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Difference between revisions of "Installation"

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''Dwarf Fortress'' is available as [[Premium version|Premium and Classic versions]]. The installation process depends on the game version.  
−
<br/>
 
−
__TOC__
 
−
= Download =
 
−
You can always get Dwarf Fortress as [[Main:Toady One|Toady One]], the developer, released it from the [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ Bay12 site] (listed at the top of the page).
 
  
−
You can also download the latest version from the links at the top of this page.
+
The ''Premium version'' is published on the [https://store.steampowered.com/app/975370/Dwarf_Fortress/ Steam] and [https://kitfoxgames.itch.io/dwarf-fortress itch.io] platforms. Once bought, the game will automatically add to your game library and will handle like any other game on the platform.  
  
−
Windows users should generally download one of the "Main" (SDL) versions (listed in the first row), unless the "Legacy" version is required for some reason. The "1" and "2" links are mirrors (but should be identical to their Bay12-hosted counterparts), and the "Small" link does not include [[music|sound]].
+
The ''Classic version'' is freely available directly from the developers, [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ Bay 12 Games]. Simply download the latest version, extract its contents, and play.  
  
−
Mac and Linux users should generally download the SDL version for their platform. While it is possible to run the Windows version under wine, it is often slower and less stable than the native version.
+
= Classic Download =
 +
{{quick download|0.{{current/version/ns}}}}
 +
''Dwarf Fortress Classic'' is freely available directly from the developers, [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ Bay 12 Games]. Simply find the version that matches your operating system and click the link. You may be prompted to save an archive file, or your browser may save it to its configured downloads folder, do so and follow the installation instructions bellow.
 +
 
 +
:The download linked at the top of the main page is a 64-bit version for Windows. "All versions" links to a page with additional choices depending on version, possibly including "small" builds for Windows (which lack sound files).
  
 
== Third-Party Packages ==
 
== Third-Party Packages ==
 +
{{main|Utility:Lazy Newb Pack}}
  
−
*[http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=126076 PeridexisErrant's Dwarf Fortress Starter Pack] (Windows) - A more comprehensive, and more importantly, up-to-date interpretation of the Lazy Newb Pack. As with the Lazy Newb Pack, PeridexisErrant's Dwarf Fortress Starter Pack has the full game plus utilities and graphics sets in one big package with tweaks to fix a lot of common bugs. Everything is preconfigured to work out of the box, and many options can be manually changed.
+
There are several packages which bundle the game with several utilities and graphics sets, usually configurable with an included launcher. These are listed on the [[Utility:Lazy Newb Pack|Lazy Newb Pack]] page. The availability of these packages lags behind the release, often by weeks or months for major releases.
−
*[http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128960 Fricy's MacNewbie] - essentially the Lazy Newb Pack, for OS X.
 
−
*[http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=130792 Linux Lazy Newb Pack] - exactly what it says. This will also try to find missing dependencies and so on. (unmaintained as of 26 June 2014)
 
  
−
The Dwarf Fortress community often creates custom [[Graphics set repository|graphics sets]] and [[Tilesets|tilesets]]. They're like graphical mods that make DF look prettier or just different. A lot of people pack the game folder with the tileset installed and everything already set up, so all you have to do is extract and play. Among the most popular of these are [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=53180.0 Ironhand's Graphics Set] and [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=57557.0 Phoebus' Graphic Set].  Most notable graphics sets are included in the packs above.
+
The ''Dwarf Fortress'' community often creates custom [[Graphics set repository|graphics sets]], [[Tileset repository|tilesets]] and [[Color_scheme#Custom_color_schemes|color schemes]]. They're like graphical mods that make DF look prettier or just different. A lot of people pack the game folder with the tileset installed and everything already set up, so all you have to do is extract and play. Among the most popular of these are [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=53180.0 Ironhand's Graphics Set] and [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=57557.0 Phoebus' Graphic Set].  Most notable graphics sets are included in the packs mentioned above.
  
