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[infinitenoah]

I was wondering where and how do I download this game? i tried downloading it on the page, but it wouldn't for some reason. and is this game 100% free? thanks in advance.

[martinuzz]

Yes, the game is completely free, although donations are welcomed.
You can get the download on the main page: http://bay12games.com/dwarves/

Click on one of the blue links after SDL (below the big yellow letters saying DOWNLOAD DWARF FORTRESS 0.42.06 (FEBRUARI 10, 2016), depending on what operating system you use.
This will give you the game in a compressed file. Use any archiver to extract it to where you want it, and it's ready to play.

[MrReks]

It's a good game. You should play it

[infinitenoah]

okay.....i have downloaded the game and created a world, the only problem now is that i am completely lost on what to do. any tips?

[Innocent Dave]

The DF Wiki is the best source of advice and guides, particularly the Fortress Mode and Adventure Mode Quickstart Guides :

[Spriggans]

okay.....i have downloaded the game and created a world, the only problem now is that i am completely lost on what to do. any tips?

The wiki quick start page InnocentDave gave you is very good
You could also watch a tutorial on youtube. They're a good way to get into the game, but don't watch them for too long, they tend to become less usefull at the end. (Maybe somebody knows a good one, I'm french, so I don't, but I could look it up for you if you really want)
- Start by watching it, and playing at the same time, doing the same things, and getting used to the graphics / ui.
- Repeat the step above until you are confortable enough with the game basics (getting below ground, getting food, drinks, bedrooms and what not).
- Then, when you know what's going on well, you can start reading the wiki page : http://dwarffortresswiki.org/  and learning things by yourself.

Don't get depressed if it's too hard and you feel like you're not learning.
I learned the game by playing like a mad man for two weeks straight. Learned a lot, but also died a lot.
Then I got disgusted, stopped playing. Played it again months later, learned more things.
I basically did this stop-play-learn for like a year, learning things every time (like quality modifiers, using the manager and stuff).

Have FUN

[Diamond]

Don't get depressed if it's too hard and you feel like you're not learning.
I learned the game by playing like a mad man for two weeks straight. Learned a lot, but also died a lot.
Then I got disgusted, stopped playing. Played it again months later, learned more things.
I basically did this stop-play-learn for like a year, learning things every time (like quality modifiers, using the manager and stuff).

Hah. I came across DF and started playing the first version with z-levels, tried to follow the guide that was available at the time until I got to the "dig a well" part, flooded the fortress while diverting a river, raged about the absence of user interface, savegames and graphics designed for human beings and dropped it for a while.
Then came back after reading more stories and discussions, this time back 2d version, and played it almost a year before switching to 3d at 40d release. One might be surprised that last 2d version had more features, such as required supports for ceilings in larger rooms and noble variety, and stable while 3d versions were bugged as hell.

[infinitenoah]

question: What is the difference between channeling and digging? and what is a "Z-Level"?

[Vicomt]

I think now should be about the time someone posts



like others have said, DF is one of the most complex games ever created. Play, Fail, Play More

[achamalacha]

Maybe worth mentioning are the various DF distributions which basically providing (convenience) patches, utilities and pre configured tilesets all out of the box. See the wiki for details.

Also, have fun striking the earth!

[Redman the Communist]

question: What is the difference between channeling and digging? and what is a "Z-Level"?

Digging is just simply removing the ground you designated, while channeling removes the ground you disignated (unless you designated air) and anything below the designation, which lets you direct liquids easily, and dig directly downwards without stairs. And Z-levels are the game's measurement of height, and there's a wiki page on this: http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Z-axis

And good luck with your fortresses, Battle Brother! And remember, the solution to everything is to pour magma on it.

[mirrizin]

question: What is the difference between channeling and digging? and what is a "Z-Level"?

All of this is in the wiki. Though I remember having some trouble with understanding channeling...

If the X axis looks north, and the Y axis looks east, then Z axis looks up into the stars.

Digging is moving laterally underground, as if you were digging a tunnel.

Channeling is digging laterally and down, as if digging a ditch.

Seriously, go search the wiki. It's all there. Specifically, read this: http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Quickstart_guide

And have fun!

[steel jackal]

good luck, it took me 10 forts and 3 real months to figure out how to farm and make booze

[dwarobaki]

Dig & channel

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Blue_Dwarf]

okay.....i have downloaded the game and created a world, the only problem now is that i am completely lost on what to do. any tips?

They tricked you into downloading the basic version.

As a new player, you'll probably want to get the LNP that includes graphics and useful tools.