Dwarf Fortress is a developer game. Last I checked, you need mods to get any graphics beyond basic ascii characters. Practically everything is a keyboard shortcut that needs to be memorized. It makes the player feel like they're an operator from the Matrix trilogy.
It's interesting that by completely ignoring UI/UX the developers (2 brothers) have managed to create one of the most in depth worlds imaginable. This makes it completely unaccessible to the wider world, but beloved by the core audience and respected by any nerd that tried to read through a tutorial. It's found success in being the antithesis of a AAA game, which is usually beautiful but shallow.
I wonder if there could ever be another Dwarf fortress? Or if the target audience is too small to support another game.
It's interesting that by completely ignoring UI/UX the developers (2 brothers) have managed to create one of the most in depth worlds imaginable. This makes it completely unaccessible to the wider world, but beloved by the core audience and respected by any nerd that tried to read through a tutorial. It's found success in being the antithesis of a AAA game, which is usually beautiful but shallow.
I wonder if there could ever be another Dwarf fortress? Or if the target audience is too small to support another game.