−
= Installation =
+
= Classic Installation =
 
:''Also see: [[System requirements]]''
 
:''Also see: [[System requirements]]''
  
 
== Windows ==
 
== Windows ==
  
−
There is no installer for the game. Simply extract the archive file to a folder somewhere and run the game from within the folder.
+
There is no installer for the game. Simply right-click the zip archive you downloaded and choose <code>Extract All...</code>, then choose a destination folder, and click <code>Extract</code> (or maybe <code>Unzip</code> or <code>Next</code> on older versions of Windows). By default Windows uses the name of the archive as the folder name, in the folder the archive is in, so something like <code>C:\Users\yourusername\Downloads\df_50_12_win</code>. You should change that to something like <code>C:\Users\yourusername\Desktop\Dwarf Fortress</code> or <code>C:\games\Dwarf Fortress</code>. After the files have been extracted, double-click the <code>Dwarf Fortress.exe</code> file within the folder you chose to start the game.
  
−
Make sure to actually ''extract'' the archive; do not just open the archive and run the game from the window that appears. If you do this then it may appear to work, but your save game data will get discarded. This is the cause of many "my saved games keep getting deleted" complaints. The game also needs to be able to write to its own folder, so do '''not''' install it in C:\Program Files if you are running Windows Vista or later.
+
* Make sure to actually ''extract'' the archive; do not just double-click the archive and run the game from the window that appears. If you do this, then it may appear to work, but your save game data will get discarded - the cause of many "my saved games keep getting deleted" complaints.  
 +
* The game needs to be able to write to its own folder, choose a game folder your user has write access to without requiring administrator rights for example: your <code>Downloads</code> folder, <code>Desktop</code>, or <code>C:\games\..</code>; do '''not''' install it in <code>C:\Program Files\..</code> unless you know how to set up the correct permissions.
  
−
== Mac ==
+
Troubleshooting:
  
−
The Mac version is not a single application bundle, but like the Windows version it consists of a folder containing the application along with data files and there is no installer. The entire folder can be dragged into the Applications folder or placed elsewhere. As with the Windows version, the game must be able to write to its own folder.
+
* If you have an error stating that MSVCP140.dll or MSVCP140_ATOMIC_WAIT.dll is missing, it can be obtained by downloading the [https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2022].
 +
* If Windows is set to scale the display, you may need to disable that for DF. Right-click the ''Dwarf Fortress.exe'' icon, select '''Properties''', select the '''Compatibility''' tab, and then activate the '''Disable display scaling on high DPI settings''' (or '''Override high DPI scaling behavior, scaling performed by: Application''') check box.[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3025083/windows-scaling-issues-for-high-dpi-devices]
  
−
To start the game execute the launch script "df". Launching "dwarfort.exe" by itself will ''not'' work (since the "df" script sets up [[wikipedia:environment variables|environment variables]] pointing to DF's libraries).
+
Creating shortcuts:
  
−
For development purposes (such as changing libraries or patching), you may want to install [http://developer.apple.com Apple's developer tools].
+
* Right-click the <code>Dwarf Fortress.exe</code> file and choose any of <code>Pin to Start</code>, <code>Pin to taskbar</code>, or <code>Send To > Desktop (create shortcut)</code>. (The availability of these options may vary depending on the version of Windows.)
−
 
 
−
On OS X 10.8 and above, you will need to download [http://xquartz.macosforge.org/landing/ XQuartz] to run Dwarf Fortress, which is no longer bundled with OS X by default.
 
  
 
== Linux ==
 
== Linux ==
  
−
The Linux version of the game is shipped as a compiled 32-bit x86 (Intel/AMD) application. It will also run on a system with a 64-bit AMD or Intel processor and a 64-bit kernel, provided that you have the (32-bit) shared libraries available that the program needs.
+
''Dwarf Fortress'' for Linux is expected to be run from a terminal (command-line) interface, and so the instructions here will assume you know how to log in and get to a command prompt. By default, however, ''Dwarf Fortress'' is a graphical desktop program (an X client), so you should be in a terminal emulator (inside an X session) before starting the game. ''Dwarf Fortress'' will create a new window outside of the terminal window by default, so don't worry about the size of the terminal.
−
 
