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Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

polygon.com

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Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#11

Post by crooked-v »

wyldfire wrote: post #5

I've never played it but it sounds like a compelling game with an in-depth model. I started out playing games on a monochome amber monitor + Hercules graphics. But I still think that going beyond ASCII characters is a nice touch that will make the game easier on the eyes. > in today’s FAQ, the pair said that they’re selling this premium version in part to pay for health care for ailing family members. That's too bad…

The gameplay model is extremely elaborate and compelling, but the UI is wildly inconsistent and vigorously inscrutable, even compared to "every key is a separate command" classics like Nethack.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#12

Post by joshstrange »

I've never been able to get into DF but I would suggest people check out RimWorld. I've heard it described as "Dwarf Fortress is Rimworld for people who hate fun" [0] and people often draw parallels between the two [1].

[0] https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/comments/7dm7j8/how_does_r...

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/comments/6xeie3/coming_ove...

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#13

Post by ssully »

crooked-v wrote: post #7

"No access to the source code" is a seriously weird thing to note. Is this going to be like one of the existing memory-injecting/manipulating mods, with all the downsides that implies?

Yeah, that's kind of weird. I think they said that to reinforce that this will be the exact same game. Thats great, but not providing the port team the source just sounds like they are trying both arms behind their back.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#15

Post by coldacid »

aresant wrote: post #9

Three points of interest: 1) Full developer announcement on their Patreon page -> https://www.patreon.com/posts/25343688 2) They are putting on steam largely because of the USA's shit healthcare system "after Zach's latest cancer scare, we determined that with my healthcare plan's copay etc., I'd be wiped out if I had to undergo the same procedures . . " 3) Cool to see that they are going to use graphics built by two…

Also in the article but buried:

4) Steam/itch.io and Katfox take a cut so if you want to really help out Zach and Tarn you should donate directly @ http://www.bay12games.com/support.html

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#16

Post by odorousrex »

aresant wrote: post #9

Three points of interest: 1) Full developer announcement on their Patreon page -> https://www.patreon.com/posts/25343688 2) They are putting on steam largely because of the USA's shit healthcare system "after Zach's latest cancer scare, we determined that with my healthcare plan's copay etc., I'd be wiped out if I had to undergo the same procedures . . " 3) Cool to see that they are going to use graphics built by two…

Incidentally, Meph has also made one of the most fantastic game enhancing DF mods out there, Masterwork Dwarf Fortress.[1]

I'm really glad to hear he is involved with this.

[1] http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=98196.0

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#17

Post by rjbwork »

joshstrange wrote: post #12

I've never been able to get into DF but I would suggest people check out RimWorld. I've heard it described as "Dwarf Fortress is Rimworld for people who hate fun" [0] and people often draw parallels between the two [1]. [0] https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/comments/7dm7j8/how_does_r... [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/comments/6xeie3/coming_ove...

I love RimWorld, and have hundreds of hours in it, but I'd say it's really more like Babby's First DF game than truly comparable to DF. It just doesn't have the depth, or capability to present a deep challenge forever. It also takes place in a single layer, whereas DF has gobs of layers.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#18

Post by bradford »

I've played DF a lot.

Biggest problem that I had is that it eventually becomes a challenge to manage the framerate. I realize there are ways to fix this that are intertwined with the gameplay, but I'd rather play the game instead of butchering kittens and other things in an effort to keep the game performant.

Second issue is with military organization. I never really became confident in my ability to get the squads doing what I wanted them to do (wearing the proper uniforms, training with a crossbow).

Despite this, I've had a lot of fun with the game. Building, farming, and managing a metal industry is a lot of fun. The barrier to entry is still pretty high, and I don't think the announced additions are going to change that.

(haven't played in the last year or two, so my criticism may be outdated)

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#19

Post by tkiley »

aresant wrote: post #9

Three points of interest: 1) Full developer announcement on their Patreon page -> https://www.patreon.com/posts/25343688 2) They are putting on steam largely because of the USA's shit healthcare system "after Zach's latest cancer scare, we determined that with my healthcare plan's copay etc., I'd be wiped out if I had to undergo the same procedures . . " 3) Cool to see that they are going to use graphics built by two…

> They are putting on steam largely because of the USA's shit healthcare system "after Zach's latest cancer scare, we determined that with my healthcare plan's copay etc., I'd be wiped out if I had to undergo the same procedures . . "

I have mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, it totally sucks.

On the other hand, I suspect that as as consequence of this crappy pressure, Dwarf Fortress will reach a substantially wider audience and bring joy to a greater number of people.

I'll be interested to see how Tarn looks back on this moment in, say, five years.

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