Dwarf Fortress Reaches Amazing 1 Million Sales on Steam

Dwarf Fortress, the beloved indie game created by brothers Tarn and Zach Adams, has sold over 1 million copies on Steam since its premium release in December 2022.

Publisher Kitfox Games shared this exciting milestone on Bluesky, thanking fans for their incredible support.

This achievement is particularly impressive considering that Dwarf Fortress had been in development for more than 20 years before appearing on Steam. The game initially gained a devoted following as free software before Kitfox partnered with the developers at Bay 12 Games to create a paid version with improved graphics and features.

The game's success has far exceeded what anyone expected. According to Kitfox's publishing report from February 2023, they anticipated selling around 160,000 copies in the first two months. Instead, Dwarf Fortress reached that target within just 24 hours of release. By the end of the two-month launch window, the game had sold over 600,000 copies.

This commercial success transformed the financial situation for the Adams brothers. Before the Steam release, they earned about $15,000 monthly from donations. The premium version has earned them approximately $7 million, providing much-needed stability to continue developing their passion project.

Kitfox founder Tanya X. Short emphasized that Dwarf Fortress represents a unique case in gaming. In her detailed breakdown on Medium, she explained that the game already had "legendary status" online before coming to Steam, giving it a significant advantage. The publisher's role wasn't to work directly on the game but rather to maintain trust within the community while Bay 12 refined their creation.

For those unfamiliar with Dwarf Fortress, it's a single-player fantasy simulation game that combines colony management, roguelike elements, and world-building. Players can enjoy two main modes: Fortress Mode, where they manage a dwarven colony, and Adventure Mode, which was added to the Steam version in January 2025 and offers a more RPG-style experience.

What makes Dwarf Fortress special is its incredible depth. The game tracks countless details, from weather patterns to individual dwarves' emotions. Its procedurally generated worlds ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, creating unique stories through unscripted events. The game's slogan, "Losing is fun," reflects both its challenge and its charm.

The Steam version, priced at $29.99, made significant improvements to accessibility. Instead of the original ASCII graphics, it features pixel art, an improved user interface with mouse controls, tutorials, and enhanced sound and music.

The game currently holds a "95% Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam from over 28,000 reviews.

Source: Game Developer