The enjoyment of a recreation that simply… retains… going

A few of my all-time favourite video games have the identical factor in widespread: regardless of how a lot time I sink into them, it appears like there’s all the time an opportunity I’ll uncover one thing new, both organically alone, or in an informal group dialogue. These video games are very clearly finite, however they’ve this ethereal “At present I Realized” high quality to them. Among the finest examples, for me anyway, is Stardew Valley — this recreation has leeegs.

Living proof, Reddit person the_changinator shared their newest discover “after 4 playthroughs” and “over 500 hours of gameplay” in Stardew Valley: the Auto-Petter.

after 4 play throughs, over 500 hours of gameplay, i lastly discovered it from StardewValley

When you’d usually need to pet your animals to type a better bond with them (and since they’re simply plain cute), overworked or overwhelmed farmers can use the Auto-Petter in coops and barns to at the least maintain their critters feeling “content material.” Who knew?

I by no means discovered this invention, and I’m sure loads of you may say the identical.

The Auto-Petter first appeared within the now-pretty-legendary 1.5 replace, and it’s tied to the conniving JojaMart questline — sort of. That’s arguably the “simple” method of getting the software. You may outright purchase it for 50,000g after ending the Joja Group Improvement Type. Or, if you happen to’re not a corpo, you may strive your luck at discovering an Auto-Petter in a chest within the Cranium Cavern. I haven’t finished the Joja quest and I by no means will. It’s not definitely worth the guilt!

(If you happen to’re decided to go the luck-based route, right here’s a useful information.)

On a healthful notice, the Auto-Petter isn’t meant as a complete substitute for hand-petting animals in Stardew Valley to lift their temper and friendship ranges; for one of the best outcomes, you’ll need to bond along with your flock as effectively. I doubt I’ll ever get this software, and that’s neat. Figuring out it even exists as a risk makes me respect this recreation much more.

I want extra video games had this group spirit

Given the gradual nature of Stardew Valley, I really feel like these tidbits are cyclical — people discover one thing cool, share it, and transfer on, just for the subsequent wave of gamers to repeat the identical cycle of tip-sharing down the road. It’s a hell of a method for a online game to remain related lengthy after its authentic launch and content material updates have come to an finish. I tremendous admire video games that may keep a vigorous and welcoming vibe during which new gamers don’t really feel closed off from asking questions and sharing well-meaning fluff. I stay for the fluff!

There are certainly methods to construct a recreation that encourages this communal conduct from the bottom up — however I really feel like one of the best ones simply appear to snowball as followers maintain the dialog going out of continued ardour. Even if you happen to’re finished actively taking part in a recreation, that doesn’t imply you’re able to cease speaking or studying about it. That’s why we’re right here.

Jordan Devore

Jordan is a founding member of Destructoid and poster of seemingly random footage. They’re something however random.