Eric Barone, the author of “Stardew Valley/Stardew Valley”, made it clear in public that both “Stardew Valley” and the new game he is developing “Haunted Chocolatier” will always remain “AI-Free”. His reason is straightforward: “soulless machines” should not be allowed to override “flesh and blood humans.”
This statement comes amid recent heated discussions in the game industry about the application of AI tools.
At a time when most major publishers are choosing to keep their AI tools low-key, or not take a stand at all, Eric Barone’s public opposition has caused considerable repercussions among the player community. He is regarded as one of the few well-known developers who “dare to say no directly”, and the response from fans to this statement has been almost overwhelmingly supportive.
This declaration is not common in the industry!
As a developer who has sold more than 35 million copies and has a high status in the Indie game field, Eric Barone’s choice is particularly noteworthy. He clearly pointed out that in the process of replacing human creators with AI, not only creativity is sacrificed, but also the core value of “building connections between people through creation.”
For his fans, this speech is tantamount to a “confirmation of values.”
The popularity of “Stardew Valley” is largely due to the craftsmanship and warmth in the game: every NPC has a unique story, and every event is a carefully designed experience. Eric Barone’s declaration is tantamount to saying: This “temperature” will not be replaced by any tool.