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[Daywalkah]

Firstly, sorry if this is the wrong forum, its seems this could go in DF General Discussion or Suggestions. Secondly, would it be possible to have Dwarf Fortress distributed as a free game on Steam? Updates could be done via Steam and the main reason would be to spread the word that this game actually exists. More people would know about it meaning more players and more money. Please don't troll this is just an idea that came to me that could potentially benefit the DF community.

[NW_Kohaku]

I don't think this game's design or business model are really compatible with Steam. 

You don't actually WANT to overwrite game files with updates in this game, because that would be really funky with mods.

Likewise, I'm not sure Steam would really be willing to be hosting and giving functionally free advertising of Dwarf Fortress while Toady simply puts a "Donate" button on the site, where Steam doesn't get a cut.


Oh, and telling people not to troll isn't particularly good policy - People already know they shouldn't troll.  It tells people that you either expect that they are trolls and will only argue with you just to get a reaction, or else it implies that you consider any disagreement itself to be trolling, which in turn implies you don't care what their opinions or disagreements are, regardless of the basis on which they argued.  That's not the sort of message you want to be putting on what is basically a persuasive essay.

[Jeoshua]

You do realize you have to PAY Steam to have your files put on it, right?  And, likely, there is a licensing agreement that lets them do things with the game you might not want, like selling it wherever they damned well please.

Let's not give into corporate rediculousness.  DF is and always has been an indie game.

[NW_Kohaku]

You do realize you have to PAY Steam to have your files put on it, right?  And, likely, there is a licensing agreement that lets them do things with the game you might not want, like selling it wherever they damned well please.

Let's not give into corporate rediculousness.  DF is and always has been an indie game.

There are a lot of indie games on Steam, though.  I've found games I never would have known about had it not been for Steam.

Those are all traditionally-business-modeled games, however, which relied upon people paying $10 up front for a game. 

DF is more based upon getting the same people to keep giving x-dollar-amount donations every year, without having any requirement for if or how much they give.  Those games need to get more people to play to get more money, but DF just has to convince a solid core of the same people to keep on giving.

[Kogut]

from http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?p=785179#p785179
"Steam says you may not copy/reproduce/modify whatever is accessible via Steam"
So no modding.

EDIT:
well, mods are allowed

Your Subscription(s) may contain access to the Valve software development kit (the "SDK") for the computer game engine used in Half-Life 2 and other compatible Valve products (the "Source Engine"). You may use, reproduce and modify the SDK on a non-commercial basis solely to develop a modified game (a "Mod") for Half-Life 2 or other Valve products compatible with and using the Source Engine. You may reproduce and distribute the Mod in object code form, solely to licensed end users of Half-Life 2 or other compatible Valve products, provided that the Mod is made publicly available and distributed without charge on a non-commercial basis

[Starver]

from http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?p=785179#p785179
"Steam says you may not copy/reproduce/modify whatever is accessible via Steam"
So no modding.

It's arguable if both full-on modding, for DF and certainly the less full-on init-file changing are actually anywhere near what they mean.  Could be analogous to setting the resolution/sound quality/etc settings.

(In other news, having recently referenced Transport Tycoon, I can't believe I didn't know (although I suppose I should have guessed) they had such an OpenSource version of it happening.  Downloading as I type.)

[Kogut]

Spoiler: offtopic (click to show/hide)

(In other news, having recently referenced Transport Tycoon, I can't believe I didn't know (although I suppose I should have guessed) they had such an OpenSource version of it happening.  Downloading as I type.)

It is a great game! And try newgrfs (mods, through bananas [built-in downloader]) and maybe Chill's patchpack (http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=47622).

Ontopic: well, mods are allowed

Your Subscription(s) may contain access to the Valve software development kit (the "SDK") for the computer game engine used in Half-Life 2 and other compatible Valve products (the "Source Engine"). You may use, reproduce and modify the SDK on a non-commercial basis solely to develop a modified game (a "Mod") for Half-Life 2 or other Valve products compatible with and using the Source Engine. You may reproduce and distribute the Mod in object code form, solely to licensed end users of Half-Life 2 or other compatible Valve products, provided that the Mod is made publicly available and distributed without charge on a non-commercial basis