Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

polygon.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 333 posts

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#81

Post by rexpop »

tkiley wrote: post #19
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 substantial…

Hey, look at it this way: Capitalism in healthcare does drive a better consumer experience!

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#83

Post by mlindner »

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...

RimWorld doesn't really compare. The world is dead comparatively.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#84

Post by felipemnoa »

Pfhreak wrote: post #44
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 almost certainly use some sort of version control, like all novice programmers do, right? -- copying files/directories, creating backups, etc. (MyProject02.old.bak.zip).

I'd be surprised if that is not the case. No way they could have gotten this far without at least this minimum level of version control.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#85

Post by mlindner »

avereveard wrote: post #74
chobeat wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rimworld is kinda lame if you've played DF. They are not even comparable.

how so? the production chain is almost as deep. the damage model it's close in detail, and it's not terribly broken (whips anyone?) which should count as far as features go. you can actually caravan, explore people and exterminate faction without being restricted into adventure mode. and when you ask a neighbor for something in the caravan, you get what you asked. weather and climate is much more prominent, including…

* Simplistic world generation that doesn't really have a concept of weather or geography/climate.

* No liquid simulation (water/lava) with little physics simulation (falling/flying objects etc)

* Simplistic combat simulation

* No world politics simulation that dictates what happens in the world

* No 3D is the biggest one. RimWorld is Dwarf Fortress as it was a decade ago with a single 2D sheet.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#86

Post by chobeat »

avereveard wrote: post #74
chobeat wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rimworld is kinda lame if you've played DF. They are not even comparable.

how so? the production chain is almost as deep. the damage model it's close in detail, and it's not terribly broken (whips anyone?) which should count as far as features go. you can actually caravan, explore people and exterminate faction without being restricted into adventure mode. and when you ask a neighbor for something in the caravan, you get what you asked. weather and climate is much more prominent, including…

the problem with rimworld is that there's too much micro and that the amount of emergent behavior is extremely limited compared to DF. There's no freedom to create and there's no serendipity. There's randomness but it's not nearly the same thing.

Rimworld took DF and removed all the innovative elements to fit it into a more traditional base building game. Then yes, if you restrict yourself to some very specific elements of gameplay they can be comparable but you don't play DF for the production chains.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#87

Post by chimeracoder »

tom_ wrote: post #54
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.

> 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.

All they need to do is to compress those folders with zlib, and then they've reinvented git.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#88

Post by mlindner »

Gene_Parmesan wrote: post #55
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.

It's good but it doesn't have the same kind of emergent feel that DF has. It feels a lot less alive compared to DF.

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#89

Post by AdmiralAsshat »

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…

Copy of Copy of Copy of DFSource.zip

Re: Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam with graphics

#90

Post by munk-a »

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…

Uh... as an American/Canadian dualie I can state that this simply isn't the case. The reports of timeliness are mostly tied to super rich folks that would get treatment faster in the states because they'd cut in line in front of people who need that treatment more. Up here healthcare is prioritized based on need.

The clause about barring excessive health costs isn't unreasonable, Canada, as a country, is basically an insurer and is being dickish about letting people with pre-existing conditions onto their insurance who haven't paid into it, this is a defense against the US's broken system that would encourage all sick citizens to flee to Canada. That said when I immigrated I had several long term health issues that posed no barrier to entry and the cases where this is enforced are rather rare.

Canadian healthcare is perfectly fine, but it isn't your rebound date when the US healthcare fails you. People shouldn't immigrate just to take advantage of the system.

All that said, I am hopeful you guys will get Medicare for all down there and actually cut your costs-per-patient and enable people to be more free to pursue their individual liberties.

Post reply on HN