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[Dredonius]

Recently I was thinking about a portable Dwarf Fortress. Is there any way to do this? Does it already exist?

[itisnotlogical]

If you're referring to an in-game fortress that can change map locations, that sounds like a rather challenging mod project that you should ask about in the modding subforum.

If you mean playing Dwarf Fortress on the go, then you're rather limited in your choice of platforms. You could always play it on a laptop or netbook running your OS of choice, but since you're asking I assume you mean something out-of-the-way, like a tablet or smartphone.

There was a thread a long time ago about running DF on an Android tablet (I believe, it's been a few months). It was quite a job getting a virtual keyboard implemented within the program, but it was at least somewhat successful as I recall. Considering how resource-intensive Dwarf Fortress is and how most tablets and smartphones overheat if you so much as give them a funny look, you should either acquire a high-end device or lower how many resources Dwarf Fortress uses by disabling features like weather, blood spatters, and so on.

Considering how stable the Linux (Debian) version of DF is and the incredible portability of Ubuntu, you might want to research installing a distribution of Linux on your device. It's entirely up to you to pick a distribution that you will like, and the quality of Linux software varies wildly, but that is the most direct method I can think of for ensuring total software compatibility with Dwarf Fortress.

[werty892]

Every day a new DF phone thread...
Since when did laptops become not portable.

[Greiger]

My desktop is completely portable.  My desktop is more portable than a drier so I call it portable.   Now I just need a portable electric outlet and a back brace.

I suppose an actual portable version can't be too far off.  At least the old 3D versions anyway.  What I would think you would need is a windows based portable OS(or capability to emulate such) that supports minimum viewport size, and a functional keyboard system and you could feasibly get a portable version of DF on a mobile device.

[Telgin]

In theory recompiling DF to run on the Android platform should be doable without recoding enormous amounts of it.  It would still be very time consuming and painful to do, and Toady has little reason to put up with that.

The interface is going to be impossible to use on a phone in its current state though.

Wasn't there an application that would let you run DF through a terminal session somehow?  I have no idea how they sidestepped the interface not working well, if they even tried to.

[Vherid]

Thinkpad X230.

[Mrhappyface]

Well remote terminals are a thing.

[Lasander]

It fits and runs off of a USB drive.  Thats pretty dang portable.

[Naraceaus]

One of the easiest things to do is put a linux server on an old box at home, ssh into it and play df that way. You main limiting factor is finding a good ssh app on your tablet/smartphone/<insert other portable device>. I've also used this when I wanted to play large forts on my low end laptop.

[Trickman]

Every day a new DF phone thread...
Since when did laptops become not portable.

THIS.

God damn tablet normies. Buy a god damn laptop and rid us from Windows 8 and similar abortions invading the REAL stuff.

It fits and runs off of a USB drive.  Thats pretty dang portable.

And this.

I have my DF on DropBox. I can play it everywhere where I have Internet access and a computer.

[tolkafox]

You'd have to find a phone with a large enough power supply first; and unless you can walk and play DF at the same you're going to be sitting down while you play. Most likely next to a wall outlet. Wondering why you aren't using a laptop.

Seriously though, why do people want DF on their phones? Is it just so you can say you have awesomeness on your phone, or is there a legit reason?

[Jenniretta]

Netbooks are pretty great for portable gaming. My netbook has dwarf fortress versions 23a (Wine) 40d (SDL version) 31.25 (linux native) and 34.11 (linux native) on it, all run well, along with a host of other roguelike games ( Umoria, Rogue, Nethack, Angband and a few variants ... etc. etc.) and it fits in my bag without issue. It's about as portable as could be expected.

As for phone and tablet versions, I don't think toady should bother with them. the game is very resource intensive, and would probably be too much for a phone or tablet processor to handle properly. Not only that, but toady would need to rework the interface to make it work properly with a virtual keyboard or worse a touchscreen.
Not to mention DF is not a good game for the type of gaming people want for a phone - it requires time, a lot of memory, some degree of focus, and even more time. Most mobile phone games are made to be playable in breaks or while in waiting rooms when you mayt only have 5-10 minutes for a session.

[BigD145]

Thinkpad X230.

I would have gone with a convertible like the 230T

[GreatWyrmGold]

Use a netbook, or maybe one of those machines partway between tablet and netbook. Simple.

[Lasander]

I have my DF on DropBox. I can play it everywhere where I have Internet access and a computer.

NICE.  Why the hell have I never thought of that?