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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

#51

Post by billfruit »

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 heard some people recommend Oxygen Not Included, as also being in a similar vein, albeit at a smaller scale(ie, you have only 2 or 3 people in your colony), but with nice visuals (Klei are generally good with the animations, most things are animated, machines have cranks and pinions that move, water and other liquids actually flow with gravity, and visuals match the simulation as far as I have seen). ONI has a somewhat detailed array of systems like electrical wiring, plumbing( separate systems different for liquids and gases, with pumps, sumps, valves, etc), thermal management, people management (food, sleep, breathing air quality, lighting, waste management, morale, etc.)

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#52

Post by jandrese »

shrimp_emoji wrote: post #36
bradford wrote: post #18

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 d…

Multithread w h e n ??? Also, early embark setup fatigue is real. Setup the stockpiles. Plan the rooms. Have the plans outpace your current productivity and have it take way too long. Do this every time. Once that's over, though, you get to enjoy sorting through droves of migrants, assigning each to the tasks they're most appropriate to or which need the most dwarves right now (the game actually approximates this aut…

Multithread never. You know in your heart of hearts that DF wasn't built with modularity in mind and that the code is a horrific mess of dependencies everywhere and making it multithreaded would require a near complete rewrite of the system.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#54

Post by tom_ »

umvi wrote: post #35

One thing that amazes me about Dwarf Fortress is that the creator(s) don't use version control[1] (as of 2014, things may have changed): "I don't use version control -- I didn't like the feeling of having the code get committed into a black box thingy with no immediate upside." I can't fathom how you can manage the complexity of a game like DF without a VCS. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1avszc/im_tarn_a…

They take backups, name each folder based on the date, and what feature that was just completed (or just about to be started) that prompted the backup. I bet you a pound.

This is what everybody that says they don't use version control does.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#55

Post by Gene_Parmesan »

Pfhreak wrote: post #50

I've often wondered if DF will ever get an open source version that tries to recreate the same experience but focuses on consistent interface design, performance and multithreading, and ease of extensibility. DF has a huge head start, and two of the most incredibly passionate developers out there, but it's also clear they prioritize expanding the model first and foremost rather than trying to tackle any of the user e…

Rimworld is kind of this. It's obviously a different, far more accessible experience. But I can't help but feel like it took much of its inspiration from this very idea of making a DF with much better UX.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#57

Post by jandrese »

soneca wrote: post #40

I always read about Dwarf Fortress in HN and it always interested me. But some elements, like the ASCII art, always seemed to me as entry barriers purposefully built to maintain a protected subculture that I had no interest in being part of. I just wanted to try out a good game. So this comes as good news to me, I'll probably give it a try now with the tile graphics.

IMHO, the graphics aren't nearly as much of a barrier as the interface. If you just install DF and open it up you will be overwhelmed and there's no help system holding your hand. The word "inscrutable" gets tossed around a lot with Dwarf Fortress, because it is the prefect encapsulation of the first time player's experience.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#58

Post by fzeroracer »

drak0n1c wrote: post #49
novok wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since they live around Seattle, maybe they should consider immigrating a few hundred miles north to Canada? They might qualify under the self-employed artist category? https://www.settler.ca/english/immigration-to-canada-for-art...

If you are able to pay, American healthcare can be higher quality and more timely than Canadian care. Especially the hospitals and doctors in and around Seattle. That's why wealthy Canadians come to the US for some treatments. The hope is that they earn enough from the Steam royalties (which should happen given the popular rumor and storytelling around the game among gamers). Also, Canada has medical requirements and…

This is not particularly true. It's not just wealthy Canadians, its the wealthiest of Canadians in general. Most people, even regularly wealthy Canadians, can't afford uninsured healthcare in America. We see far more people leaving the US for medical tourism than Canadians crossing the border for healthcare here.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#59

Post by 0_gravitas »

gotocake wrote: post #42
conistonwater wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> bring joy Yeah, right. I bet you'll see it in productivity statistics instead. It's as bad as Factorio.

Every friend I’ve turned onto either game was basically lost for months, then returned to the world like a shipwrecked survivor. It was all long beards and uncut hair, wild eyes and impossible tales. These games are so good they should come with rehab.

They do call it Cracktorio for a reason

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#60

Post by enticeing »

tptacek wrote: post #38
ceejayoz wrote: post #6

> But, 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. "Name one positive thing about the US health insurance setup." "Uh... it got us Dwarf Fortress with graphics, I guess?"

DF already has graphical tilesets, right? This is just a packaging of them?

The graphics are new, as far as I can tell. From a Patreon post on the same topic:

> She's contracted Mike Mayday and Meph, who've both

> been with the modding community for many years.

> Zach and I are working closely with them as they

> create a tile set that fits the game and meshes

> well with our underlying code.

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