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View Full Version : Dwarf Fortress as Dungeon Generator?



shadow_archmagi
2008-09-11, 06:56 PM
Dwarf Fortress (http://dwarf.lendemaindeveille.com/index.php/Main_Page) for those who don't know about it, is an incredibly complex and detailed game where one takes control of a few dwarven settlers and carves/digs/constructs an outpost. Playing through a game means you'll end up with a workable underground cavern or tower or something.


There are twp primary benefits to using this method of making dungeons.

First, the game itself is fun once you get past the ASCII graphics, learn all the controls, learn how not to die instantly...

Second, you get a realistic fort. Your players will get to feel they're exploring an actual place where things lived, rather than a random combination of traps and rooms with monsters in them. You'll have wells, barracks, farms, kitchens, workshops, mines, and all sorts of things to deal with. Of course, you'll still be able to achieve fun stuff; one famous glacier-based fort had a water cannon. Soaking wet at far below zero. Goblincicles!

It also works because dwarf fortress by default gives you a 2d topdown view divided into tiles; and then theres a button to ascend/descend. The world is pre-divided into 5 by 5 by ??? cubes.

It seems like it'd work really nicely, but I've never really tried it or known anyone to.

Victor Thorian
2008-09-11, 07:07 PM
Playing for the sake of making a dungeon is no-no. Too much time and effort, once you grasp the basics you can make dungeons in that style.

By the way, did you play the adventure mode in DF? It is exactly what you suggest in game. You get to visit your old forts and look at what the dwarves have done. It's really good because the dwarves actually record their history in things you can examine. For instance they can make a table, and on the year the table is made, say, the elephants attacked and killed many dwarves. Most likely your dwarves will draw elephants striking down the dwarves on that table.

So my point is, if you have fortresses, by all means, go for it. It will be fun.
But if you don't think you can stomach the ASCII graphics, don't even bother trying.

Tsotha-lanti
2008-09-11, 07:08 PM
Realistic fort? The brave (and charred dead) dwarves Boatmurdered (http://fromearth.net/LetsPlay/Boatmurdered/) beg to differ.

But yes, it's a great way to create dwarf fortresses, especially now the game has three axises.

Dode
2008-09-11, 07:11 PM
Playing for the sake of making a dungeon is no-no. Too much time and effort, once you grasp the basics you can make dungeons in that style.
This is true.

Using DF's excellent randomized yet programmable world-generator on the other hand is a different story.

Thane of Fife
2008-09-11, 07:11 PM
I would, personally, recommend How to Host a Dungeon (http://planet-thirteen.com/Dungeon.aspx) as an excellent, fun way to create a good picture of how a dungeon could look (i.e. as a dungeon generator), although it focuses more on the 'big picture' then on individual rooms and such.

Victor Thorian
2008-09-11, 07:12 PM
Realistic fort? The brave (and charred dead) dwarves Boatmurdered (http://fromearth.net/LetsPlay/Boatmurdered/) beg to differ.

But yes, it's a great way to create dwarf fortresses, especially now the game has three axises.

They were going pretty good. But it's SomethingAwful for you, someone was bound to intentionally screw up at some point.

Tsotha-lanti
2008-09-11, 07:14 PM
They were going pretty good. But it's SomethingAwful for you, someone was bound to intentionally screw up at some point.

I was referring to the architecture, which was hilariously un-intentionally screwed up. Nobody knew why there was a lever to flood large parts of the inside of the fortress, and the general look of the place is insane.

Victor Thorian
2008-09-11, 07:19 PM
I was referring to the architecture, which was hilariously un-intentionally screwed up. Nobody knew why there was a lever to flood large parts of the inside of the fortress, and the general look of the place is insane.


Oh, here is a link to the one of the last looks of the fortess, for those interested. Could be a reference point to see how the game looks.

Now this would be a great dungeon.
http://fromearth.net/LetsPlay/Boatmurdered/Thread%202/Update%2020/bigmap_1b.png

shadow_archmagi
2008-09-11, 08:29 PM
"You're in a room. There is a locked door and four levers."
"I ready an action to rewind time a round."
"I pull the leftmost lever."
"The ceiling caves in."
"I rewind."
"I pull the slightly less leftmost level."
"The ceiling caves in."
"I rewind AGAIN."
"I pull the rightmost lever"
"The ceiling caves in."
"I rewind. I'm out of power points guys; we should maybe head back."
"I'll just pull the last lever. Its gotta open the door, right?"
"The ceiling doesn't collapse."
"Whew."
"The floor does."