Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone is a video game developer, video game designer, artist, composer, and musician best known for being the sole creator and programmer behind the smash hit Stardew Valley. He is hard at work on his next video game, Haunted Chocolatier.

Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, Ryan Novak has been a gamer almost since he learned to walk, having cut his teeth on an Atari 2600 joystick. His writing credits include the Stardew Valley Guidebook and the Hollow Knight Wanderer's Journal; he has also contributed to many other video game-related books as an editor, producer, or whatever the situation calls for. He still lives in northeast Ohio with his partner, Kari Fry, along with several dozen plush cats (which are far easier and cheaper to take care of than real cats).