Whatever you happen to do later on, DONT DUMB THIS GAME DOWN! The ever increasing complexity of this game is what turns me ON about DF. I mean, don't do what oblivion and fallout 3 did.. They replaced their entire fanbase of the predecessors of these games when they made the games console-friendly, and "stupid teens who can't play games that require them to think"-friendly.
It's weird, how the only people ever to complain about the graphics, are the people NOT PLAYING THE GAME. One should think that the actual players of the game would be the ones to complain.. I really don't get it... Graphics don't make games, it's gameplay/fun/etc that make games. I read that this game was supposed to be awesome, so I just happened to give it a try, which is what got me hooked about 2 years ago. (after I started reading up on the wiki-tutorials...)
The learning curve is a bit unforgiving. It's easy to get lost in the vastness that is this incredible game. Even with the wiki handy, it takes a while to get a grip around what this game is.
For me however, once I realized that many things in this game actually is similar to other games, it got all easier. (placing workshops = red alert, designating stuff to do = dungeon keeper or Evil genius, etc) Once I got past that "weird ascii-game" feeling, and realized this, then it was all fun and games. (well... "game"..)
Would be nice for new players to try an ingame tutorial-mode which is really dumbed down, in campaign-style play with goals:
-Starting with a small map with one miner, one small mountain on 2 z-levels, and all you can do is designate mining. No hunger, thirst, wildlife etc...)
-Next map: Underground room with part sand/soil, part stone floor. You have one farmer, and all you can do is designate a farm plot and choose which seeds to plant. When plants are getting ready, you are allowed to designate a stockpile for food.
-next map: learn about brewing drink
-etc