 
−
Dwarf Fortress for Linux is meant to be run from a terminal (command-line) interface, and so the instructions here will assume you know how to login and get to a command prompt. At least in the default mode, however, Dwarf Fortress is an X client (graphical desktop) program, so you should be in a terminal inside an X session before starting the game. Dwarf Fortress will create a new X window outside of the terminal window, so don't worry about the size of the terminal.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Unpacking''': Dwarf Fortress is shipped as a (bzip2) compressed tar archive.  It will extract into a new directory called '''df_linux'''.  So, cd to wherever you want the game to be unpacked, and then run '''tar xjf /path/to/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2''' (where df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2 is the filename).  Then run '''cd df_linux''' to change into the new directory.
 
−
* '''Running''': Run '''./df''' to execute the Dwarf Fortress wrapper script.
 
−
* '''Troubleshooting''': If you get an error like this:
 
−
./libs/Dwarf_Fortress: error while loading shared libraries: libSDL_image-1.2.so.0:
 
−
cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
 
−
: it means that your system is missing one or more shared libraries.
 
−
 
 
−
To fix this problem run the following command in a new terminal:
 
−
 
 
−
Ubuntu 14 (or systems without ia32-libs):
 
−
sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-0:i386 libglu1-mesa:i386 libsdl-image1.2:i386 libsdl-sound1.2:i386 libsdl-ttf2.0-0:i386
 
−
Ubuntu 13 and below:
 
−
sudo apt-get install ia32-libs libsdl-image1.2 libsdl-sound1.2 libsdl-ttf2.0-0
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
After the last command has finished (it should take about 5-10 minutes) go back to the old terminal and retry the ./df command.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Upgrading''': Since every new version of Dwarf Fortress unpacks in a directory named '''df_linux''' you have to manage upgrades yourself. As on all systems, you should '''not''' unpack a new version of DF on top of an old version's directory -- this will cause things to break, usually in subtle and mysterious ways.  Instead, you should either delete or rename the old '''df_linux''' directory first, before extracting the new version.
 
−
 
 
−
Alternatively, downloading the windows version and running it with the wine emulator works fine. This also avoids any issues with 32-bit versus 64-bit mode.
 
−
 
 
−
If you get errors, it is likely that others will have had the same problem; Try searching the bay12games forum with the error message.
 
−
 
 
−
=== 32-bit vs. 64-bit systems ===
 
−
 
 
−
Modern desktop PCs (of the Intel/AMD persuasion) contain CPUs that can run in either 32-bit or 64-bit modes.  When you install Linux, you choose one of these architectures.  The programs on your system will then be compiled either for the 32-bit (i386, x86) arch, or the 64-bit (amd64, x86_64) arch.  If you've forgotten which one you have, you can check:
 
−
 
 
−
$ uname -m
 
−
x86_64
 
−
 
 
−
The above would indicate a 64-bit system.  Here's one from a 32-bit system:
 
−
 
 
−
$ uname -m
 
−
i686
 
−
 
 
−
Dwarf Fortress is compiled for 32-bit systems, so if you're on a 32-bit system, things will be slightly easier.  If you are getting errors about missing SDL_image libraries (etc.) then you simply need to install them.  Use your distribution's package manager for this -- details will be extremely distribution-specific.  You don't need the development versions of the packages with the headers (although that won't hurt) -- you just need the runtime versions, with the actual shared libraries.
 
−
 
 
−
If you're on a 64-bit system, then things get a bit trickier.  Since DF is a 32-bit application, it needs 32-bit versions of the shared libraries.  Some Linux distributions provide these in one or more packages that you can download.  For example, in Debian, the ia32-libs package contains most of the common 32-bit libraries, including libSDL. If your distribution does not include these, then you may have to supply them manually.
 
