The newest version of Dwarf Fortress contains truly revolutionizing, game-changing mechanics unlike those ever before seen. Minecarts and wheelbarrows are the new peons/haulers of DF, which ultimately affect the future of gameplay forever. With that in mind, dear reader, I give you Toady's updates.
[Note: In light of the MOST recent update, 0.34.09, I have included bug fixes and tweaks at the bottom after the 0.34.08 info. The newest release was made public not 3 days after the last one--pressing fixes apparently forced Toady's hand to get it out there. The rushed release didn't seem to qualify a whole new article, so this one has been accordingly updated.]
Please follow the link for the DF homepage where you can directly download 0.34.08/.09!
Bay12games.com
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[0.34.08]
Here is a hauling release. I'm sure it has all kinds of interesting issues -- we're going to iron out problems for the next few releases without embarking on anything major in order to restabilize it. The tile-wise physics causes some oddities on its own (items can't be given a meaningful sub-tile width, so they act a bit strangely if you look at the collisions closely). Dwarves are also a bit enthusiastic with their new bin/barrel jobs -- when they grab a bin/barrel to load it up, it might have objects in it, and that might lead to conflicts/false shortages on occasion. We'll have to continue playing around with it. As far as I can tell, old saves load up fine and have usable minecart/wheelbarrows, so feel free to move your data/save folder over to the new version. You'll notice your old save stone haulers moving slower -- get some wheelbarrows built at the carpenter's for your stone stockpiles to alleviate that problem.
New stuff
(*) Minecarts can be used to haul things around on carved/constructed tracks/bridges ('h'auling to set up routes)
(*) Dwarves can be set to guide, push off, or ride carts that are ready to move to the next stop
(*) Track stops used to slow/stop cart and/or dump the contents on vehicle entry, can be disengaged with lever/plate
(*) Pressure plates can be triggered by carts
(*) Rollers can be used to push cart along when powered
(*) Minecarts limited to one per tile in general, various collisions can occur
(*) Wheelbarrows can be linked to stockpiles in order to move heavy objects (it'll auto-request one for stone stockpiles)
(*) Falling objects can collide with critters
(*) Camera can be attached to unit or item, can be linked to hotkeys from the unit/item screens
Other bug fixes/tweaks
(*) Stockpiles can be linked to workshops, can be set to give to multiple piles, can be set to accept items from links only
(*) Hauling jobs will often be combined, using one container
(*) Heavy items harder to haul
(*) Densities/colors updated, based on Uristocrat's data collection thread
(*) Can filter creature names in arena
(*) Mine drop rates tweaked, no longer skill-based
(*) Puzzleboxes/drum makeable
(*) Stopped blinking on bridges
(*) Projectiles using new code (most non-shot/thrown projectiles) can skip/skid on liquid/ground
(*) All flying units use new minecart parabolic flight paths
(*) Many projectiles do not resolve in adventure mode before your turn (so you can dodge a flying cart by moving away)
(*) Can create/assign to squads from v-p
(*) Squads can be given nicknames from v-p or the military screen
(*) Fixed broken clay stockpile option
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[0.34.09]
Here are the latest fixes. Note that your furniture stockpiles have some more type options now, and your old piles that had pots enabled will start with all the new tool options enabled (you should set them how you want them after you load it).
Major bug fixes
(*) Fixed various broken bucket jobs
(*) Rollers require power properly now and get carts to speed faster
(*) Stopped injuries from channeling and made objects and the digger move down to the ramp square when appropriate
(*) Stopped picking up of unit-occupied/speeding carts in adv mode
(*) Stopped wheelbarrow from getting stuck on obstacles that are built as it is moving
(*) Fixed problem where carts leaving ramps get their velocity throttled too much (or just outright stopped)
Other bug fixes/tweaks
(*) Stopped salt from spreading to fresh water, made fresh water destroy stagnant water
(*) Cleaned up stockpile options for tools
(*) Increased output of coke reactions
(*) Made materials for embark tools match definition
(*) Stopped fast travel when riding carts
(*) Fixed scrolling of hauling menu for screen heights greater than 25
(*) Made older saves set new vehicle ids correctly
(*) Fixed busted string when looking at objects on rollers
(*) Fixed typo in white sand density
Edit: You'll need to edit your old save's raws to see the increase in coke output if you import your old save. The affected file is data//raw/objects/reaction_smelter.txt.
The 9 and 5 in the product lines below are the new numbers. You can use whatever you want.
[REACTION:BITUMINOUS_COAL_TO_COKE]
...
[PRODUCT:100:9:BAR:NO_SUBTYPE:COAL:COKE][PRODUCT_DIMENSION:150]
[REACTION:LIGNITE_TO_COKE]
...
[PRODUCT:100:5:BAR:NO_SUBTYPE:COAL:COKE][PRODUCT_DIMENSION:150]
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And there you have it, fellow DF-ers; hope you enjoy! And of course, as always, please feel free to stop by Bay 12 forums for other Dwarf Fortress news!
Please follow the link for the DF homepage where you can directly download 0.34.08/.09!
Bay12games.com
Whoa! Minecarts is awesome!
Any info on when is this going to be up on Desura?
Cyber-
To be honest, I don't think it ever will be. I realized that it may not be the fault of Desura so much as Bay12; they never go on their Desura account, and I believe it's up to the developer to upload stuff. I post all of the articles myself currently, even though it normally falls to the developers to do so.
All that being said, it's JUST as easy to download from the DF homepage! It's right at the top for the newest version!