The Dig

The Dig
Developer: LucasArts Publisher: LucasArts Platforms: DOS, Mac OS Classic, Windows Released in US: November 1995 This game has unused code. This game has hidden development-related text. This game has unused text. This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden level select.

This page is rather stubbly and could use some expansion. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue this article? Notes: This game probably has loads more unused content owing to its difficult development period. Someone should have a "dig", if you'll pardon the pun.

The Dig is a point-and-click adventure based on a story written by Steven Spielberg, with a troubled development history (this is actually the third iteration of The Dig). Unlike other LucasArts adventures of the time, it's not very funny at all.

Debug Mode

Like many other games on the SCUMM Engine, The Dig has a built-in debug mode. However, the variable to enable it has been disabled.

It can be re-enabled by opening DIG.LA1 in a hex editor and changing the sequence of bytes starting at 0x236D from 44002F424F4F542E3030372F633A5C646967 to 590000000000000000000000000000000000. This bypasses the need for a debug password completely, and debug mode can be enabled after booting up the game simply by pressing Ctrl and D together. This edit has only been tested on the CD version of the game. It won't work in ScummVM, only in the original DOS (and possibly Windows 95) interpreter.

(Source: NeoDement)

At any time during gameplay, press one of the following keys/key combinations:

Key(s)	Action
Ctrl + E	Examine/Change a SCUMM variable. First specify the variable, then the value.
Ctrl + F	Fast mode.
Ctrl + G	Go to a room. First specify the room, then the X position.
Ctrl + O	Pick up an object. Just specify the object number.
Ctrl + L	Enter in a Boot Parameter. (There are no functional boot parameters in the finished game, although the demo had a few.)
Alt	Hold for fast mode.

(Source: Endy/Ender, bgbennyboy)

If you're curious what these debug options look like and don't want to crack open a hex editor to see them, here's a video showing them all:

Error Handlers

Some amusing error handlers found in some of the script files present in the game. C'mon Gary, sort it out.

icon-number ":var252:" is not an INVENTORY-ICON
real-set-cursor failed BUG!!! Show Gary!"
get-icon failed in real-set-cursor BUG!!! Show Gary!

Developer Text

This is hidden inside the game's main executable. It's in the DOS executable (DIG.EXE) at 0x72939 and the Windows executable (DIG95.EXE) at 0x4C848:

Aric disabled Monkey saves for some DIG thang!