Stardew Valley's 1.6.9 update may not be as game-changing as version 1.6, but it does introduce a couple of highly requested features. Update 1.6.9 released today, November 4, across all platforms at the same time. It's the first iteration of the massive version 1.6 update to come to consoles and mobile, which was exciting enough for many players. However, the quality of life changes introduced in version 1.6.9 have also made a huge difference. One in particular stands out as the most helpful new Stardew feature in recent memory.
As of update 1.6.9, Stardew Valley players can now retrieve items they've dropped in water, according to the patch notes on the official Stardew Valley website. This is a persistent problem in Stardew - it's all too easy to accidentally plant a tree along a pond, hoping to create a nice shady spot on the farm, only for all of its wood to fall, unretrievable, into the water as soon as it's chopped down. Now, though, players actually have hope of fishing these dropped items out, even if it's only for a limited time.
Items Dropped In Water Can Now Be Recovered
Stardew's Biggest Quality Of Life Change
As of the new update, items dropped in water will briefly float before permanently sinking. Players with quick reaction times (or with 
Magnet Rings that draw dropped items in) will be able to retrieve them, as long as they get there before they sink to the bottom. This may seem like a pretty minor addition, and in terms of how rarely it'll actually come up, it kind of is. However, this has long been a requested feature, and many players, like cubisov on Reddit, recognized it as the single most important upgrade in version 1.6.9.
In an update full of massive changes - new merchants, new design features, new options for legendary fish - the top comment on the Reddit post containing the patch notes is about fishing dropped items out of bodies of water. That just goes to show how highly anticipated this feature was, as many other players, like andicandi22, lament the treasure troves they lost before this feature was instituted.
It can't be overstated how much of a lifesaver this feature will be. Even if the items sink within a second, and players are only able to retrieve them, on average, 50% of the time, they'll save so much 
Hardwood and so much grief in version 1.6.9.
Lost Items, New Dialogue, Easter Eggs And More
Everything Else In Stardew's Patch 1.6.9
Picking up items out of water isn't the only new feature introduced in 1.6.9, however; there are many other new features for players to enjoy. First and foremost, the update introduces various new Easter eggs to Stardew Valley, although exactly what they are remains to be seen. Knowing the Stardew community, most of these will likely be discovered and shared to social media within the next couple of days.
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Another exciting new feature allows players to put legendary fish into their Fish Ponds. Each fish will provide Legendary Fish Roe, and will dye the water of their pond a unique color. However, unlike other Fish Pond species, they can't reproduce. One commenter, REtroGeekery, describes their excitement at this new feature, hinting at the design potential of multicolored ponds.
This comment hints at another major feature: the ability to sleep anywhere that furniture (i.e., beds) can be placed. Most notably, this means players can put their beds in their barns or coops, and sleep amid their animals if they don't mind the smell. This was enough to inspire commenter Due-Anything-9559 to return to the game after some time away.
There's also a new merchant in version 1.6.9: the Lost Items Shop, which appears in the Lost Woods. The Lost Items Shop sells one-of-a-kind items that the player may have misplaced, thrown away, or accidentally blown up, like the 
Stardew Hero Trophy or 
Leah's Sculpture.
Other new features include tweaked dialogue and new "work portraits" for Sam and Shane while they're working at JoJaMart, showing them in their uniforms. Players will also find lots of new items in the Adventurer's Guild, Willy's shop, and Marnie's barn. Cheats are now available, too, for players who want to skip all the hard work of years one and two and go directly to being a millionaire. There are also many QoL changes, like Clint refilling the player's watering can when they upgrade it, which players like nightsofthesunkissed hailed as one of his few redeeming qualities.
Other QoL changes include things as sweeping as a UI overhaul for Fish Ponds, and things as simple as "Fixed a shirt that looked weird." With all these new changes, Stardew Valley's latest update isn't just a major upgrade for console and mobile players; it's a game-changer for everyone.
Sources: Stardew Valley, cubisov/Reddit, andicandi22/Reddit. REtroGeekery/Reddit, Due-Anything-9559/Reddit, nightsofthesunkissed/Reddit
Stardew Valley is a charming indie farming scene that took the world by storm. After inheriting a run-down farm from their grandfather, the player moves to Stardew Valley to start a new life away from the city. Grow crops, raise animals, befriend the villagers, and discover the secrets the valley has to offer.
Released February 26, 2016
Developer(s) ConcernedApe
Publisher(s) ConcernedApe
Multiplayer Local Multiplayer , Online Multiplayer
Engine Proprietary
ESRB E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
How Long To Beat 53 Hours
X|S Optimized No
File Size Xbox Series 1 GB (November 2023)
Metascore 89
Split Screen Orientation Vertical or Horizontal
Number of Players 1-4
Steam Deck Compatibility Verified
Local Co-Op Support 1-4 Players
OpenCritic Rating Mighty
English (US) ·