−
 
 
−
==== How-to for Debian and similar ====
 
−
 
 
−
On Ubuntu/Debian and its derivatives, installing 32-bit libraries is as easy as appending ":i386" to the name of the library.  For libsdl-image and libsdl-ttf, this amounts to:
 
−
 
 
−
  $ sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
 
−
  $ sudo apt-get update
 
−
  $ sudo apt-get install libsdl-image1.2:i386 libsdl-ttf2.0-0:i386 libgtk2.0-0:i386 libjpeg62:i386 libglu1-mesa:i386 libopenal1:i386
 
−
 
 
−
'''Sound'''
 
−
 
 
−
After doing this, DF will run, but will complain that it cannot find the OpenAL library and cannot play sounds, even when OpenAL (i386) has been installed. This is due to a bug/feature in which there is no link from the name of the library that DF is looking for ("libopenal.so") to its implementation ("libopenal.so.1" - technically another link). To fix this, simply provide the necessary links in DF's own ''libs'' directory:
 
−
 
 
−
  $ cd df_linux/libs
 
−
  $ ln -s /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libopenal.so.1 ./libopenal.so
 
−
  $ ln -s /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libsndfile.so.1 ./libsndfile.so
 
−
 
 
−
==== Manually installing 32-bit libraries ====
 
−
 
 
−
If you do need to manually install the libraries, then the first step is to figure out where you will be putting them.  Check to see where your other 32-bit libraries are already installed; for example, on Debian, some are in /lib32 and others are in /usr/lib32.  Since libSDL is in /usr/lib32 on a Debian system, that's where we'll want to put libSDL_image and libSDL_ttf.  On other distributions, the path could be different.
 
−
 
 
−
The second step is to get the 32-bit libraries.  You can typically do this by downloading them directly from your distribution's 32-bit package repository.  Again using Debian as our example, we can perform a search at http://packages.debian.org/ for files containing the word libSDL_image for the Intel x86 architecture.  This takes us to [http://packages.debian.org/search?searchon=contents&keywords=libSDL_image&mode=filename&suite=stable&arch=i386 a results page] from which we can proceed to [http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/libsdl-image1.2 the libsdl-image1.2 package page] with a list of download links arranged by architecture.  Grab the i386 package from here, and repeat this for the libSDL_ttf package, and whatever other library you are missing.  Store these package files somewhere convenient.
 
−
 
 
−
The third step is to extract the libraries from the packages and get them in the proper location.  You probably ''won't'' be able simply to install the packages using your package manager, because they are for the wrong architecture.  Instead, you'll probably have to extract them by hand.  The steps for doing this are distribution-specific, so when in doubt consult your distribution's help resources.  I'll show the steps for a .deb package.
 
−
 
 
−
* cd into some temporary working directory such as /tmp
 
−
* Extract the files from the .deb archive, which is in ar(1) format:
 
−
  tar x /path/to/libsdl-image1.2*_i386.deb
 
−
: This creates three files: debian-binary, control.tar.gz and data.tar.gz.  We only care about data.tar.gz.
 
−
* Extract data.tar.gz:
 
−
  tar xzf data.tar.gz
 
−
: This creates a subdirectory named usr with various files inside it.  We only care about usr/lib/libSDL_image-1.2.so.0.8.2 (or whatever precise version yours has).
 
−
* Move the shared library into place:
 
−
  sudo mv usr/lib/libSDL_image-1.2.so.* /usr/lib32/
 
−
* Create a symlink to it:
 
−
  cd /usr/lib32
 
−
  sudo ln -s libSDL_image-1.2.so.0.* libSDL_image-1.2.so.0
 
−
  cd -
 
−
 
 
−
Repeat this for libSDL_ttf and whatever other libraries are required.
 
−
 
 
−
'''NOTE''': If you get the error that libsndfile.so is not found, you must use the following:
 
−
  find */libsndfile.so*
 
−
cd to the correct directory, then use ln as shown above.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==== "Not found: /data/art/mouse.png" and similar errors ====
 
−
===== Fix 1: Preload zlib=====
 
−
Due to incompatibilities between DF's included zlib and newer versions of zlib, libpng can fail on newer systems. A solution is to add this line to the beginning of <code>/your/path/df_linux/df</code> (or <code>/your/path/df_linux/dfhack</code> if you use [[DFHack]]):
 
−
export LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libz.so.1
 
−
Note that this path can vary - be sure that it is referring to a '''32-bit''' zlib.
 
