Digger was originally created by Windmill Software in 1983 and released as a copy-protected, bootable 5.25" floppy disk for the IBM PC. As it requires a genuine CGA card, it didn't work on modern PCs.
In 1998, Andrew Jenner aj@digger.org, created Digger Remastered, which runs on all PCs with CGA or better and plays just like the original.
Later on, Maksym Sobolyev sobomax@gmail.com, ported Adnrew's code to run on Linux/FreeBSD/Windows using SDL library, or on FreeBSD console using native "VGL" VESA graphics interface. That version is now being actively developed to move Digger into XXI century.
Some plans for the future releases include:
- 2.0, aka "Digger Reset"
o SDL 2.0 port (done); o further code cleanup (i.e. elimination of the d3adc0d3: WIN16, ETC), more logic moved into high-level objects (in-progress); o headless (VNC?) mode; o network play for 2 players; o screen update framerate that is independent of game perceived speed, "sub-pixel" updates.
- 3.0, aka "Digger Reloaded"
o bigger (open?) game world; o MMOG mode; o deathmatch mode; o new capabilities to the characters (i.e. superpowers), and interactions between them (i.e. gradual damage); o few types of diggers: scout, soldier, sniper etc. o monster AI 2.0? o digger AI to make teamplay/deathmatch interesting even in single-player mode. o teamplay.
We plan to keep the source code free and open at all times.