Every article tag can be clicked to get a list of all articles in that category. Every article tag also has an RSS feed! You can customize an RSS feed too!
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Dwarf Fortress arrives on Steam, works on Linux desktop and Steam Deck

By - | Views: 38,455

Dwarf Fortress has now finally arrived on Steam, with all the shiny new bits including the new graphical tiles and audio included in Early Access. The good news is that even though it doesn't have Native Linux support yet, it does work on Linux desktop and Steam Deck with Proton.

It doesn't have controller support though, so on Steam Deck you'll need to mess about with Steam Input for a while to set it up how you want. I have no doubt it won't be long before someone makes a good one. To be honest with you, like a lot of people I was never able to get into it originally, it was a bit too retro for my tastes but this new more modern version definitely seems like something I can get into. The short guided tutorial is certainly a nice touch.

Steam Deck screenshots:

Seems like you might get pretty good battery life out of it on Steam Deck too.

There's no Cloud Save support yet though, which for a game as big as this feels like a huge oversight. Even if you only play on one device, it's always good to have that backup there.

Both Steam Deck and Desktop Linux were tested with Proton 7.0-4.

Launch Trailer:

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

Game 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 beautiful pixel graphics!
  • 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!

You can buy it on Steam.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
21 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
15 comments
Page: 1/2»
  Go to:

denyasis Dec 6, 2022
Hopefully this generates some nice income for them. They've been a volunteer project, for what almost 20 years, right? I think I last played it 2009-2010. It's a fun game, but gosh it's hard.
Quill Dec 6, 2022
For me it is one of the best games ever!

If you want to learn more about DF FUN, you should look for a "Boatmurdered" (usually in .pdf somewhere on the net, probably in archives of the game wiki). It's a brief history of one fortress.
Holzkohlen Dec 6, 2022
Oh no, I have dreaded the moment I could not escape it any longer.
Theodis Dec 6, 2022
I bought it right away. Unfortunately I didn't have much time before work to try it out. Though I did notice that I had to use the mouse to interact with the various menus and that the old keyboard controls did not function. Pressing the arrow keys did snap my mouse to a specific location so maybe I just have something setup wrong or it's not fully implemented yet?
Tchey Dec 6, 2022
No issue so far via Proton on my Manjaro, mouse and keyboard.
Philadelphus Dec 6, 2022
Quoting: TheodisI bought it right away. Unfortunately I didn't have much time before work to try it out. Though I did notice that I had to use the mouse to interact with the various menus and that the old keyboard controls did not function. Pressing the arrow keys did snap my mouse to a specific location so maybe I just have something setup wrong or it's not fully implemented yet?
Saw this article today on differences with the Steam version which might help – apparently some of the keybindings have changed and some menus need the mouse.
https://www.polygon.com/guides/23494480/dwarf-fortress-biggest-changes-stream-graphics-menu-keyboard-shortcuts-mouse
Pengling Dec 6, 2022
View PC info
  • Supporter
Dwarf Fortress isn't my sort of game, but I've known people who absolutely swear by it and who've shared some very amusing stories over the years, so this is really nice to see.

There'll soon be officially-licensed merchandise from Fangamer, too!

Quoting: QuillFor me it is one of the best games ever!

If you want to learn more about DF FUN, you should look for a "Boatmurdered" (usually in .pdf somewhere on the net, probably in archives of the game wiki). It's a brief history of one fortress.
It's on Let's Play Archive, here - a fine piece of entertainment in its own right, to be sure. I revisited it for a re-read recently, since the original was still ongoing back when I last did so, and it was great to finally see how it ended!

There are also an assortment of dramatic readings on YouTube, but I haven't listened to any of those so I can't speak to their quality.
WorMzy Dec 6, 2022
I got gifted a copy by an ex-coworker who knows how much I love Dwarf Fortress. I'm playing the tutorial for shits and giggles and while I know it's really dumbed down for newbies, it seems a little too dumbed down. Maybe the help guides fill in the gaps, but there's no explanation of how to "prepare carefully", how to manage dwarf labours, how to check your stockpiles, how the health/military systems work, how to raise, butcher and process animals and use their by-products, how and why to avoid carp*, how to create and manage burrows, the importance of booze, etc.

Obviously nothing will ever come close to replacing the DFWiki, but anyone thinking the tutorial will set prepare them for the long game will encounter much Fun.

I'm also struggling with unlearning the shortcuts I know and love -- the game feels so much slower with the removal of keyboard-only gameplay. I'm sure I'll get used to it, and if it plays as well on the Deck as it does on a regular PC (which would be impossible with tradition DF, which I can't even play without a numpad at this point), then it'll pretty neat.

* inside joke
Theodis Dec 6, 2022
Quoting: WorMzyhow and why to avoid carp*

redneckdrow Dec 7, 2022
Quoting: Theodis
Quoting: WorMzyhow and why to avoid carp*


You guys realize that bug was fixed a long time ago, right?

Also, I'm concerned that the CPU overhead in WINE/Proton would lead to early FPS death (single-digit framerates, for the uninitiated). 'Course, you usually have to play without FUN for quite a while to hit that point, so I might try Proton.

I've been waiting so long, since the initial announcement, that I have no recourse but to instabuy!

I feel the same way about Avatar: The Way of the Water tickets... my poor wallet!
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.