Many systems in games work differently from real life. And I’m not talking about double jump or rocket jump. Think more conceptually. For example, the checkpoint system in games that does not exist in real life (at least no one has discovered it until now). So what’s the concept in both? Time. So let’s talk a little bit about “How Long is a Day in Stardew Valley” question.
The concept of time and day in Stardew Valley mimics reality well enough. The concept of time and day in the game is actually quite realistic. It’s one of the certain cycles that both your character and everyone/everything else in the game universe has to follow. Since it is a life and farming simulation, ALL of the dynamics in the game are tied to the day cycle.
How Day Cycle is Working in Stardew Valley
Let’s answer the question in the title first. The days in Stardew Valley last a total of 20 hours. Of course, these 20 hours are in-game time. The day starts at 6 am and continues until 2 am. Players can wake up at 6 am the next day no matter what time of day they sleep. Sleeping should be thought of as the game’s time progression mechanic. You can go to any bed and sleep to move on to the next day.
The thing you need to pay attention to about this system is your character’s energy and fatigue states. You should sleep until midnight at the latest to start the next day with full Energy and Health. If you sleep around 1 am, you will regain 3/4 of your energy, and if you sleep at 2 am, you will regain half of your energy. But remember, no matter what time you go to sleep, you will ALWAYS wake up at 6 am the next day.
Another detail you need to know about the day cycle and sleep system in Stardew Valley is the “passing out” mechanic. If you don’t sleep in a bed until 2 am, your character will automatically pass out. This is regardless of how much energy and health you have. You cannot play the four-hour period between 2 am and 6 am. If this happens, you will lose 10% of your money. If you are within the confines of your farmhouse or cottage, you start the next day in bed. But if you are not, you will be awakened by Linus, Marlon or Doctor Harvey.
Other Details About Time in Stardew Valley
As I said at the beginning of the guide, the concept of time affects many things in Stardew Valley. Let’s take a quick look at the most important of them.
In summer and spring it gets dark at 8 pm. It is 7 pm in autumn and 6 pm in winter. After this time, the number of NPCs on the streets will decrease and some workplaces working on the clock will be closed. In addition, visually, the lights of the buildings turn on, and it becomes dark outside.
The characters can be in different parts of the village depending on the time. Likewise, the opening and closing times of the shops are also determined. For example, most shops in Pelican Town open at 9am, even if you start the game at 6am.
The last thing to watch out for in Stardew Valley is the animals and fishing. Your animals go out at certain times, roam and enter the barn at certain times.
If you want to catch specific fish, you should go to those places at certain times of the day.
Last but not least, the time speed in Stardew Valley is 0.7 real second per in-game minute.
