Games for Windows Magazine: Dwarf Fortress

By: Derek Yu

On: June 29th, 2007

This month’s issue of Games for Windows has an awesome 3 page article dedicated solely to Dwarf Fortress. YES! I love the layout, too.

Very interesting to read about the dynamic between Tarn and Zach Adams and how they work together to create the Roguelike monster that is Dwarf Fortress.

Scans: Pages 1, Page 2, Page 3

(Special thanks to the DMac for the scans!)

Tarn Adams Going Full Time

By: Derek Yu

On: May 7th, 2007

Here’s something that the Something Awful guys and I can agree on: Dwarf Fortress is awesome. Which is why I was elated to hear that creator Tarn Adams (aka Toady One) has decided to go full time:

“He he he, I’ve been out of school for two years. I’m quitting my job as a visiting assistant math professor (like a baby professor) to write video games, DF in particular. Ideally, I’ll be supported by the DF community. Realistically, who knows? Right now I can pay for food, utilities and a slice of rent on donations, and I’ve saved enough money to make an honest effort for some months after I leave my job mid-May. I’m hopeful that when I finally have my time freed up I can push things forward to the point where the project generates enough interest that I’ll be able to pay my bills and maybe even get health insurance or something. Whether or not that’s optimistic remains to be seen, but I think it’s worth a try.”

Donationware is a tough route, but I would love to see Tarn get to make DF a living! Given his insane pace, one can only imagine what the game could look like with a few years of full time work. Send money!

Dwarf Fortress

By: Derek Yu

On: August 30th, 2006

“My legendary clothesmaker just threw a tantrum because his masterwork giant cave spider silk pants were stolen by invisible goblins. Which I guess I can understand, they probably were really nice pants. The thing I don’t understand is why he decided to mangle the limbs of one of my legendary craftdwarves and break the legs of my legendary carpenter.” –bloodyfool, Dwarf Fortress player, from the forums

I need to stop talking about this game, because it’s annoying my friends and keeping me from my work. It’s a Roguelike that let’s you build and run a… well, dwarf fortress. (I love saying “dwarf fortress.”) There’s so much detail in this game that it’s almost too complex to play. I just like revelling in the possibilities.

EDIT: Also, here’s a link to a beginner’s guide (Penny Arcade forums) and the Dwarf Fortress wiki. The game’s hard to get into without either.