Dwarf Fortress: multi-level view

I've always been slightly frustrated that only a single level was viewable at a time in DF, so I made a demo that implements a multi-level. It uses the per-level exported screenshots and figures out the transparent bits. Lower levels are rendered in place, but darkened. Also, there is an animation for transitioning between levels.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• dwarf
• fortress

[nymersic]

It would be wonderful. I assume Toady is aware and considering this, right?

[malaisechalk]

@nymersic I've posted it to the forums that I assume he reads it. Graphics don't really seem to be a priority for him, unfortunately.

[Hurion]

Does it show animation on out-of-focus levels?

[malaisechalk]

Note that this isn't implemented inside DF; it is a static demo only.

I don't see why not have animations on all levels, though

[lolghurt]

@malaisechalk because animations on all levels would murder the FPS

[malaisechalk]

@lolghurt No it wouldn't. The positions have to be updated anyway (since the simulation is ongoing). We're talking about updating the screen, which is a constant amount of work.

[rosareven89]

@chaelieyre You can make 3D characters for this game? Go ahead, we can use some UI upgrades. We're all too busy playing the game that no one bother to make one. Also try to keep things optimised while you can - the game still lags from its massive amount of calculations even in ASCII.

[PsycholexUber]

@chaelieyre Unlike most games, this one sacrifices prettyness for awesomeness. Very few games can provide the pure role playing and depth that this one can. And for that intelligent gamers are willing to sacrifice things. FYI, if you cant deal with the ASCII (the way it looks here) you can add texture packs to make it more manageable. I dont have a problem with ASCII, but i prefer using texture packs just to make it look a bit nicer.

[chaelieyre]

My main answer to this is "WHY?" Do we still live in the 80's? I mean C'mon I could make still 3d characters better than this.. My vote is two thumbs down, absolute fail. I mean really you are excited out of your pants by this?!

[TheodenN]

@malaisechalk

Actually depth effect can be attained by simply arranging the colors of the tiles. The deeper the darker colors. It won't have a burden on the system since it will be drawn like normal only in different color sets per height. Nice video, I hope something like this will be put in the game. Graphics (or the lack of graphics in this case) are the weakest aspect of the game in my opinion.

[nymersic]

@Moonshadow101 I think you really misunderstood what was going on in the video.

[Moonshadow101]

This actually seems like a terrible idea. This is dwarf fortress, not human city. Most of your structures are going to be underground. Automatically refocusing the camera to the highest possible point will almost always put it at least one level above what you actually want to see.

[Noobtron3000]

what do you press on the keyboard to look at new levels

[gh0s7walk3r]

@malaisechalk this is better than just a graphics improvement, it makes base planning more intuitive and increases the accessability of the game(which it desperately needs), great job on this demo. here's hoping it gets implemented!

[advancegreen]

This is something I would really like to see ingame! Great work.