Until recently I'd never heard of the Let's Play concept, so when it was recommended that I investigate these videos I didn't know what to expect. I have known One F Jef for some time though, and being familiar with his dark sense of humor I knew whatever it was, it would be entertaining. If you don't know, as I didn't, Let's Play (LP) videos are short, ten minute self-narrated recordings of video game play. Knowing little about Dwarf Fortress I was not initially convinced that it was a fantastic candidate for LP since it is one of the few (only?) ASCII graphic games still in development. But, when the narration is good enough, that you can minimize the video and simply listen to the audio, graphics don't make a difference.

As is typical with Dwarf Fortress: Adventure Mode, Jef mows through a series of would be heroes, attempting any quest he's given, often leading to a gruesome and untimely demise. Occasionally he would embody an adventurer that would live to his first quest target, or even complete the quest; but even more rare of an event would be the likes of a an epic hero that lives to strangle sasquatches with turbans, engulf Elvin villages with fire, or hug goblins.

I got an opportunity to ask Jef a few questions. Here's what he had to say:

Cory: So having experienced your LP videos, I know that Dwarf Fortress (DF) is not only not a bad idea, but provides excellent content for commentary. You have to admit though, the prospect of producing or watching an LP for an ASCII based game doesn't exactly sound entertaining. How did you come to the decision to make these?

Jmo: Definitely not, it's missing a lot of things that typically make LP's funny or engaging like voice acting or 3d worlds. It makes up for all of that, though, with an insane amount of detail. With a bit of an overactive imagination, the possibilities are endless, and, with a bit of insanity, quite funny.

Cory: It turns out that naming your party members after your subscribers has created some interesting interaction in your channel and video comments. How did you come to the decision to name these pawns after your viewers, and then lead them to their inevitable doom?

Jmo: It was actually something commonly done on the DF forums for community fortresses. I first tried it out with my Pirates of the Fondled Waters Community Fortress

Cory: In one episode you spend hours searching every room for a Dwarven King just to find him in the last possible room, and naked. What was it that caused you keep your weapon holstered and not go postal on him for causing you so much greif and bringing you to the brink of insanity?

Jmo: The prospect of having to fight back OUT of there. If you attack a local NPC, you can't fast-travel out, so I would've had to wade through dwarven blood and guts. Plus, it's a rule, in Dwarf Fortress: kill the elves, spare the dwarves. If it was an elven leader, ohhhhhhh my. OH MY.

Cory: What are your plans for the future of LP Dwarf Fortress: Adventure Mode?

Jmo: Hmm, I've been thinking about a few things. I'd like to do a "Play Now!" adventure, where you start off naked, with NO skills, and no knowledge of the world around you. Also, building a trap-filled fortress for my adventurer to explore could be fun, or, better yet, having Dasqoot build one for me so I don't know where all the traps are.

Cory: Do you have any plans for YouTube content besides DF: AM?

Jmo: Yeah, I'd love to do more LP's, but, it's tough because almost every game I've ever heard of has been LP'd. It's an amazing phenomenon, and, I love watching them, but I think I like making them more. I'll have to look around for some hidden gems somewhere. I need a game to be really dynamic and interesting for me to get into it anyway, so, something along those lines.

Cory: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Jmo: Experience rivers.


Experience rivers indeed. If you have some time or need something to listen to that will brighten your mood, I highly recommend One f Jef's Lets Play Dwarf Fortress: Adventure mode. His wit and sarcasm, combined with the random and obscure of Adventure Mode, create an experience that can not be found anywhere else.