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[Neurovore]

Just the sound of it should make any true dwarf wiggle in excitement. These should be power generators built with a couple metal barrels and a couple mechanisms. They would require both a heat source (coal or magma) and at least 1 water tile to be built on, and provide 100 power or so.

If they are ever destroyed while in operation, they should also be spectacularly destructive.

[Capntastic]

A classic, oft discussed topic, you can vote for it here:
http://www.bay12games.com/forum/eternal_voting.php

[G-Flex]

Steam engines do not fit the intended technology level/time period of Dwarf Fortress, and this topic has been rehashed many, many, many times.

[alfie275]

How about you gain it for playing a fortress for 50 years or so? Or maybe only if you start your fortress after 1400ad?

[Silverionmox]

A serious problem with steam engines etc. are the large-scale economic consequences (industrialization etc.).

Another good design reason to stop implementing technologies is to concentrate on a smaller amount of history, but do it thoroughly and consistently.

From a gampelay perspective, is allows for more creativity from the player's side to try to accomplish things, rather than just research the modern apparatus that does what they want to accomplish.

And last but not least: in a sparsely populated world with minimal transport facilities, the player's actions have at the same time much more impact locally, but much less globally: that allows for more diversity in gameplay.

[G-Flex]

after 1400ad?

Funny, I didn't know Dwarf Fortress had Jesus or the Gregorian/Julian calendar system in it.

[highholyme]

If steam did more than fill up your screen, couldn't you technically create a steam engine on your own?

If I remember correctly as of the current version steam does little more than appear and then dissipate.

[Capntastic]

How about you gain it for playing a fortress for 50 years or so? Or maybe only if you start your fortress after 1400ad?

Just randomly unlocking technology for playing an arbitrary amount of time completely goes against the spirit of the game.

[profit]

I have always wanted a research system..  And there was even a decent one laid out earlier that used small amounts of goods during the research process and was only marginally directed...  Seemed like a good idea. 

[Foa]

How about you gain it for playing a fortress for 50 years or so? Or maybe only if you start your fortress after 1400ad?

Just randomly unlocking technology for playing an arbitrary amount of time completely goes against the spirit of the game.

* >>Mouth > Spew Blood > CariousWeltingFondness: B-B-B-BLOOD GEYSER!!! *

And tech levels are achieved by it's pursuit, not time.

[Urist McDetective]

If steam did more than fill up your screen, couldn't you technically create a steam engine on your own?

If I remember correctly as of the current version steam does little more than appear and then dissipate.

Do do this, wouldn't you require constructions & materials with various levels of movement & friction? Perhaps if things proceed to a point where waterwheels are accurately represented...

[Granite26]

If steam did more than fill up your screen, couldn't you technically create a steam engine on your own?

If I remember correctly as of the current version steam does little more than appear and then dissipate.

I kinda agree with this.  Gasses should exert pressure

[Mikademus]

Other popular suggestions you might care not to re-suggest:

> Electricity
> Cannons or guns
> Multithreading
> Tunneling
> Hitler*

When actually generating discussion these topics tend to lead to flame wars.

* Actually, Hitler isn't suggested very often, but it would be a flamey topic.

[praguepride]

I don't believe that just mentioning Hitler starts a flamewar! That's just ridiculous! 

[Granite26]

I don't believe that just mentioning Hitler starts a flamewar! That's just ridiculous! 

No it's not, you big poopy head!!!