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I still can't quite believe it's real but it really is. The casual farming game Stardew Valley just became something of an esport with a new competition with a $40,000 prize.

Stardew creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has teamed up with Zach "Unsurpassable Z" Hartman to host the tournament which will be live on Hartman's Twitch channel on September 4 starting at 09:00 PST / 16:00 UTC. It's a celebration of the game and some of the top speedrunners and creators in the community.

For a game that's supposed to be about chilling-out, doing a little farming and possible a little romance, having a competitive event might seem a little odd but quite probably thoroughly entertaining too thanks to over 100 challenges that have been set for the event. Instead of trying to speedrun through, each team has a few hours to complete as many of the challenges as possible with each worth a different amount of points. There will also be additional challenges thrown in every 30 minutes that teams won't know until they happen.

The prize isn't just for the winner though, with it being split between all teams and the money has been supplied directly by Stardew creator Eric Barone.

See the below video for all the details:

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Each team will also be livestreaming their own run, so you can watch whoever you like.

I must admit I'm thoroughly curious to see how it goes, might even watch it.

You can buy Stardew Valley from Humble StoreGOG or Steam

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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10 comments

dziadulewicz Aug 24, 2021
Cities: Skylines also has initiated as an eSport!

https://linuxgameconsortium.com/red-bull-metropolis-announced-for-cities-skylines/

Good to see different genres in it now.
Nibelheim Aug 24, 2021
Farming Simulator is esport too. So not surprised.
Nezchan Aug 24, 2021
Quoting: dziadulewiczCities: Skylines also has initiated as an eSport!

https://linuxgameconsortium.com/red-bull-metropolis-announced-for-cities-skylines/

Good to see different genres in it now.


In fact I watched a Cities Skylines competition (sponsored by Red Bull) over on The Spiffing Brit's channel over the weekend. I imagine this will run in similar fashion, competitors will connect to remote machines set up at various stages of the game and players have to fulfill challenges with those situations. The one I watched was population growth, building a beautiful university, building a beautiful park, increasing cycling, and improving traffic flow.

Not exactly edge of your seat stuff, but entertaining enough.
Purple Library Guy Aug 24, 2021
This just seems wrong.
On the other hand, it reminds me of an old Far Side cartoon . . . the "100 meter mosey".
BielFPs Aug 24, 2021
Seeing things like this becoming "e-sports" makes me think that an idea of some "e-olimpics" in the future may be actually plausible.
Kimyrielle Aug 24, 2021
This is probably the last game I ever expected to go e-sports. It's strange, because Stardew Valley is about the most non-competitive game in existence. But humans have that tendency to turn really everything into a "I am better than you!!!" competition, so it's not totally surprising me, either.
Mal Aug 24, 2021
  • Supporter
Frankly speaking, I'm disappointed.

I really expected the winner of the Stardew Valley competition to receive the payment in kind.


Last edited by Mal on 25 August 2021 at 9:03 am UTC
ElectricPrism Aug 24, 2021
Caesar III eSport in 3... 2... :P

Also where's the Super Tux Kart Annual eSport Tournament?
whizse Aug 24, 2021
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  • Supporter
Quoting: NibelheimFarming Simulator is esport too. So not surprised.
Tractor pulling?
Nibelheim Aug 25, 2021
Quoting: whizse
Quoting: NibelheimFarming Simulator is esport too. So not surprised.
Tractor pulling?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt04Pe6OI8I
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