Dwarf Fortress gets a Steam release date for December

Simulate a new dwarven life in December

It’s time to break earth and set up a new home. The impossibly deep simulator Dwarf Fortress has set a Steam and Itch launch date of December 6, 2022.

This infamous engine for incredible internet stories is often perceived as pretty dense. But as part of the Steam launch, Bay 12 Games is also rolling out several major draws for newcomers to make dwarven life a bit easier to manage.

First off, the graphical tile set. Rather than ASCII characters moving around, Dwarf Fortress has pixel visuals you can pick up on a bit easier. Modders and community members have made these tools before, but Steam Dwarf Fortress arrives with a packed-in tile set.

Secondly, the new player experience has been updated to include tutorials. Via the Steam page, these tutorials will guide you through the process of building your first fortress and keeping all the dwarves inside happy.

Other than that, this is largely still Dwarf Fortress. It’s still a massive, simulated world of possibilities and potential disaster. All it needs is a few intrepid dwarves.

Building the fortress

Dwarf Fortress has been the subject of many lengthy forum posts and storytimes. Much like EVE Online, it’s a game that’s endlessly fascinating to read about, but seems intimidating from the outside too.

With a Steam launch, updated graphics, and new player experience, this might be the time for me to give Dwarf Fortress an honest go of it. I’ve read enough stories. I’m ready to establish my own beautiful fortress, then watch it fall apart to infighting and chaos.

Developers Tarn and Zach Adams have been working on this game for ages, and seem set to keep doing so. And maybe this version is just the right jumping-on point as they dive further into what this simulation can possibly do.

Dwarf Fortress hits Steam and Itch on December 6, 2022.