official word regarding the release date for Stardew Valley 1.7.

Based on previous major updates’ timelines, fans on Reddit have narrowed down a realistic release window following ConcernedApe’s announcement that update 1.7 was in development. As Surax explains, “ConcernedApe announced the 1.6 update on April 16, 2023, and it was released on March 19, 2024, so about 11 months between announcement and release.”

This leads players to be optimistic about a potential release in 2026 since ConcernedApe first announced update 1.7 in August 2025, and revealing Clint and Sandy as marriage candidates indicates that progress is being made. ConcernedApe clearly has many projects underway at this time with update 1.7 and The Haunted Chocolatier, but if you’re eager for a new Stardew Valley experience while waiting for update 1.7, be sure to check out the Before the Farmer prequel while it’s available.

Here you can find the original article. The photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors and they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[nospin]

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