Stardew Valley QoL Wishlist: Pronouns, Speed & More for 2026

• Stardew Valley's 1.7 update is confirmed to bring two new marriage candidates (Sandy, Clint), a fresh farm layout, and nuanced tweaks to how children grow within the game.
• Despite the upcoming official content, players on platforms like the Switch are increasingly vocal about the need for further Quality of Life (QoL) updates, which PC/Steam Deck users often enjoy via robust modding communities.
• Key community desires span fundamental gameplay tweaks such as a much-needed walk speed boost and more accessible fishing mechanics, extending to deeper social options like nonbinary pronoun choices and the introduction of polyamorous relationships.
• The game continues to hold a revered status among critics and players alike, with "In Game News" and the original source author awarding it top marks, making any official additions massively appreciated by its dedicated fanbase.

As Lead Tech Analyst here at In Game News, I've seen my share of updates, patches, and wishlists. Few games, however, maintain the kind of universal adoration that Stardew Valley commands. We're all buzzing about the upcoming 1.7 update, and rightly so. ConcernedApe is dropping some serious fresh content, with Sandy and Clint inexplicably joining the ranks of marriage candidates, a whole new farm to till, and some welcome adjustments to how our pixelated progeny develop. It’s a 10/10 game in our books, as our official Stardew Valley review states, and for one of our veteran writers, it’s a 100/10 experience.

But let's be real: while we appreciate every single crumb ConcernedApe tosses our way – especially given the base game's price versus, say, Animal Crossing's $60 tag – we're always thinking about what more could make this farming sim even better. PC and Steam Deck players have the luxury of mods to patch up some of these gaps, but us Switch players? We're often left in the dust. So, without further ado, let's talk about ten quality-of-life additions we’d love to see make their way to the base game.

Ten Things Stardew Valley Needs Next

Walk Speed Boost

This is probably the most requested QoL change for a reason. Early game Stardew Valley feels like a marathon in molasses. Sure, we eventually get warp totems, shortcuts, and the Way of the Wind books to permanently boost speed in the late game. But in those crucial early hours, when every minute counts for farming, foraging, and socializing, it’s agonizingly slow. We have places to be, people to see, and crops to water! While mods like CJB Cheats Menu fix this instantly for PC players, a subtle official boost – perhaps through foraging or more readily available, longer-lasting consumables – would be a game-changer for everyone. ConcernedApe even joked about a 'Way of the Wind part 100' in the 10th-anniversary video; frankly, we'd appreciate it becoming real.

Even More Romance Options

Okay, so we just got Sandy and Clint. That’s… something. But come on, there’s a whole village of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes who deserve some love. Marnie, despite her obvious thing with Mayor Lewis, would be a fantastic addition. And what about the less-talked-about, but equally intriguing, characters like Marlon, Gunther, Willy, or even The Wizard? They've got jobs, hobbies, and in Gunther’s case, an absolutely killer bright blue ensemble. It’s time to get these folks out of their respective houses more, especially Gunther, who’s practically trapped behind the library counter 24/7. Give us more options to spread the love!

A Shortcut to the Bus

Do we really need to explain this one? Time is of the absolute essence when you’re planning a Skull Cavern run. We've got community upgrades from Robin that unlock shortcuts from Cindersap Forest to the beach, town to beach, mountains to town, and even the bus stop to Robin's house. All great, but what about the farm to the bus? A quick, direct detour would save precious in-game hours, letting us maximize those critical dungeon crawls. It’s a small tweak that would pay massive dividends for any player focused on min-maxing their Skull Cavern trips.

Give Our Player Character a Birthday

We spend so much time showering everyone else with gifts on their birthdays, boosting friendships and experiencing unique cutscenes. But what about us, the hero of Pelican Town? Why don't we get a visit from Gus with a cake, or Emily showing up with a cool, handmade present? We get a Feast of the Winter Star present, sure, but so does everyone else. It feels a little unfair not to have our own special day acknowledged. Let us celebrate our character's existence, darnit!

Add NPC Locations to Maps

This is a common frustration point in many life sims. Trying to hunt down a specific character to deliver a birthday gift or complete a quest can be an absolute nightmare if they're not at their usual haunts. Animal Crossing also suffers from this design choice. While PC players can mod Stardew Valley to show NPC locations, us Switch players are out of luck. Imagine the QoL boost if little markers on the map showed us exactly where each character was. The source even provides a screenshot from a modded game, showing just how seamless and helpful this could be in the base game.

Nonbinary Pronouns

In its unmodded form, Stardew Valley limits players to a binary gender choice and associated pronouns. While the game did release a decade ago, modern titles are far more inclusive. Games like Animal Crossing (yes, it’s coming up again), Coral Island, and Fields of Mistria either offer no set gender, aren't restrictive, or provide a wider range of pronoun options. In 2026, it's time for Stardew Valley to catch up and allow players to choose nonbinary pronouns, reflecting a more diverse player base and modern gaming expectations.

Polyamory

Who hasn't been there? You've racked up ten hearts with multiple eligible romance options, perhaps even given out a few bouquets, only to realize you can only marry one. The ensuing drama, with negative speech options and annoyed ex-flames, can be a real buzzkill. Sometimes, you just want more love in your life, and the fact that polyamory mods boast millions of downloads tells you everything you need to know. Why can’t we properly romance more than one candidate? What if we want Sebastian and Abigail by our side, sharing hair tips and adventures? Let it happen, ConcernedApe!

Difficulty Settings for Fishing

As a certified Stardew Valley fishing hater, I can personally attest to the frustration this mini-game causes. Anything beyond a minnow is a struggle. The mechanic simply doesn't gel with my brain-to-hand connection, especially with those tiny Joy-Con buttons. Even on PC with a mouse, it's a grind. We meekly ask for some way to make it easier – perhaps a specific setting called 'Fishing Game Haters' mode, or an alternative way to catch fish. It's been ten years, but hope springs eternal for a less maddening fishing experience.

A Perfection Tracker

Getting to 100% perfection in Stardew Valley is a monumental undertaking. It’s not just about farming; it involves securing the expensive golden clock, maxing out every skill, unearthing every stardrop, and yes, catching every single bloody fish. While you can check your perfection score in the Walnut Room on Ginger Island, making that trek just to glance at a number is a hassle. A dedicated tab in the menu or an item on our own farm that tracks what we have and haven't done would be a massive QoL improvement. It would streamline the late-game grind and make the journey to perfection far less opaque.

Leeway for Passing Out on My Farm

This is the ultimate late-game slap in the face. You’re crawling to your bed, literally a foot from your front door or your mattress, and the clock strikes 2 AM. Boom, you pass out, lose money, and wake up with a debuff. If we’re *on our farm* and within spitting distance of our bed, that should count as making it home. We’re there, we made it! Maybe we just wanted a glass of water before hitting the sack. Let a gal live and survive if she’s less than a foot from her bed when the clock strikes two. It's a small change that would fix a universally annoying mechanic.

So, there you have it. My thoughts, and frankly, a lot of the community’s thoughts, on what could, should, and perhaps may still come to the base game in the future. The 1.7 update is exciting, but these QoL changes would truly cement Stardew Valley's status as a farming sim that continually evolves with its player base. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm still reeling from the announcement of Clint as a romance option, though…