−
===== Fix 2: Use bmp instead =====
 
−
Another solution (if preloading zlib doesn't work) is to force DF to use the BMP versions of image files. You must first edit the ''/data/init/init.txt'' file and change all occurrences of "png" to "bmp". This should solve all the error messages except for one: "''Not found: data/art/mouse.png''" since there is no setting in the init files to change it. The workaround for this is to edit the ''Dwarf_Fortress'' file found in the ''/your/path/df_linux/libs'' folder which contains the setting for the mouse cursor.
 
−
If you don't know how to do that, you can try this:
 
−
* cd to the ''/df_linux/libs'' folder
 
−
* open ''Dwarf_Fortress'' in ''vi'' or any other editor of your choise:
 
−
  vi ./Dwarf_Fortress
 
−
: This opens the file for editing (text mode). If you are not familiar with ''vi'', it would be a good idea to follow these steps exactly and not press any other keys since they all activate specific commands. If you do press a key though, you can press the ''ESC key'' a few times to cancel the command.
 
−
* With vi open, write the following string and press ''Enter'':
 
−
  /mouse
 
−
: This will search for all the strings that contain the word "mouse" and place the cursor on the first match. Pressing the ''n key'' will cycle through all the matches.
 
−
* Press the ''n'' key until the cursor moves to the desired string, which is "''data/art/mouse.png''". If you accidentally move past the string, you can cycle back through the matched strings using the ''N key'' (shift + n).
 
−
* Once you find the right string, you will have to move the cursor over the "p" in "[..]/mouse.<b>p</b>ng". You do that by pressing the ''l key'' which will move the cursor to the right. There is also the ''h key'' to move the cursor to the left, in case you move past it.
 
−
* With the cursor in the right position press the following key sequence:
 
−
  xxxibmp
 
−
: This will replace the ''.png'' extension with the ''.bmp'' one which solves the problem of the missing ''/data/art/mouse.png'' error.
 
−
* All there is left to do is to save the modifications to the file and quit ''vi''. For that, press the ''ESC key'' once or twice and then press the following key sequence after which you press ''Enter'':
 
−
  :wq
 
−
: This saves the changes and quits 'vi'
 
−
 
 
−
Now the game should work properly. Have fun!
 
−
 
 
−
=== Install on Arch Linux ===
 
−
Although Dwarf Fortress may be installed using the method above (with some modifications), it is available through pacman (Arch Linux's package management system), in the [community], for 32-bit, and the [multilib], for 64-bit, repositories. These packages are updated as Dwarf fortress is updated, and handle required dependencies. 
 
−
 
 
−
==== 32-bit ====
 
−
All of the following commands must be run as root
 
−
 
 
−
First, download and install Dwarf Fortress with pacman
 
−
  pacman -S dwarffortress
 
−
Any required dependencies will be installed, too.
 
−
 
 
−
Next you need to add the user(s) that will be playing to the game to the games group
 
−
  gpasswd -a [users] games
 
−
 
 
−
Any users you added to the games group must now be logged out, if they were logged in
 
−
 
 
−
Now Dwarf Fortress should be playable by typing:
 
−
  dwarffortress
 
−
As any user in the games group
 
−
 
 
−
==== 64-Bit ====
 
−
Installing Dwarf Fortress on 64-bit installs of Arch Linux is the same as installing it on 32-bit systems, with the exception of the [multilib] repository needing to be enabled prior to install. 
 
−
 
 
−
These commands also must be run as root.
 
