Stardew Valley is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since cozy players first settled into Grandpa’s old farmhouse in Pelican Town. Throughout the years, this beloved farming simulator has grown with official updates that brought new areas, multiplayer functionality, divorce options, and even the chance to drink mayonnaise.

Developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone recently provided more insights about Stardew Valley’s forthcoming significant update 1.7, which will include two non-player characters as romanceable marriage options. However, the enthusiasm was muted when players learned which characters were to be included.

Barone had hinted at fresh marriage prospects in an interview with IGN, igniting fan theories. Some were hoping for characters like the town carpenter Robin or the Wizard. The last romantic choices introduced were Shane and Emily, shortly after the game’s 2016 launch, making the new additions particularly noteworthy.

During an anniversary YouTube livestream, Barone revealed that update 1.7 will enable players to pursue romances with Sandy, who runs a shop in the Calico Desert, and Clint, the local blacksmith. The inclusion of Clint was met with considerable discontent online.

A significant number of players have an aversion to Clint due to his self-pitying demeanor and interactions with women, especially his unvoiced affection for Emily. This has led to him being branded as a creepy incel with minimal redeeming traits. Nonetheless, some players are optimistic that update 1.7 will provide Clint with a chance at redemption. Barone has recognized concerns regarding Clint’s character but has focused on other tasks.

New romantic options aren’t the only anticipated elements in the 1.7 update. Barone has suggested a new farm type and additional character/social content, although specifics are still limited. The last major update introduced features like adorning dogs with hats and “critting” babies.

No specific release date has been announced for the 1.7 update, with Barone mentioning that it’s currently in development. He aims to enhance depth without complicating the game excessively, believing that players will be satisfied with the outcome. The update will include the ability to marry Clint and Sandy, although Clint’s addition has raised some doubts.