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How to turn off flashing in Stardew Valley

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Before your child plays, go to Options > Graphics and untick Show Flash Effects. That turns off lightning flashes. But bomb flashes in the mines may not be fully covered, so if your child is photosensitive, keep reading. Full scores are on our Stardew Valley game page.

What the setting covers, and what it might not

• Lightning: Lightning flashes during storms. The Show Flash Effects setting turns them off (Stardew Wiki).
• Bombs in the mines: The setting should cover bomb flashes too, according to the Stardew Wiki. But on the Stardew forum, a player with epilepsy reported seeing bomb flashes, and the developer’s reply asked whether bombs were affected by the setting. We haven’t confirmed the answer on every console. If your child is photosensitive, treat the mines as optional, or skip bombs.
• On PC only: A community mod, “A Less Flashy Stardew,” can remove more animations. It works on PC only.

Other sensory notes

• Screen shake: It has its own intensity slider, so you can turn it down.
• Timers: 1 out of 3. There are no time-limited tasks, but an in-game clock runs every day, and your character passes out at 2:00 AM.
• Stopping: 2 out of 3. The game only saves when you go to bed at the end of an in-game day. Quitting earlier loses that day’s progress, so agree to stop at bedtime in the game.
• Scary: 2 out of 3 in the mines. Your child fights monsters with weapons there, which Steady Strides says can be too intense for some kids. Farming and town life don’t need the mines.
• Strangers: Online co-op is optional, for up to 4 players.
• Reading: 1 out of 3. A moderate amount, and some text is very small.
• Still unknown: sudden loud sounds, failure in farming, and difficulty.

Calmer games with no flashes listed

• A Short Hike: no flashes, low pressure, saves at any time.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons: island life, generally free of flashing in the base game, and it saves at any time.
• Paleo Pines: a gentle dinosaur ranch game. Flashing is unknown, but you can set Day Length to Relaxed to slow the clock.

FAQ

Where is the flash setting in Stardew Valley?

Options > Graphics > untick “Show Flash Effects.” Do it before your child starts playing.

Does Stardew Valley have flashing lights?

Yes: lightning flashes and bomb flashes. Lightning can be turned off. Bomb flashes may not be fully covered by the same setting, and we’re still checking.

Is Stardew Valley OK for autistic kids?

Many kids enjoy the farming and town life, which has no time-limited tasks. Things to plan for are the daily clock, saving only at bedtime in the game, and the optional mines, which are more intense.

How do I get my child to stop playing Stardew Valley?

Because it only saves at the end of an in-game day, agree to stop when their character goes to bed. Stopping halfway through a day loses that day’s progress.

What age is Stardew Valley for?

It’s rated E10+.

More reading: Games with no flashing lights · Games with no timers