Dwarf Fortress

Available to buy NOW on itch.io!

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Dwarf Fortress Classic has been available for free on bay12games.com for years. But for graphics and music, a paid version is now available on itch.io! 

• Not just generated geometry -- a whole simulated world. Generated rise and fall of civilizations, personalities, creatures, cultures, etc. Infinite hours of gameplay.
• Now with beautiful pixel graphics and music!
• Learn the basics with in-game tutorials
• 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.
• A new endless hobby, just for you!

Prepare for the deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that has ever been created. The legendary Dwarf Fortress is now on itch.io, and you must build a fortress and try to 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 fortress 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.

Remember: Losing is fun!

As of April 2024, there's procedurally assembled portraits and crash fixes.

As for the main game itself... nothing substantial has changed, under the hood. It’s still good old Dwarf Fortress. 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 Jacob "Ironhand" Bowman. Together, their efforts are creating an all-new tileset featuring brand new pixel art by artists Carolyn Jong and Neoriceisgood. Dwarf Fortress Steam edition will have a 15 track soundtrack by Dabu, Simon Swerwer and Águeda Macias including tracks in the Dwarvish language!

It's never been easier to start playing! We've improved the new player experience with the addition of tutorials to guide you through building your first fort and keeping your dwarves happy.

Wondering why Bay 12 Games is selling Dwarf Fortress on itch.io, and working with Kitfox? Check the FAQ!

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.

• The original inspiration for RimWorld, Prison Architect, 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 and Zach Adams), with no end in sight.

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

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