−
 
 
−
To enable the [multilib] repository run:
 
−
  nano /etc/pacman.conf
 
−
And delete the pound symbol(#) in front of these three lines (Make sure the top one says #[multilib] NOT #[multilib-testing]
 
−
#[multilib]
 
−
#SigLevel = PackageRequired
 
−
#Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
 
−
So that they look like this
 
−
[multilib]
 
−
SigLevel = PackageRequired
 
−
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
 
−
Save the file by typing
 
−
  ctrl x
 
−
 
 
−
Then run:
 
−
  pacman -Sy
 
  
−
After that you can continue the install as detailed in the 32-bit section. Required 32-bit dependencies will automatically be installed, however you may have to install more dependencies, depending on what sound support you use, and you graphics card
+
'''Downloading''': Either download it from the [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ Dwarf Fortress Homepage] with a web browser, or with the following terminal command, replacing "XX_YY" with the numbers in the desired ''Dwarf Fortress'' file version, found on the [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ site]:
 +
wget http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2
  
−
If you use alsa sound, install lib32-alsa-lib with:
+
'''Unpacking''': ''Dwarf Fortress'' is shipped as a (bzip2) compressed tar archive. Current builds will extract directly into the current directory, so create a new subdirectory in a suitable location (perhaps <code>~/games/df_linux</code>), <code>cd</code> to it, and then run
−
  pacman -S lib32-alsa-lib
+
tar -xjf /path/to/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2
 +
where /path/to/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2 is the path and filename of the actual file you downloaded.
  
−
If use use pulse sound install lib32-libpulse with:
+
'''Running''': First, change to the new directory
−
  pacman -S lib32-libpulse
+
cd df_linux
 +
then run the program.
 +
./dwarfort
  
−
If you have ATI graphics install lib32-catalyst-utils with:
+
Now you need to ensure that the required dependencies are installed. If you try to run the game and get errors about missing SDL_image libraries (etc.) then you need to install them. Use your distribution's package manager for this - details will be extremely distribution-specific. You don't need the development versions of the packages with the headers (although that won't hurt) - you just need the runtime versions, with the actual shared libraries.
−
  pacman -S lib32-catalyst-utils
 
−
If you have problems finding the above driver, please note that the proprietary catalyst driver is no longer available within the main arch repositories. So you have to install the above package from the AUR. Please consider the arch wiki pages for more details.
 
  
−
If you have Nvidia graphics, install lib32-nvidia-utils with:
+
If you see any errors related to glibc when starting DF (for example, "version `GLIBC_2.34' not found"), your version of Linux is too old and will need to be upgraded (e.g. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is insufficient, but 22.04 LTS should work). Alternatively, you can try running the Windows version in Wine.
−
  pacman -S lib32-nvidia-utils
 
  
 
= Documentation =
 
= Documentation =
  
−
Fortunately the documentation on this wiki is very detailed and extensive. You may want to start out with:
+
Fortunately, the documentation on this wiki is very detailed and extensive. You may want to start out with:
 
* [[Tutorials]]
 
* [[Tutorials]]
 
* [[Quickstart_guide|Fortress Mode Quickstart Guide]]
 
* [[Quickstart_guide|Fortress Mode Quickstart Guide]]
Line 226: Line 73:
  
 
{{Getting Started}}
 
{{Getting Started}}
 +
[[ru:Installation]][[zh:Installation]]

Revision as of 21:27, 3 April 2024

xTATTEREDx  · +FINE+  · *SUPERIOR*  · ≡EXCEPTIONAL≡  · ☼MASTERWORK☼
v50.13 · v0.47.05
This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Dwarf Fortress is available as Premium and Classic versions. The installation process depends on the game version.

The Premium version is published on the Steam and itch.io platforms. Once bought, the game will automatically add to your game library and will handle like any other game on the platform.

The Classic version is freely available directly from the developers, Bay 12 Games. Simply download the latest version, extract its contents, and play.

Classic Download

Download: Linux · Windows · all versions · starter packs

Dwarf Fortress Classic is freely available directly from the developers, Bay 12 Games. Simply find the version that matches your operating system and click the link. You may be prompted to save an archive file, or your browser may save it to its configured downloads folder, do so and follow the installation instructions bellow.

The download linked at the top of the main page is a 64-bit version for Windows. "All versions" links to a page with additional choices depending on version, possibly including "small" builds for Windows (which lack sound files).

