An interview that directly hit the developer brothers of the legendary colony construction sim 'Dwarf Fortress' that sold 160,000 copies on the first day of release is being released


by Annie Forsman-Adams

Released on

Steam and Itch.io on December 6th, 2022, Dwarf Fortress was first published as freeware in 2002 and, after 20 years, was released in a day as soon as the paid version was released. It is a popular simulation game that sold 160,000 copies and 300,000 copies in less than a week. PC Gamer, a news media specializing in personal computer games, interviewed brothers Tone Adams and Zach Adams, who developed such Dwarf Fortress with just two people.

After spending 20 years simulating reality, the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to a new one: being millionaires | PC Gamer
https://www.pcgamer.com/after-spending-20-years-simulating-reality-the-dwarf-fortress-devs-have-to-get-used-to-a-new-one-being-millionaires/

Dwarf Fortress is a simulation game developed by Tone Adams and Zach Adams, known as Bay 12 Games. is also known to have influenced

Below is a trailer movie for the Steam version of Dwarf Fortress.

Dwarf Fortress Steam Edition-Launch Trailer-YouTube


According to publisher Kitfox Games' Tanya Short, the game released for PC was expected by economists to sell 160,000 copies in two months, but exceeded sales expectations in just 24 hours. He said he did.



After that, Dwarf Fortress sold like hot cakes, and Mr. Tone, who responded to an interview with PC Gamer, said, ``Six days after its release, almost 300,000 copies were sold.'' Since the price of Dwarf Fortress is $ 29.99 (the price in Japan is 3400 yen), it means that there was sales of 9 million dollars (1.22 billion yen) by simple calculation, from which 30% is cut as a Steam fee Then the rest will be 6 million dollars (about 810 million yen).

The distribution rate with the publisher and the amount paid to the artist who worked on the paid version of the artwork are unknown, and it is difficult to calculate accurately because the pricing differs depending on the country, but it is still several million dollars (hundreds of millions of yen) ) should still be on hand, PC Gamer calculated.

The left is Mr. Zach Adams, the older brother, and the right is Mr. Tone Adams, the younger brother.


by

Colin and Sarah Northway

Regarding the revenue from Dwarf Fortress, Mr. Tone commented, ``It's a lot of money, but it's 20 years, so if you divide it by 20, it's in the normal range for an engineer's salary. did. Zack also joked, ``We found a great way to save money by selling nothing for 20 years and throwing it all away.''

In the first place, the direct reason why the paid version of Dwarf Fortress, which has been developed for a long time with donations from fans, was released was to pay for his brother's medical expenses.

However, because it showed strong sales that far exceeded economists' expectations, he said, ``I have to redo my life design. I was just thinking about it,' Tone said. On the other hand, Mr. Zach said, 'My wife has a plan. I live in a very small house now, so buying a new house is a big goal.'

Mr. Adams said that there are no plans to release Dwarf Fortress 2 etc. within at least five years. Mr. Tone said, ``We have to take responsibility for what we have now for the rest of our lives,'' and indicated that he would continue to vigorously develop Dwarf Fortress. . Specifically, it seems that there are plans such as implementing complex magic and mythology, improving armies and siege warfare, rebuilding the entire concept of Dwarf civilization, and overhauling the economic system.

Dwarf Fortress can be purchased on Steam for 3400 yen including tax and Itch.io for $ 29.99 (about 4000 yen), but there is no Japanese version at the time of article creation.

Also, a freeware version was distributed on the official website, and it was said that development would continue here as well.

Bay 12 Games: Dwarf Fortress
http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/

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