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v0.31:Frames per second
| This article is about an older version of DF. |
What is FPS?
Frames per second, often referred to as FPS or framerate, is the measure of the amount of steps the game calculates in one second. Each step requires the calculation of unit movement, fluid movement, and many checks for different events, such as Template:L, damp/warm stone, Template:L, and much more.
Note that game steps are independent of human steps. A human with average Template:L will move 1 Template:L in 10 steps.
To check your FPS (frames per second) in Dwarf Fortress, simply change [FPS:NO] to [FPS:YES] in Template:L, and your FPS will be displayed on the top row of the screen. The first number is the current frame rate, while the number in parenthesis is the current graphical frame refresh rate.
Maximizing FPS
There are many methods to increase one's framerate, which can be found on the Template:L page. These can be crucial, as a common reason for abandoning forts is that the framerate becomes too low from all the dwarves, Template:L, and explored tiles having to have calculations performed each step. This is especially true if many Template:L have been Template:L.
Controlling FPS
By default, the framerate is set to not exceed 100, though this can be changed in the Template:L file, under [FPS_CAP]. Increasing or disabling([FPS_CAP:0]) this setting will allow a fortress to progress more quickly, though eventually there will be a maximum reached as a result of CPU speed limits. This also requires more attention from the player as Template:L will be completed or cancelled more quickly, and potentially harmful events─such as wild animals, Template:L, and Template:L─will occur more frequently in a given span of real time.
Decreasing the FPS cap will slow down the progress of a fortress, though it may be useful for if the framerate undergoes large, rapid changes, as it will smooth out the play experience. It can also be useful to slow down the game in order to handle other activities while still allowing the fortress to complete previously assigned tasks, while reducing the need to babysit the game.