Bay 12 Games Forum

Can't you record building designs and repeat them right inside of the game like a macro?

I remember using it awhile back. It was kinda neat to look at your fortress with the nifty graphics. It's just a visualizer though, I don't think it can actually modify the game in any way. One thing I did forget to mention is that the mouse does work for designation, so that may actually save you a bit of hassle.

Yeah. I think most players of the community generally agree that the interface is the game's weak point. And most, like you and I, probably do wish it was better or would be updated. I remember reading a post by the developer on why the interface wasn't likely to be enhanced any time soon, but I can't remember where I saw it. I think I remember something about the interface not being worked on until he felt the game was actually complete enough to bother with the massive coding it would require, but don't quote me on it. Hopefully a senior member of the community can explain it to you better. I wouldn't say the interface makes DF harder, so much as more frustrating to play, especially in the beginning, or at times you need to do a large amount of actions, such as carving out bedrooms or some such. I think that mindset of the community is more of a joke than anything. I've never really taken it seriously, and the large majority have been very decent and helpful to each other, and especially to new players.

DF is sort of like a hidden gem. There's no other game out there with this much depth and complexity. None even come close. When you read about all of the interactions and relationships happening in the background and during world gen, it's amazing. Even reading through the frontpage, about his work on the new version, it's amazing to see how much depth this game really has and how much is actually going on to make the game as special as it is. Unfortunately the gem is covered in the mud that is the interface. But after awhile, you get used to it and it doesn't really bother you at all.

I've seen better use of sarcasm. Anyway, the interface isn't the way it is because it's meant to be hard, or to keep certain types of player from enjoying the game. As far as I understand it, it is the way it is because it works, and because the developer would rather spend his time adding in additional content instead. As far as Fortress mode goes, sure it can be hard to learn the UI and it can be counter-intuitive at times, but it's not like you can't pause the game whenever you want and take your time.

Edited for typo.

Sorry about the manual spacing, I made the post at work using a heavily outdated browser. I had to manually space it like that so I could actually see what was being typed, my apologies.

I kind of figured I was out of luck, but was grasping for some kind of trick that could be used to populate the ocean. It's not really a huge issue, but I look forward to a fix in the future. Thanks for the informative reply, much appreciated.

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking these forums for quite awhile, getting answers to the many questions that come up while playing DF as well
as reading everyone's stories. Now I have a question I can't find a solid answer to anywhere:
I setup my fortress by the ocean in a temperate climate, and brought along a skilled Fisherdwarf hoping to keep myself well
supplied with fresh fish. The problem I'm having is that my dwarves aren't catching any fish in the ocean. I've tried setting up
a fishing zone on the ocean, and my dwarves tried to fish there and then reporting that there's no fish in the ocean.
What gives? I see vermin fish in the ocean, though I've read this has nothing to do with actual fish fished up by your dwarves.
Any advice on what to do about it, if anything?