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. See http://digger.org for more information about his remake, the history of the game as well as the history of Windmill Software and their other games.
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.
Furthermore, Michael Knigge michael.knigge@gmx.de, did some minor enhancements, cleaned up the code a little bit, fixed some minor bugs, gave the "redefine keyboard" dialog a new look and feel and provided an Installer for Microsoft Windows along with the Appveyor CI scripts.
Very recently, the WebAssembly version has been added as well, allowing Digger to run directly in your browser.
Some plans for the future releases include:
-
2.0, aka "Digger Reset"
- SDL 2.0 port
- fullscreen mode for Windows
- toggle fullscreen and window mode with Alt-Enter
- installer for Windows
- revised redefine keyboard
- make CGA graphics available again (for nostalgia)
- further code cleanup (in-progress)
- move logic into high-level objects
- remove obsolete command line options
- 64-bit Windows build
- remove obsolete DOS functions (i. e. function s0setupsound() and so on)
- remove ARM specific code (SDL 2.0 is not available on ARM, so the ARM specific code is useless)
- remove DIGGER_VERSION and give Digger a regular version number
- headless (VNC?) mode
- network play for 2 players
- screen update framerate that is independent of game perceived speed, "sub-pixel" updates
-
3.0, aka "Digger Reloaded"
- bigger (open?) game world
- MMOG mode
- deathmatch mode
- new capabilities to the characters (i.e. superpowers), and interactions between them (i.e. gradual damage)
- few types of diggers: scout, soldier, sniper etc.
- monster AI 2.0?
- digger AI to make teamplay/deathmatch interesting even in single-player mode
- teamplay
The source code will be free and open at all times. Digger Remastered is source code has been contributed by different people and licensed under the terms of several licenses including Public Domain, Beer-Ware, 2-clause BSD and GNU General Public License version 2. Please refer to a specific source file as well as source code history to find out more.