Kitfox Games and Bay 12 Games have revealed gameplay from the Steam version of the upgraded Dwarf Fortress. 

With commentary by developer Tarn Adams, players can get the low down on the inspirational game. Players build an entire world, then can either set-up a fortress for tantrum-prone dwarves, or explore their world as a hero. Players can even visit their own fortress, assuming nothing horrific has befallen it.

The premium version of the game will offer updated graphics by modders Michał “Mayday” Madej and Patrick Martin “Meph” Schroeder. The game will also feature tracks by Dabu.

You can find the gameplay and developer commentary below.

You can find the full rundown (via Steam) below.

Prepare for the deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that has ever been created.

FEATURES

• Not just generated geometry — a whole simulated world. Generated rise and fall of civilizations, personalities, creatures, cultures, etc. Infinite hours of gameplay.
• Now with graphics! (Optional ASCII mode available.)
• Steam Workshop integration for easier modding
• A lifetime “living” project – created/updated since 2003, with no end in sight
• Generate your unique world and manage a bustling colony of dwarves, even as they probably mine towards their eventual demise.
• Optional ADVENTURER MODE: explore the generated world as a single hero in an RPG
• Optional LEGENDS MODE: read the history of the generated world and your games in it
• A new endless hobby, just for you!

ABOUT

The legendary Dwarf Fortress is now on Steam! Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive, despite threats of starvation, dragons, and madness.

In this complex construction/management/roguelike simulation, every generated world brings a unique challenge, whether it’s dwarves with their own simulated personalities or aquifers. Observe what makes your civilization fall into eventual decline, and learn for next time… until something else inevitably goes wrong.

The combat model includes skills, body parts, material properties, aimed attacks, wrestling, pain, nausea, various poison effects, and much more.

It’s difficult to convey the depth of the generation. Hundreds of animals and monsters, many of which are randomly created for each world, as well as generated poetry, musical forms, instruments, and dances for your dwarves to practice and perform. A dynamic weather model tracks wind, humidity, and air masses to create fronts, clouds, storms, and blizzards. Over two hundred rock and mineral types can appear, in their proper geological environments.

Your purchase includes Dwarf Fortress Classic if you prefer to play without graphics or music or Steam-specific features, in the “classic” beta branch.

Remember: Losing is fun!

WHAT’S NEW

Nothing substantial is new or changed, under the hood. It’s still good old Dwarf Fortress, but with graphics support and music by default. A few bells and whistles won’t change that.

You may already be familiar with the tile set mod packs from Michał “Mayday” Madej and Patrick Martin “Meph” Schroeder. They’re collaborating on an all-new, from-scratch tileset, as seen in the trailer and screenshots. Meanwhile, Dabu has composed a few musical tracks, to match the seasons, and some other audio bits and pieces.

FORTRESS MODE

Command your dwarves as they search for wealth in their generated mountain. Your dwarves will need a steady supply of food and beer, but they’ll also need your guidance in surviving attacks from hostile civilizations, the wilderness, or even the dead.

• Craft treasures and furnitures from various materials
• Establish a barony and support the increasingly demanding nobility
• Read your dwarves’ thoughts to keep them happy
• Build floodgates to divert water for farming, and/or prevent magma mishaps
• Build structures and watch your dwarves discover and build their culture, like taverns, libraries, temples, honey, wax, pottery, animal training, bookbinding, and more.

ADVENTURER MODE

Choose a sentient race from your generated world (usually dwarf, human, or elf, but potentially goblin or animal person) and quest for glory.. Or seek vengeance.

• Recruit people to join you on your journey
• Explore without cumbersome plot restrictions, from capitals to catacombs, labyrinths to bandit camps.
• The original nemesis system: Meet adversaries from the previous games
• Earn a reputation as a hero, soldier, thug, musician, etc, with various civilizations
• Stealth system with vision arcs, respecting vegetation density and other factors
• Use signs like shoe impressions and animal tracks to hunt and avoid danger
• Steal a mummy’s treasure or learn forbidden secrets from a necromancer’s tower
• Visit your retired fortresses and meet your old dwarves — even ask them to join you!

LEGACY

• The original inspiration for RimWorld, Prison Architect, Minecraft and more.
• One of the first video games acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York
• Updated for over 16 years by two brothers, Tarn “Toady One” and Zach “Threetoe” Adams

With the goal of simulating all of existence, Bay 12 estimates they’re only about 44% done.

Dwarf Fortress classic is available on Windows PC, Linux, and Mac (all via the official website) for free. The updated Dwarf Fortress is coming soon to Windows PC, Linux, and Mac (all via Itch.io, and Steam)