Stardew Valley 1.7: Why Clint's New Romance Option Is a Controversial Choice

A decade of tending crops and building a community is a monumental legacy. For Stardew Valley, its 10th anniversary wasn't just a look back, but a surprising glimpse into a vibrant future. In a celebratory video, solo developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone made a bombshell announcement for the upcoming 1.7 update: two new marriage candidates are joining the roster. While one is a beloved fan-favorite finally getting her due, the other has ignited a fierce debate. The arrival of Sandy from the Calico Desert is a victory lap for player wishes. The inclusion of Clint, the town's awkward blacksmith, however, has players asking a tough question: is romancing him the update's "wrong choice"?

The Announcement in Context

The reveal was quintessential ConcernedApe: humble and direct. At the conclusion of a video chronicling the game's journey from early "Sprout Valley" builds to a phenomenon that sold nearly 40,000 copies on its first day, Barone opened an envelope labeled "1.7 Marriage Candidates." He emphasized the update is "currently in the works," with no set release date, as development continues alongside his next project, Haunted Chocolatier.

This underscores a remarkable decade of post-launch support. The 1.7 update isn't just adding features; it's adding new dimensions to Pelican Town's social fabric, for better or worse, and the community's reaction has been split from the start.

The Fan Favorite: Sandy from the Calico Desert

For many players, Sandy's inclusion is the uncontested good news. As the cheerful proprietor of the Oasis store, she has existed for years as a friendly but static NPC—a character full of untapped story potential. Her popularity as a romance candidate is a fulfilled prophecy. During planning for the 1.1 update, Barone held a community poll. Sandy garnered over 20% of the vote, demonstrating a clear and enduring player desire to know the woman behind the desert counter.

Her appeal is multifaceted. She represents a connection to the game's more mysterious regions. Romancing Sandy promises new storylines woven into the desert, the Wizard's Tower, and the Skull Cavern. In the context of 1.7, Sandy is a straightforward gift to the community—a long-awaited resolution to a fan-driven campaign.

The Problematic Pick: The Case Against Clint

If Sandy's announcement was met with cheers, Clint's was met with surprise, skepticism, and vocal criticism. Clint is not a new quantity. For ten years, he has been defined as the town's struggling, socially anxious blacksmith and, more notably, by his painfully unrequited crush on Emily.

This established history is the core of the controversy. Clint's interactions often frame him as possessive and mired in a "nice guy" mentality, especially in heart events where the player romances Emily. Dialogue where he laments his fate and awkwardly projects his feelings has left a sour taste for a significant part of the player base. The question isn't just about adding a new bachelor; it's about whether the community wants to romance a character whose canonical personality has been a source of frustration.

Does making Clint a marriage candidate reward his often problematic behavior, or is it an opportunity for redemption? The community is split. Some see it as a chance for Barone to flesh out Clint, giving him a growth arc that moves him beyond his defining obsession. Others argue his foundational traits make him an inherently flawed romantic partner, especially in a game where other candidates offer healthier dynamics from the outset.

A Developer's Pattern: Reinvention, Not Just Addition

To understand Barone's potential approach, the other reveals in the anniversary video are instructive. The showcase of early builds and substantial cut content—like a fully conceptualized Goblin Village—illustrates a key tenet of Stardew Valley's development: evolution and reinvention.

Barone's creative process has always involved revisiting and reworking ideas. This history suggests Clint's new romance option is unlikely to be a simple addition. Instead, it may be a deliberate narrative reinvention, a chance to fundamentally reshape a character players think they know. This directly fuels the central debate: is 1.7 offering a redemption arc for a flawed man, or asking players to engage with a deliberately uncomfortable choice?

The update, therefore, is positioned as another layer in the game's legacy—one that isn't afraid to confront the imperfections of its own world.

Conclusion: The Right Choice Might Be a Harder One

The dual marriage announcements of Update 1.7 perfectly encapsulate Stardew Valley's enduring journey. Sandy represents the harmonious dialogue between creator and community, a dream realized. Clint represents the artistic choice to explore the grittier, less romanticized corners of small-town life.

Framing him as the "wrong choice" may miss the point. His inclusion appears to be a deliberate narrative challenge, an invitation to either seek a redemption arc for a flawed man or to critically engage with why he makes us uncomfortable. It promises a romance that isn't just about escapist fantasy, but about engaging with realistic human complexity.

So, is Clint the "wrong choice"? For ConcernedApe, it seems the right choice was to give us a harder one—ensuring that even after a decade, Pelican Town can still surprise, challenge, and make us think.

Tags: Stardew Valley, Update 1.7, ConcernedApe, Clint, Sandy