Third-Party Packages

Main article: Utility:Lazy Newb Pack

There are several packages which bundle the game with several utilities and graphics sets, usually configurable with an included launcher. These are listed on the Lazy Newb Pack page. The availability of these packages lags behind the release, often by weeks or months for major releases.

The Dwarf Fortress community often creates custom graphics sets, tilesets and color schemes. They're like graphical mods that make DF look prettier or just different. A lot of people pack the game folder with the tileset installed and everything already set up, so all you have to do is extract and play. Among the most popular of these are Ironhand's Graphics Set and Phoebus' Graphic Set. Most notable graphics sets are included in the packs mentioned above.

Classic Installation

Also see: System requirements

Windows

There is no installer for the game. Simply right-click the zip archive you downloaded and choose Extract All..., then choose a destination folder, and click Extract (or maybe Unzip or Next on older versions of Windows). By default Windows uses the name of the archive as the folder name, in the folder the archive is in, so something like C:\Users\yourusername\Downloads\df_50_12_win. You should change that to something like C:\Users\yourusername\Desktop\Dwarf Fortress or C:\games\Dwarf Fortress. After the files have been extracted, double-click the Dwarf Fortress.exe file within the folder you chose to start the game.

  • Make sure to actually extract the archive; do not just double-click the archive and run the game from the window that appears. If you do this, then it may appear to work, but your save game data will get discarded - the cause of many "my saved games keep getting deleted" complaints.
  • The game needs to be able to write to its own folder, choose a game folder your user has write access to without requiring administrator rights for example: your Downloads folder, Desktop, or C:\games\..; do not install it in C:\Program Files\.. unless you know how to set up the correct permissions.

Troubleshooting:

  • If you have an error stating that MSVCP140.dll or MSVCP140_ATOMIC_WAIT.dll is missing, it can be obtained by downloading the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2022.
  • If Windows is set to scale the display, you may need to disable that for DF. Right-click the Dwarf Fortress.exe icon, select Properties, select the Compatibility tab, and then activate the Disable display scaling on high DPI settings (or Override high DPI scaling behavior, scaling performed by: Application) check box.[1]

Creating shortcuts:

  • Right-click the Dwarf Fortress.exe file and choose any of Pin to Start, Pin to taskbar, or Send To > Desktop (create shortcut). (The availability of these options may vary depending on the version of Windows.)

Linux

Dwarf Fortress for Linux is expected to be run from a terminal (command-line) interface, and so the instructions here will assume you know how to log in and get to a command prompt. By default, however, Dwarf Fortress is a graphical desktop program (an X client), so you should be in a terminal emulator (inside an X session) before starting the game. Dwarf Fortress will create a new window outside of the terminal window by default, so don't worry about the size of the terminal.

Downloading: Either download it from the Dwarf Fortress Homepage with a web browser, or with the following terminal command, replacing "XX_YY" with the numbers in the desired Dwarf Fortress file version, found on the site: 

wget http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2

Unpacking: Dwarf Fortress is shipped as a (bzip2) compressed tar archive. Current builds will extract directly into the current directory, so create a new subdirectory in a suitable location (perhaps ~/games/df_linux), cd to it, and then run 

tar -xjf /path/to/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2

where /path/to/df_XX_YY_linux.tar.bz2 is the path and filename of the actual file you downloaded.

Running: First, change to the new directory 

cd df_linux

then run the program. 

./dwarfort

Now you need to ensure that the required dependencies are installed. If you try to run the game and get errors about missing SDL_image libraries (etc.) then you need to install them. Use your distribution's package manager for this - details will be extremely distribution-specific. You don't need the development versions of the packages with the headers (although that won't hurt) - you just need the runtime versions, with the actual shared libraries.

If you see any errors related to glibc when starting DF (for example, "version `GLIBC_2.34' not found"), your version of Linux is too old and will need to be upgraded (e.g. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is insufficient, but 22.04 LTS should work). Alternatively, you can try running the Windows version in Wine.

Documentation

Fortunately, the documentation on this wiki is very detailed and extensive. You may want to start out with:

Then move on to:

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