Stardew Valley 1.7 Update Guide: New Farm Types, Social Features, and How to Prepare

The valley is calling again. Just when you thought your legendary perfection run was safe, ConcernedApe has confirmed that Stardew Valley 1.7 is officially in the works.

While update 1.6 brought us the sprawling Meadowslands Farm and festive desert mayhem, the upcoming 1.7 patch promises to dig even deeper into the heart of what makes Pelican Town feel alive.

Information remains a bit like a rare artifact—hard to find but incredibly valuable once unearthed.

Eric Barone, the solo developer behind the phenomenon, has dropped a few cryptic crumbs on social media.

We know a new farm type is coming. We know social systems are getting a facelift. Beyond that, the community is left to speculate while we wait for the inevitable "one patch note a day" teaser cycle to begin.

The Next Frontier: A New Farm Type

Every major update for Stardew Valley traditionally introduces a fresh way to start your 1st of Spring. From the combat-heavy Wilderness Farm to the river-laden islands of the Riverland map, these layouts dictate how you spend your energy in the early game.

For 1.7, the "new farm type" tease has sent theory-crafters into a frenzy. Many players are crossing their fingers for a Jungle or Tropical layout, perhaps acting as a bridge to the late-game content of Ginger Island.

Imagine a farm where the soil never freezes in winter, but you have to fight back aggressive vines and heavy humidity.

Others suggest we might see an Urban or "Small-Town" farm. This would likely feature less tillable land but perhaps a closer proximity to town or unique perks for selling artisan goods directly to villagers.

Given that 1.6 focused on ranching with the blue grass of the Meadowslands, it is highly probable that 1.7 will lean into a specialized niche we haven't seen yet.

Deepening Bonds: Expanded Social Features

If the farm is the body of Stardew, the villagers are its soul. ConcernedApe has explicitly mentioned that "character/social stuff" is a major pillar of this update. This is massive news for players who feel the current friendship system can feel a bit static once you hit ten hearts.

What could this look like in practice? There are several directions the update could take:

• Dynamic NPC Interactions: Villagers acknowledging your marriage, your achievements, or even each other more frequently.
• New Heart Events: Post-marriage content or events that involve multiple villagers interacting at once.
• Social Hobbies: The ability to invite NPCs to go fishing, visit the mines, or catch a movie without it being a formal "date."
• Reputation Systems: A deeper way to influence the town's growth beyond just the Community Center.

The hope is that the world will feel more reactive. Currently, Pelican Town can feel a bit frozen in time.

If 1.7 introduces evolving dialogue or changing relationships between the NPCs themselves, it would add a layer of immersion that fans have been craving for years.

The Stardew 1.7 Prep List: What to Do Now

You might be tempted to delete your saves and wait. Don't. Instead, use this time to position yourself for a smooth transition when the patch finally drops. Whether you plan on starting a new save for the farm type or continuing your current journey, preparation is key.

1. Liquidate and Accumulate Gold

New updates almost always bring new buildings, expensive late-game furniture, or seeds. If you are in the end-game, start a massive Ancient Fruit Wine cycle. You want at least 2 to 5 million gold tucked away. This ensures that if a new "Golden Clock" level item appears, you aren't stuck grinding for a season.

2. Hoard Your Resources

Stop selling your raw materials. You should be stockpiling:

• Hardwood: Vital for almost all new construction.
• Iridium Bars: Likely needed for new tool tiers or machinery.
• Battery Packs: Frequently used in high-tech farm additions.
• Cinder Shards: Keep these for potential new enchantments or island-adjacent content.

3. Finish Your "Perfection" Run

If you are at 90% completion, push through now. Major updates often add new items to the shipping list or new recipes to the cooking tab.

This can actually move the goalposts for the "Perfection" achievement. Finishing it now secures your statue of true perfection before the requirements get even steeper.

4. Optimize Your Mod List

For PC players, 1.7 will inevitably break many popular mods. If you rely on SMAPI or specific expansion mods like Stardew Valley Expanded, keep an eye on their respective dev logs. It is often a good idea to create a "vanilla" backup of your favorite save just in case things get messy during the update.

Looking Toward the Horizon

We don't have a release date for 1.7 yet. Barone has been busy with the "Symphony of Seasons" concert tour and the ongoing development of Haunted Chocolatier. However, history tells us that when he starts talking about "character stuff," the update is usually further along than he lets on.

The beauty of Stardew Valley is that it never truly ends. Each update feels less like a patch and more like a gift to a community that has stayed loyal for a decade. Whether you're excited for a new patch of land to till or a new reason to talk to Linus, 1.7 is shaping up to be a defining moment for the game.