As the driving antagonistic force inStardew Valley, Joja Corporation could make its way into ConcerndApe’s next game,Haunted Chocolatier. The twisted corporation leadsStardew Valleyplayers to essentially determine the fate of Pelican Town. While Joja Corporation has not been confirmed forHaunted Chocolatier, the possibilities unlocked if the corporation is included are endless, especially if ConcernedApe looks to one iconic property for inspiration.
In the same vein asStardew Valley,Haunted Chocolatierwill be a simulation game, but it will also include action role-playing gameplay. Players will not only run their own confectionary store, combat will be involved at some point with weapons and shields confirmed as features. Interactions with romanceable and non-romanceable NPCs have also been confirmed for ConcernedApe’s next title. Though development onHaunted Chocolatierhas been slow, ConcernedApe confirmed as recently as December 2024 that the game is still in development.
Why Joja Corporation Would Be a Great Addition to Haunted Chocolatier
Adding Joja Corporation toHaunted Chocolatiermay seem weird at first, but the opportunities the addition would introduce to the developing simulation game are incredible. Not only could Joja Corporation tieHaunted Chocolatierinto the same world asStardew Valley, but it could also lead players to make distinct choices.
InStardew Valley, players have the choiceof whether they want to buy into Joja Corp or save Pelican Town’s community center. Joja Corporation turning the Community Center into a Joja Warehouse has clear ramifications for Pelican Town. If the corporation is included inHaunted Chocolatier, players could face a similar choice, this time with their confectionary as the building in question.
While Joja Corporation does not necessarily need to be the name of theantagonistic corporate force inHaunted Chocolatier, having an outside force in addition to the supernatural creatures that have been confirmed for the game could lead to further plot development. This corporate force would also be the perfect gateway forHaunted Chocolatierto lean into the zanier aspects of confection-making. After all, the most famous chocolate factory in pop culture is controversial both in its source material and in real life.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Joja Corporation Has an Obvious Inspiration
Simply put, Joja Corporation could have its very own version of Willy Wonka’s eccentric chocolate factory. Perhaps the company attempts to buy out the player’s new confectionary shop. When denied, the ghosts of the Joja Corporation’s chocolate factory attempt to haunt the player out of their shop. The ghosts inHaunted Chocolatiercould essentially act as Joja Corp’s version ofWilly Wonka’s Oompa-Loompas. Fighting against these ghosts would introduce the action role-playing elements confirmed forHaunted Chocolatieralready.
Images released by ConcernedApe ofHaunted Chocolatiershow confectionary gameplay and various recipes. While these sweets seem to be simple, everyday chocolate,Haunted Chocolatiercouldonce again take inspiration from Willy Wonkaby making these sweets wackier. After all, Joja Corp would need a reason to want to purchase the player’s confectionary store. Perhaps the player is a world-class chocolatier, creating confections similar to Willy Wonka that can make people fly, act as a meal, or last forever. ConcernedApe would obviously have to be creative and come up with his own confections, but it would be a good motive for Joja Corporation’s attempt at a buyout.
Another reason for this buyout attempt could be the confectionary store’s location. It does not seem like the chocolate shop inHaunted Chocolatieris in Pelican Town, as images of the game seem to be in a forest region. Since the confectionary store seems to be in a different, unestablished location, ConcernedApe could easily show Joja Corp attempting to expand into a new region. PerhapsHaunted Chocolatier’s settinghas long been haunted, not just the chocolate shop itself. Though Joja Corporation has not been confirmed for ConcernedApe’s next title, this crucial aspect ofStardew Valleycould lead to wacky hijinks inHaunted Chocolatier.
