Quantcast



Forget Silent Hill or Fatal Frame. You know a game that's terrifying? Bay12's Slaves to Armok: God of Blood: Dwarf Fortress II, colloquially shortened to simply Dwarf Fortress. If being one of Armok's slaves wasn't bad enough (it isn't), consider that the game's visuals are totally in ASCII, that there's no user interface to speak of, and that all of commands are mapped to the keyboard.

In case you're not hip to frustratingly opaque indie games, Dwarf Fortress is a mix of city-building "God game," real-time strategy, and roguelike, all wrapped up in a procedurally generated bow. Wonderful things can happen as you build your eponymous Dwarf fortress (it can be flooded by lava, for example), but trying to figure out how it works is like trying to dig a hole to China with toothpicks. That've been jammed into your eyes.

Luckily, developers Jonask and Solifuge have addressed at least one of the barriers to entry into Dwarf Fortress: enter Stonesense, an isometric visualizer that runs alongside the game, ostensibly providing the player with some visual orientation that's easier to handle than the original ASCII. The open-source project is currently in alpha (whatever that means), and the DF community has been contributing sprites.

You can download the file here (.zip), and check out a video of Stonesense in action in the video embedded above.

Maybe I've been spoiled by modern standards for aesthetics, but the impenetrable graphics surely aren't helping Dwarf Fortress win the hearts and minds of any but the most dedicated gamer. Stonesense makes another attempt at Dwarf Fortress tempting, but I'm still not sure that, even with the facelift, I'll ever be able to wrap my brain around the deep calculus at work here: that sounds like a fool's errand to me.

[Via TIGSource]

P.S. If you're interested in Dwarf Fortress, here are some other resources cribbed from some some old comments: May Green's nice-looking tileset, and a how-to from Rock, Paper, Shotgun.








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Joseph Leray is a founding Destructoid editor and has better hair than you. He speaks French and needs to send us his updated bio in English, preferably. Likes Confuse Ray, Feel My Blade A Mabari War Hound, Snot, Spiral Arrow, Argo, Dan Smith's critical hit bark, Rolling things up into my life Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

25 comments | showing # 1 to 25
prev next

Neeklus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 06:32
Neeklus
Big fan of DF. It really has that old shareware feel to it - a sense of belonging in another age altogether. Liking the mod, which again makes me remember stuff like X-Com, and Spiderweb's Exile series. Good show!
Dead Movie Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 06:33
Dead Movie Star
I never thought to run it besides Dwarf Fortress - I just pause the game and look at my awesome fort.
Daniel Regala's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 07:04
Daniel Regala
Oh hell yes. For BOATMURDERED!
JiR INC's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 07:22
JiR INC
dtoid you always seems to show me new gems I will check this out right away :)
bluemeep's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 07:33
bluemeep
One of these days I'll be able to figure out DF. It'll probably be the same I day I make any kind of progress on NetHack.
RedQueensAce's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 07:51
RedQueensAce
Many hours of sleep have been lost to DF. It's really fucking addicting.
Stephen57's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 08:23
Stephen57
Finally!
Although i was using a tileset that made things look ok.
Ganjookie's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 08:30
Ganjookie
I love me some DF!

I tried some add-ons to assist with the graphics, but I prefered the ASCII graphics over what the community made.
Silverhertz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 08:35
Silverhertz
Oh My Gosh this looks amazing. So downloading this when I get the time. Thanks for the heads up Dtoid.
Silverhertz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 08:40
Silverhertz
Balls...I meant to add, anyone wanting to learn the game you cant go wrong with Captnducks video tutorials, he explains it really well and you can get the jist pretty quickly even with the ascii graphics hes using.
lucashoal's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 09:39
lucashoal
@Regala - pfff, Boatmurdered is old news. Headshoots is old news too. Syrupleaf is where it's at.
turbbit's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 10:10
turbbit
The graphics weren't the problem with that piece. I actually love ascii graphics, and they were what drew me to dwarf fortress.

The ridiculous menu system that makes absolutely no sense combined with the lack of instructions is what holds this "game" back. Seriously, I don't think it's possible to design a worse user interface. Even once you figure it all out, it's a pain in the ass to use.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 10:17
Darren Nakamura
I've always been interested in Dwarf Fortress, but not enough to get myself over the extremely high barrier to entry. This new addition doesn't change that.
turbbit's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 10:45
turbbit
One other complaint I had about dwarf fortress was that there is way to much micro management. I found the game interesting, but ultimately not actually fun. This is a personal preference though, and I probably would have looooooved it fifteen years ago.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 11:16
Holyetheline
This is pretty damned neat if you ask me.
Zyrshnikashnu's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 11:35
Zyrshnikashnu
Must resist the temptation to revisit the fortress...

I have work to do! Don't suck my life away, Dwarf Fortress!
project2501's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 11:51
project2501
Dwarf Fortress is one of my favorite games. It took me a month of restarting to survive my first winter. I love it for the same reason I love Demons Souls: if I die its my fault and learning from my mistakes is rewarding.

