I'm so happy for these guys. Selling 300,000 copies @ $30 each is life-changing money. Over the years they've accepted donations but from what I've seen it's tended to a few thousand dollars a month. Decent but not a lot for 2 people.
I still find DF really inaccessible but this Steam release will prompt me to give it another go. Whatever the case, I'm happy for their success.
Classic DF is inaccessible during the first hour only if you follow a good tutorial. Most anybody willing to slog through that hour will be able to get it.
Lots of AAA games these days won’t even have you playing that quick (though for different reasons)
Back in the day the 10hr+ youtube tutorial series was considered prime viewing before even playing dorf fort, for someone without any traditional rogue experience. Even watching a condensed video and starting, I don't imagine the game would feel accessible for many hours for the average AAA enjoyer.
My 6yr old however, is able to pick up and finish most any appropriately age rated AAA game. 5 minutes of experimenting with the controls and they are as good to go.
As an observer since the initial release, Tarn repeatedly refused requests to compromise by expanding the team or involving a publisher. It was a genuine passion project the sort of which rarely succeed financially. I couldn't be happier for them!
I still find DF really inaccessible but this Steam release will prompt me to give it another go. Whatever the case, I'm happy for their success.