Stardew Valley Player Finds Punishing Secret Added In 1.6 Update

Stardew Valley's highly anticipated 1.6 update rolled out on 19th March 2024 for PC, with a console and mobile release coming soon. Players have been sinking their teeth into the new content and features and inspecting the changelog (patch notes) to learn of the many bug fixes added to the game.

However, two subsequent patches were released to address additional issues experienced by players; however, the update did add a haunting secret for them to discover. One player has gone viral for figuring out this secret, revealing it to be a brutal punishment and warning for the others.

According to a Reddit post, user Snail51 briefly wrote that they discovered this secret after "messing around" in-game. Initially, they thought it was part of the base game; however, to their horror, they eventually learned it was included in the 1.6 update, for which a YouTube link was enclosed in the post.

For players, developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone added this secret, which concerns a popular game exploit for those who decided to cheat to reach The Summit prematurely. If successful, they'll be met with a brand new cutscene; instead of getting one of the many confirmed cutscenes, a new one will appear with the area shrouded in grim yet foreboding red skies.

They'll be greeted by Mister Qi, who speaks these haunting words for those who get to The Summit illegitimately.

Well, well, well. Look who 'made it' to The Summit.

Thought you were so clever, didn't you? How can I cheat the system for my own benefit, you thought?

Or, in layman's terms: Me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me.

Despicable.

Mister Qi then quickly approaches the player before it cuts to black before their name is mentioned, followed by "Easy, now... take it slow." They'll find themselves on the floor being greeted by Harvey at the clinic, where he explained that they were found "unconscious and battered" and an emergency procedure was conducted on them.

Harvey warns them to be careful next time, as they'll likely be exhausted, hungry, and thirsty and receive a medical bill. Additionally, any items they had on them when reaching The Summit will be lost, so Stardew Valley players, you've been warned!