Call for Proposal: The Psychgeist of Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a simulation role-playing video game single-handedly developed by Eric Barone (ConcernedApe). This delightful game has players take the role of someone burned out on corporate, city life, who takes an inheritance of a farm offered by their grandfather to try out a new pace of life. The player engages in farming and foraging activities, as well as has opportunities to build relationships with townspeople and support the local ecosystem or the giant mega-corp trying to take over the area. In this volume, we will explore psychological concepts related to the story, gameplay, and culture of Stardew Valley.

This book is part of The Psychgeist of Pop Culture collection published by ETC Press. This book series highlights iconic pop culture content from television, film, literature, and video games by examining the psychological mechanisms that endear us to these stories for a lifetime.

Chapters in this book will explore a psychological theme or concept related to Stardew Valley. Several possible themes and topics are listed below, but do not consider this list exhaustive. You can feel free to propose a different combination of episode/topic than those listed below:

• "Welcome to Stardew Valley: Understanding the Allure of Virtual Farming"
• "The Role of Goal-setting and Achievement in Stardew Valley's Positive Feedback Loop"
• "From City Stress to Country Bliss: Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Stardew Valley"
• "Virtual Relationships, Real Emotions: Analyzing Social Dynamics in the Valley"
• "Harvesting Happiness: The Psychology of Achievement and Fulfillment in Stardew Valley"
• "Unearthing the Mine: The Psychological Impact of Risk and Reward in Adventuring"
• "The Joja Corporation and the Rat Race: Critiquing Stardew Valley's Reflection of Capitalism"
• "Gifting and Gratitude: How Generosity Builds Stronger Connections in the Valley"
• "Time Flies in Stardew Valley: Examining the Impact of Seasonal Cycles on Player Psychology"
• "Beyond the Screen: Translating Lessons from Stardew Valley into Real-Life Wellbeing"
• "A Place to Call Home: The Psychology of Creating a Sense of Belonging in Pelican Town"
• "Finding Balance: Analyzing the Role of Time Management and Burnout in Stardew Valley"
• "Virtual Escapism: Understanding How Stardew Valley Fulfills Psychological Needs"
• "Artistic Expression and Self-Discovery: The Impact of Creative Outlets in the Valley"
• "From Novice to Expert: The Learning Curve and Mastery in Stardew Valley"
• "Exploring the Unknown: The Psychological Thrill of Discovering Secrets and Easter Eggs"
• "Friend or Foe: The Psychology of Facing Monsters in the Mines"
• "Stardew Valley and Mental Health: Coping Mechanisms and Stress Reduction Strategies"
• "Community and Cooperation: The Social Psychology of Multiplayer Gameplay"
• "The Enduring Legacy: Examining the Longevity and Nostalgia of Stardew Valley"
• "Beyond the Binary: Exploring LGBTQ+ Representation in Stardew Valley"
• "Finding Acceptance in Pelican Town: Queer Themes and Inclusivity"
• "Love Knows No Boundaries: Examining Relationships and Identity in the Valley"
• "From Solo Dream to Pixelated Reality: The Journey of Developing Stardew Valley as a One-Person Studio"
• "Wearing Multiple Hats: The Challenges and Triumphs of Being a Solo Developer in Stardew Valley's Creation"
• "Coding, Art, and Beyond: Unraveling the Secrets of Solo Game Development in Stardew Valley"