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[Pharaun]

Too many people are unwilling to take the plunge into the madness that is DF2012, so I'm planning on turning this into a gif or illustrated comic and posting it to memebase where the attention it garners may or may not help get Dwarf Fortress out there and known. Please, if you see anything that you think should be altered, let me know. ____ represents a new frame.

Here's the draft of what I've got so far:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

Good day, denizens of the net, trolls, bronies, gamers, mods, spammers, etc.
These last few years have been great for the world of video games. Developers have been trying new things. Classics have gotten sequels. Great new franchises have sprung up. Creativity in the industry is high and the future of our hobby looks bright.
____
I'm on my soapbox here to tell you about one man and his contribution.
This man is Tarn (Toady One) Adams. His passion is programming. His masterpiece. . .
(image)
____
It's probably not a stretch to say you've at least heard Dwarf Fortress mentioned, or that you've heard a little about it. In the spirit of keeping things interesting, however, I'll just cut to the chase.
____
Dwarf Fortress has been in production since 2002. Beta 0.34.07 was recently released and there has never been a better time to jump into the madness that is the most comprehensive, detailed, and beautiful game to have graced my eyes.
(pic of combat log, character descripts, etc)
____
Dwarf Fortress, hereafter referred to as DF2012, is, at its core, two games.
(pic of title screen)
____
The first, the aptly named Dwarf Fortress, or as fans call it: "Dorf Mode"
(Pic of a fort)
____
The second is called Adventure Mode.
(pic of adventure mode)
____
Okay. So. I'm sure you've noticed the lack of graphics. The use of ASCII throws up a considerable barrier to new players. You're either unwilling to proceed after that first look or too confused to continue.
(insert ASCII overload, complete with microsoft paint legend)
____
You'll be pleased to know that there are graphic packs available, though don't expect them to get any better than a few bits.
(Pic w/tileset)
____
The second barrier to new players is: Complexity.
(crafting chart)
____
Or, as some like to call it "difficulty."
(pic)
____
But what could make this game so great?
(rageface of thinking dude)
____
The answer is: Detail
____
Over 200 types of rock and minerals. All accurately placed within their proper geological environment.
(pic)
____
Realism in all things.
(combat log)
____
Dynamic weather, tracking wind, humidity, air masses. These create fronts, clouds, rain, and blizzards.
____
That crossbow bolt that you just took in the arm in adventure mode?
(pic)
___
Rip it out.
(pic)
____
And kill the guy who shot you by biting out his throat.
(pic)
____
Or stabbing him in the front left tooth.
(pic)
____
Or by nailing him with his own bolt!
(pic)
____
Your squad of swordsdwarves fend off a wave of goblin invaders in fortress mode.
(pic)
____
One of them sustains a deep cut to the leg, severing some nerves and fracturing the bone.
(pic)
____
Your carefully prepared medical team rushes to save him. They disinfect the wound. Suture the cut.
(pic)
____

This draft is currently incomplete.

I'll post a WIP gif when I've got something tangible.

[jaxy15]

You should include pictures of dwarves being killed by reanimated butchered yaks.

[martinuzz]

You could leave trolls and spammers out of your opening sentence

[Capntastic]

Most people that would be interested in a game like DF shouldn't need a huge amount of prodding.  We don't need people to make huge spiels and proselytize on behalf of Toady.  The best way to get people into the game is to just run a succession game or a Let's Play on whatever forums you post on.  Set a good example.

[xdarkcodex]

The community at memebase that comments aren't the brightest people around. If they're not interested in DF and they have no intention or motive to push on to learn the game then they would probably quit in a few minutes of trying.

[Jervous]

Most people that would be interested in a game like DF shouldn't need a huge amount of prodding.  We don't need people to make huge spiels and proselytize on behalf of Toady.  The best way to get people into the game is to just run a succession game or a Let's Play on whatever forums you post on.  Set a good example.

yeah


Also if I saw that huge comic thing or whatever I wouldn't even read it; I'd probably skim through the pictures and yawn a little and then carry about my business of playing 40d. There's nothing that really could make me read it unless it was an actual story. Especially not the hook you gave.

[Trif]

Explaining DF to someone using pictures is really difficult because most of the action is transferred by announcements. Adventure mode combat pretty much consists of moving towards an enemy and reading the combat reports. You can't really display movements or actions in fortress mode without turning the comic into a wall of text, either.
I think something nice to look at would be some before-and-after pictures of battles, some visualizer pictures of the great megaprojects and maybe some fan art of famous dwarfs.

You should mention that DF is completely free and that it's pretty much a one-man show.
And keep it short and simple. The attention span of the average memebase person isn't very long.

[Broseph Stalin]

In my experience the best way to get the real essence of DF is one of the more epic let's plays. If you show them the minutiae they'll think it's a boring sim game, if you show them a combat report they'll think you're a psycho, if you try to describe it they'll be confused and terrified by your association with the self contained culture of Bay 12. Let them read the story of Boatmurdered and they'll be downloading before you've finished the intro.

[Loud Whispers]

Code: [Select]

(rageface of thinking dude)


Don't saturate it with memes you have no understanding of, which you add nothing to. Plus, a Dwarf would probably be more appropriate ☺

[Gatleos]

Code: [Select]

(rageface of thinking dude)


Don't saturate it with memes you have no understanding of, which you add nothing to. Plus, a Dwarf would probably be more appropriate ☺

*snrk*

...

Capn's right, there's no need to get all evangelical about this. If you want to introduce DF somewhere, just start a succession game (or at least a solo LP) on the forum or forum substitute. DF's biggest draw to anyone who isn't familiar with roguelikes is the storytelling potential. Just show them that through example, and those that are interested will be drawn in.