The Legendary Dwarf Fortress Gets a Whole New Look on December 6th

Controller Master



After years of hard work, developer Bay 12 Games and publisher Kitfox Games are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated, and newly inviting Steam and Itch.io PC release of the fabled Dwarf Fortress will release on December 6 for $29.99 USD! Originally released by brothers Tarn and Zach Adams in 2006, this new version of Dwarf Fortress reimagines the deeply intricate, dwarven civilization management and construction game beyond its ASCII character presentation with a brand new pixel art tileset, a new helpful tutorial to onboard unfamiliar players, new soundtrack and sound effects, new user interface and navigable menus, and other quality of life additions.

These new additions make this version of Dwarf Fortress the most approachable it has ever been, while still maintaining the beloved core experience and complex simulation that has made it popular for so many years. The classic version of Dwarf Fortress will remain available for download at no cost, and will continue to be supported, on Bay 12’s website.

“I was always someone who tried to enjoy Dwarf Fortress but found it difficult to wade into before, even with mods,” says Kitfox Captain, Tanya X. Short. “The Steam and Itch.io version has all the complexity but now even my 10-year-old nephew can play it! I can’t wait for everyone who’s been curious through the years to give it a shot.”

At launch, Dwarf Fortress’ Steam & Itch release will come with its Fortress Mode, the game’s iconic management simulation where you lead a colony of dwarves, create your own settlement, and try to survive and thrive in a world of endless possibility. Dwarf Fortress’ Legends mode will also be available at launch. The Adventure and Arena modes of Dwarf Fortress players know from the classic version of the game will not be present in the Steam & Itch release at launch, but Bay 12 Games continues working hard on making sure these modes are their best when they arrive on Steam and will continue to communicate with the community when further updates are available. You can learn more and see Dwarf Fortress’ Steam & Itch roadmap here.

Bay 12 Games is also tremendously excited to launch the Steam and Itch version of Dwarf Fortress with a brand new soundtrack, with tracks even made in the Dwarvish language! Composed by Dabu, Simon Swerwer and Águeda Macias, the soundtrack will also be separately released for purchase on Steam and Bandcamp.

About Dwarf Fortress on Steam and Itch.io

The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that’s ever been created. The legendary Dwarf Fortress is coming to Steam and Itch.io. Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive, despite threats of starvation, dragons, and madness.

You may already be familiar with the tile set mod packs from Micha? “Mayday” Madej and Jacob “Ironhand” Bowman. Together, their efforts are creating an all-new pixel art tileset by artists Carolyn Jong and Neoriceisgood. Dwarf Fortress’ Steam edition will have a 15 track soundtrack by Dabu, Simon Swerwer and Águeda Macias including tracks in the Dwarvish language!

  • Not just generated geometry — a whole simulated world. Generated rise and fall of civilizations, personalities, creatures, cultures, etc. Infinite hours of gameplay
  • Now with new beautiful pixel graphics!
  • Learn the basics with in-game tutorials.
  • A lifetime “living” project – created/updated since 2002, with no end in sight
  • Generate your unique world and manage a bustling colony of dwarves, even as they probably mine towards their eventual demise.
  • A new endless hobby, just for you!