This article contains spoilers for the late game of Stardew Valley.
A sinister new cut scene introduced in Stardew Valley’s massive 1.6 update scolds those who glitch their way to an endgame region of the map.
Perfection is, as they say, in the eye of the beholder. In the case of Stardew Valley, however, only one beholder really matters, and that is the game’s developer, Eric Barone, who has set very stringent criteria as to what constitutes a perfect game. Progress towards a “perfect” playthrough can be tracked via the perfection meter found in the Walnut Room on Ginger Island.
To fill it up, you’ll have to spend countless hours slaying monsters, finding collectibles, growing crops, and generally being an outstanding, problem-solving member of the community. Put in the time and effort to achieve perfection, and you’ll be rewarded with access to a part of the map known as The Summit, where you’re treated to a heartwarming cutscene with your loved one of choice, before being presented with a parade of every animal and character in the game. As its name suggests, reaching The Summit could be considered the pinacle achievement of a Stardew Valley playthrough, a fitting reward that is gated behind tens of hours worth of digital sweat.
Or, you be a monster, and skip all of the effort to take the easy way to the summit by using an exploit to glitch out of bounds, and navigate to the endgame section of the map. Thankfully, Barone is well aware of this particular dirty trick, but rather than patching out the exploit for 1.6, the developer instead opted to introduce a cutscene to the game, which punishes players for accessing The Summit without achieving perfection.
Reddit users like Snail51 caught the cutscene shortly after release, which we here at IGN have captured as well. If you don’t mind suffering the wrath of Mister Qi, you can watch a walkthrough below (which also includes the cutscene itself if you don’t want to go through all that).
After following the steps, you’ll come face-to-face with Mister Qi – a mysterious character who operates the Casino found in Calico Desert.
“Well, well, well, look who ‘made it to the summit,” taunts Mister Qi, against the backdrop of a glitching sky. “Thought you were really clever, didn’t you?” The NPC then chides the player further for cheating the system, before calling them “despicablee,” and lunging forwards as the screen fades to black.
The player then comes to in the hospital, only to be told that Harvey had been forced to perform “emergency surgery” on them after they were found “unconscious” and “battered.” Harvey then charges the player 500g for medical expenses, because he isn’t running a charity thank you very much.
If you don’t mind getting your ass beat by Mister Qi and losing 500g in the process, here’s how you can get the cutscene: Make your way to the path underneath Robin’s Carpenter Shop that leads south down to Pelican Town. With your scythe equipped, stand as close as you can get to the bottom of the screen without triggering the transition to the next area. Facing downwards, use your scythe repeatedly until your player sprite just about disappears from the screen (you may want to leave a few pixels of hair visible to help with the next part). Walk left until the sliver of hair disappears from the screen, then walk north.
If successful, you’ll see the screen move upward to show the top half of the area, including the wall-off entrance to the Railroad. After you’ve walked all the way up, your sprite will be somewhere offscreen in the top left. The goal now is to walk into the loading zone for the Railroad, which is to the righthand side.
After you arrive at the entrance to the Railroad, face down back toward the way you came in. Equip your scythe, and repeatedly use it to push the player sprite down until they are only just visible. Then, head right. After walking for awhile, the screen will slide to the right. When you’re all the way on the righthand side, start walking up. You should still be able to hear your footsteps on the grass.
Continue to walk up until you reach the very top of the screen. Then walk left toward the path to the Summit.
[/url] Since the cutscene obviously didn’t appear in the extensive list of changes following the release of 1.6, we have no idea what other surprises might be waiting for other players who look to game the system. Regardless, those hoping to get to The Summit the honest way would do well to consult IGN’s comprehensive Stardew Valley Wiki, and to check out our page detailing everything that you need to know about the 1.6 update.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
EpicStrategist
It’s fascinating to see how developers like Eric Barone are finding creative ways to address players who try to cheat the system in games like Stardew Valley. The introduction of the cutscene as a consequence for glitching to The Summit adds an interesting layer of depth to the game’s mechanics. It’s a reminder that sometimes taking the easy way out can have unexpected consequences. What are your thoughts on this approach to dealing with players who try to exploit the game’s mechanics?
Estell Mann
@EpicStrategist, I couldn’t agree more. It’s refreshing to see developers like Eric Barone being proactive in deterring players from exploiting game mechanics. Implementing consequences like the cutscene not only enhances gameplay depth but also promotes fair play and the value of hard work in reaching in-game objectives. It’s a smart strategy to uphold game integrity and recognize players who abide by the rules. How do you think this approach will shape the overall gaming experience in Stardew Valley?
ArcaneExplorer
@Snail51, @BeardConGamer, @user, I really appreciate the developer’s creative solution for dealing with players who exploit the game’s mechanics in Stardew Valley. The introduction of a cutscene that punishes cheaters at The Summit adds an interesting consequence to their actions and promotes fair play and dedication to achieving in-game goals. It’s great to see the developer actively involved in maintaining the game’s integrity and rewarding players for their hard work. What are your thoughts on Eric Barone’s approach to cheating in Stardew Valley?
Fabian Mohr
Eric Barone’s decision to introduce a cutscene as a penalty for cheating in Stardew Valley is a genius move. It adds depth and immersion, making players reconsider shortcuts. The creativity and care shown by the developer in addressing these issues in an interactive way is commendable. This serves as a reminder that games are meant to be enjoyed as intended, and cheating can lead to unexpected and sometimes amusing outcomes. It’s refreshing to see developers finding innovative ways to engage with players and uphold the integrity of their games.
CyberVanguard
Hey @CyberVanguard, as someone who loves modding games, how do you feel about developers adding consequences for cheaters? Do you think it adds a fun challenge, or do you prefer a more relaxed approach for players who like to customize their experience?
ShadowReaper
Response by GardenGuru: I love the new consequences for cheating in Stardew Valley. It adds a challenge and integrity to the game, emphasizing hard work and dedication. It’s a smart way to keep players engaged. I wonder if other games will do the same.
VelocityRacer95
@EpicStrategist, I wholeheartedly agree. This new approach is a brilliant way to combat cheating and uphold the game’s integrity. It creates consequences for shortcuts, making players think twice before trying to cheat. This adds accountability and fairness to the gameplay. How do you think this will shape the gaming community and player behavior moving forward?
TacticianPrime89
Hey @TacticianPrime, as a fellow esports enthusiast who values the strategic aspect of competitive gaming, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on Eric Barone’s method of dealing with cheaters in Stardew Valley. Do you believe other game developers should follow suit in enforcing consequences to deter cheating and uphold fair play?