Dwarf Fortress is finally coming to Steam. The graphics will be completely redesigned! You'll be dazzled by pixelated creatures, handsome monsters, and maps that actually look like maps. But perhaps more importantly, the way you control and interact with the burgeoning dwarf empire will also get a facelift.

In the latest development update, designer Tarn Adams introduced us to the new and improved UI. While it may still look plain compared to the flashy and elaborate interfaces of other modern games, it is quite a leap from what Dwarf Fortress veterans have become accustomed to.

If you play from the original ASCII version, it looks like this:

And the new version looks like this:

The Steam version of Dwarf Fortress finally makes use of the mouse instead of the keyboard. Tabs have also been added, and text filters make it easier to find what you are looking for.

However, there is still work to be done and a release date has not yet been announced. The team began work on a new version of the game in February, but effectively restructuring the game is no mean feat. In the meantime, Dwarf Fortress Classic isn't going anywhere and will continue to be updated for free.