Plus its always fun to see a dwarf go insane, drag another dwarf into the butcher shop and come out wearing a pair of legendary dwarf leather gauntlets and then going on a killing spree.
Deven Pandya's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 12:14
Deven Pandya
df is amazing. i can't wait for my first fortress to burst into flames. losing is fun!!!
Gilgamesh1317's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 13:15
Gilgamesh1317
Funnily enough, I tried getting into this a few days ago and the graphics just confused the hell out of me. Hopefully this'll help.
Derek Gillies's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2009 15:13
Derek Gillies
I'm a long time DF player and I just find that stonesense, in it's current state, takes away from actually being able to play - you have to look between and move 2 separate windows instead of one now, woo!
Intruder's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/29/2009 21:16
Intruder
So I'm definitely going to try this out!
idiotized's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/06/2009 01:59
idiotized
I looooove Dwarf Fortress. I will be a fan for life. This tool is cute, and I look forward to using it, but I'll agree with Derek. The ASCII graphics are a breeze to get used to after a short while, and the tilesets available make a huge difference in aesthetics. All and all it's super fun.

PS. Couldn't you get a reviewer who actually likes/plays/is smart enough to understand the game to write this article? It leaves a lot to be desired :P
Angeles's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/14/2011 01:38
Angeles
Zipper Earphone | Computer Headset | Earphone Suppliers | Phone Headset - We specialize in providing high qualified Computer Headset with Microphone (M-5014), Zipper Earphone suppliers,Computer Headset with Microphone (M-5014),Computer Headset with Microphone (M-5014)5.LED Wall Washer Light | LED Gas Station Light | LED Lighting Supplier | China LED Manufacturer - We specialize in providing high qualified LED Wall Washer Light,10W T10 SMD led tube,12W T8 SMD led tube,15W T8 SMD led tube,18W T10 SMD led tube,22W T10 SMD led tube.LED Dimming System | LED Dimming | LED Dimming System Supplier - We specialize in providing high qualified air-fresher, ultraviolet, photocatalysis,AL, PC, Vehicles & Transport Equipment – Guangzhou Baiyun Tongda Auto Lamps Electrical Factory air-fresher, ultraviolet, photocatalysis,AL,PC.LED TV 32 | Ebook Rader 7inch FTF | Ebook Reader 7 inch TFT | Ebook Rader FTF | Ebook Reader RTF | China LED TV - We specialize in providing high qualified 19 CRT TV,CRT TV, CRT,TV CRT 19,CRT TV 19INCH.CRT TV 19".CRT TV 19, Electrical & Electronic Equipment – Shenzhen Woo Electronics Technology Co.Locking Compression | locking compression plate | locking plates - We specialize in providing high qualified Calcaneal,Locking,Compression,Plates,Cloverleaf, Health & Medical – Suzhou Sunan Zimmered Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. Calcaneal,Locking,Compression,Plates,Cloverleaf.Certificated Connector | Power Cord Connector | Certificated Connector Supplier - We specialize in providing high qualified 58482218,58482228,58482238,58482248,58482258, Electrical & Electronic Equipment – Shanghai Yusheng Enterprise Development Co.Surgical Instruments | Surgical Instruments Suppliers | surgical instrument companies - We specialize in providing high qualified endoscope pendant, ceiling-mounted pendant,medical pendant,surgical pendants,ceiling-mounted pendant, Mechanical Engineering & Industry - Equipment – Dongguan Maydear Medical Equipment CO.Electric Power material | electrical materials | electric power material manufacturers - We specialize in providing high qualified angle steel tower , self support tower, communication tower, guyed tower ,angle steel tower, Construction & Public Works – NINGBO HUYONG ELECTRIC POWER MATERIAL CO.Aluminum Composite Panel | Aluminium Coil | aluminium coil suppliers | aluminum plate - We specialize in providing high qualified aluminum composite panel, aluminium composite panel, acp, aluminum composite material, alucobond, Construction & Public Works – Foshan Shunde Bolliya Plastic Aluminum Composite Panel Co.Manhole Cover | plastic manhole covers | manhole cover manufacturers - We specialize in providing high qualified manhole cover supplier,fence,garden fence,flower pot,garden pot,manhole cover,– Hunan Timelion Composite Materials Co.Foaming Tyre Rejuvenator | Chrome Effect Spray Paint | Chrome Spray Paint | Tyre Rejuvenator - We specialize in providing high qualified brake cleaner, engine degreaser, foaming tyre rejuvenator,anti mist spray,paint,brake cleaner,foaming tyre rejuvenator,engine degreaser,– Shenzhen Rainbow Fine Chemical Industry Co.
antzz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/17/2011 01:26
antzz
This is a smart blog. I mean it. Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information. Live Stream|Live Stream|Live Streaming|Live Stream|Live Stream free
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!