Summary
Stardew Valley 1.6introduced 33 quality of life (QOL) updates. These features enhance players’ overall experience without altering core gameplay or storyline. (Think of a change in items’ colors or new indicators for mission progression.)
However, as with all ConcernedApe updates, v1.6 includes significant improvements that can transform the way someone playsStardew Valleyforever. With that in mind, every minor and major addition was reviewed to compile a selection of the update’s best QOL features.
10NPCs Won’t Destroy Chests
Villagers Are Not The Incredible Hulk
Prior to v1.6, if a player tried to block an NPC’s path with chests, they’d heartlessly destroy it — nothing could stop them, as if they were theGTA 5train. But the new quality-of-life update makes Pelican Town villagers much nicer. in this version,they politely push the chest aside and walk past them. No more Hulk-inspired aggressions.
Previously, players had to figure out “safe tiles” in the town because placing chests anywhere else could mean losing all their precious items. DedicatedStardew Valleyfans even created detailed maps of safe/dangerous tiles to help players avoid this bug. However, ConcernedApe has taken matters into his own hands and fixed the issue for good.
9Animals and Pets Have a Dedicated Tab
Pet My Favorite Chicken… Check
“Did I pet my dog… what about the chickens?” That’s a repeating dialogue in a righteous farmer’s mind. But, thanks to a v1.6 quality of life feature, the player’s consciousness can rest assured that they have petted all animals.The new Animals Tab in the pause menushows a detailed list ofall farm animals and pets inStardew Valley, with checkmarks for daily pets and a status bar for friendship points.
This update takes on added significance asplayers can now adopt more petsupon reaching 1,000 friendship points with their original dog or cat. In essence, every daily pet point becomes crucial, as it may take months to fully max out a pet’s friendship and expand the farm with new animal companions.
8Artisan Goods Come in Distinct Colors
No More Taste-and-See
Jellies, pickles, wines, and juices are colored based on their source products. For example, anAncient Fruit Jellywill look blueish, while an Apple Jelly is red. That’s what true farmers call a “quality of life” upgrade.Players no longer need to hover over each artisan good to figure out its type. One glance is enough — the character’s eyes are now barcode readers.
Other color-related improvements include nighttime colors for hats in the game menu portraits, matching colors for the submerged fishing bobber and the water, and a minor bug fix for some colored items that were not drawn correctly in specific situations. On top of these, players can now use more colored items inMr. Qi’s Prismatic Grange Challenge, which is a time-saver.
7Outdoor Floorings Cover Every Corner
The Annoying Pixel Is Gone
In v1.5, players couldn’t cover the corners of farm buildings with tile and flooring. This resulted in a few empty pixels around each structure, which, although dismissible, would ruin a perfect farm’s aesthetics. The new update solves this visual issue by allowing players to putone extra tile of flooring under each structure. A simple OCD-soothing change.
Of course,the v1.6 patch notessay the fix works for “most” farm buildings. So, if it is not possible to floor a structure’s corners, players could try changing its style — where applicable — or hiding the ugly empty pixels with some decorations.
6PC Version Has Game-Changer Shortcuts
Keys to Confirm, Consume, and Cancel
Picture this: Press a button and instantly buy 999 Hay from Marnie. Upon leaving her shop, the players sees a super-rare item on the ground. However, their inventory is full. So, they drop the extra Hay and grab the rare item. Later that day, they are trying to leave a festival early, so when Lewis asks, “Are you sure?” you press “Y” for goodbye — and no one questions why. That’s totally possible inStardew Valley 1.6.
The update addedthree new keyboard shortcutsthat let players buy the maximum number of any item, drop items without opening the inventory, and respond to Yes/No dialogues with one key. Here’s the complete list:
5A Bus Driver’s License
Pam Independence Day
Pamwould often — well, most days — refuse to drive you to the Desert. Being a considerate citizen of Pelican Town, players would have no complaints. However, that’s no longer the case. WithStardew Valley’s 1.6update,players can receive a Bus Driver’s License, granting them the freedom to drive to the Desert whenever they please.
Regarding Marnie’s classic issue, her presence in the Ranch is no longer necessary. Simplypurchase her Animal Catalogue, and players can access the counter to order any goods or animals at their convenience. (The undisciplined ladies of Pelican Town can no longer disrupt someone’s plans.)
4Watering Can and Hoe Support Strafing
A Sharpshooter on the Farm
Charging the watering can and hoe was a blessing, but often, players would accidentally aim the tools at the wrong tiles, resulting in wasted resources or depleted stamina — a frustrating “mischarge.” With the new update, players can now strafe before releasing the charge button.
They can now move around while aiming the watering can or hoe, a quality-of-life change as significant as moving while aiming down sights inResident Evil 4 Remake, to say the least.
3Wedding Outfits Are No Longer Mandatory
Your Life Simulation, Your Simulated Choice
ConcernedApe ensured inclusivity in the game from the outset by makingsame-sex marriageavailable early on. However, one detail was missing:Male farmers were obliged to wear a wedding dressat their special ceremony — a less-than-ideal option for everyone.
As of v1.6, “Male farmers are no longer forced into wedding clothes on their wedding day, so you can choose your own outfit for the wedding.” Who says you can’t look weird and goofy on your wedding day?
2Farm Computer Works Remotely
The Virtual Assistant Is Smarter Than Ever
Afterachieving Perfection, many players begin to assert their dominance over the entire Pelican Town — and other islands — turning them into their own land. However, as they celebrate solving the space issue, they encounter another significant problem: Keeping track of every item, device, machine, and crop becomes a nightmare. Fortunately, their Farm Computer received an upgrade to address this issue. It functions as if it were connected to ChatGPT.
With theFarm Computer,players can now view the detailed production status of each area separately. All they need to do is craft dedicated devices for each zone, and they’re good to go.
1The Farmhouse Can Be Moved
Say Hello to Peak Customization
The best quality-of-life upgrade inStardew Valley 1.6isthe ability to move the farmhouse. Before this update, players could customize 99% of their farm, with the remaining 1% being the immovable, large farmhouse at the top. However, thanks to a new feature, players can now place their headquarters anywhere on Grandpa’s land, allowing for anever-before-seen layout.
Even more excitingly, players can now change the style of Cabins on the farm, ensuring that each player joining their world has a distinct house. (A significant win for fans of customization.)
