Objective

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The basic point of Fortress mode is:

Build/dig a place for your dwarves to work and live
Ensure survivability by providing food and water/drink for every dwarf
Provide basic comfort by building beds/quarters, a dining room
Defend your fortress (traps/military)
From the way Toady implements some features, have a lot of (twisted) fun
Accumulate wealth
Build and sustain a bustling full 200 dwarf fortress (this is already a bit "optional")

Most people prefer to do some/most of these steps:

Expand the fortress to have specific areas for specific purposes (Bedrooms, workshops, farms etc.)
Create various items for exporting (Trade)
Create a working military
Dig out the riches of the earth (Mainly platinum, gold, gems, adamantine etc.)
Create luxury for your dwarves and a generally grand and nicely smoothed fortress
Make your fort self-sustaining and self-supplied
Experiment with and experience the full depth of all game features
Complete megalomaniac construction projects
Experiment with and/or discover stupid dwarf tricks
Kill Elves
Create the world's largest Brewery
Do it all over again with one skill-less dwarf in a terrifying biome
Profit!

Ultimately, it's really up to your own imagination what you wish to do. After all, this game is an open-ended game. The possibilities are endless.

If you feel the need to play a more goal-based game, check out the list of game goals for suggestions.

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