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The DIG Manual-English

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FOREWORD

Hi. You don't know me, but I love you. After all, you bought this game which is the result of
many people's hard work, passion and late, late hours in front of glowing computer screens.
The Dig represents over two years of work with a development team that ranged in size from
one person to over 30 at its peak. Yup, that's a lot of people. Why? Well, it's a big game.
There are, lots of places to explore, and truckloads of special scenes and close-ups, I decid-
ed early on that the game should be more than a story on an alien world—it should be a
story in an alien world. That is, you should be immersed (as well as can be done with
current technology) in an alien environment. The world should be complete enough that you
begin to know it. It's not important whether you like it, hate it or fear it, but that you know it
well enough to make a subconscious decision about it. Toward that end, we tried to push
every aspect of the game as hard as we could. Music and sound design go way beyond the
usual "filler" and off-the-shelf sound effects. The full-digital music, ambient noises and sound
effects play an important role in setting the mood and feel of the environment. We've
employed new techniques for generating more realistic movement in our animations, as well
as a rendering scheme that takes longer but yields more realistic high-lights and shadows.
Some of the scenes required up to 38 layers of individually drawn animation cels, which
were all hand-painted and then composited. In short, wherever we found an opportunity to
make the world feel more complete, we exploited it shamelessly. With that, I'll stop
yabbering and let you experience The Dig.

Enjoy, Sean Clark,


Project Leader, The Dig

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ABOUT THE DIG
The Dig was written and developed by Sean Clark, based on an idea by Steven Spielberg.
The legendary director originally wanted to develop the idea into a film, but costs proved to
be prohibitive. Being a gamer himself, Spielberg saw the possibilities of The Dig as a
multimedia adventure. He approached LucasArts with his idea, resulting in the game you
are about to play.

THE DIG BEGINS


When Asteroid Attila appears suddenly in orbit around planet Earth, it causes an immediate
panic in the scientific community. It appears that Attila's orbit is decaying, putting it on a slow
but steady collision course with our planet, the potential impact packing enough punch to
wipe out a small city. NASA quickly organizes a shuttle mission to place two carefully
designed nuclear devices onto Attila. It is hoped that when detonated, these devices will
correct the big rock's course into a more stable orbit. Commander Boston Low, dubbed by
the press "the Reluctant Astronaut," is coaxed out of retirement to command a hand picked
crew for this crucial mission. NASA scientists debate over the correct placement of the
devices and whether the explosives will have the proper kilotonnage to alter the asteroid's
path. What no one imagines, however, is that once the asteroid's orbit is corrected,
chaos begins....

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MEET THE CREW
Commander Boston Low
A man of few words. Ordinarily he's a by-the-book astronaut,
but he has a talent for getting out of tight scrapes with
novel solutions. .

Dr. Ludger Brink


Science advisor on the mission, world-famous geologist and
archaeologist. Brink has an unquenchable curiosity and tends
to be stubborn when people get in the way of his research.

M a g g i e R obbins
Civilian observer and distinguished member of the press.
Robbins has a unique combination of persistence and luck that
makes for excellent reportage.

Ken Borden
Co-pilot. Borden's personality is the opposite of Low's: outgoing,
friendly and humorous. He does share Low's dedication to duty
and getting the job done.

Cora Miles
Payload specialist. Cora is another professional astronaut, but her orientation
is hardware. She takes care of her pieces of equipment as if they were her
children—and expects others to show her hardware similar respect.

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PLAYING THE GAME
This manual is intended to help with game play. For instructions on starting the game on
your computer, please refer to the update text included on this CD. As the story opens, the
space shuttle Atlantis approaches its orbit around Attila; the astronauts then leave the shuttle
to begin their mission. These non-interactive sequences are known as "cut-scenes"—short,
animated sequences, like scenes from a movie—that can provide clues and informa- tion
about the characters. Cut-scenes are also used to show special animated sequences, such
as the removal of the toolkit from the shuttle. When you view a cut-scene, you do not direct
the action. When the astronauts have left the shuttle, a crosshair-like cursor will appear on
the screen. This means you are ready to begin directing the actions of Commander Low,
your player character.

WHERE'S YOUR INTERFACE?


To pick up objects, use the mouse to move the cursor over them then click on the left mouse
button (or single-click the mouse button if you're a Mac user). If this is an object with which
you can interact, its name will appear on the sentence line (the words underneath the screen
image). If you are able to pick it up, the image of the object will take the place of the cursor.
You can then use the object immediately by moving it over another object or person and
clicking on the left mouse button. Another option is to right-click on an object (or use the
Tab key if you're a Mac user), which will allow you to add the object to your inventory.
After using an object or placing it in your inventory, the cursor will reappear on the screen.

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If you want to talk to someone, click on that person, andyou will get a series of dialogue
options. Click on the icon that represents the subject you wish to talk about.When Low
receives all the information he desires about a given subject, the icon will "blue out." If you
wish Low to come up with his own dialogue, click on the exclamation point (!) or the
question mark (?). When you're finished talking, click on the stop sign.

USING YOUR INVENTORY


To access your inventory, click on the small "i" in the lower left-hand corner of the screen or
right-click (Tab key if you're a Mac user) and the inventory screen will appear. Once the
inventory is displayed, click on the item you wish to use and that item will appear as your
cursor. Move the item outside the inventory in order to remove the inventory screen and use
the item in the game. When you are finished with the item, right-click (Tab key if you're a
Mac user), and the item will return to your inventory A special inventory item is the magnify-
ing glass, located in the upper left corner of the inventory display. This lets you take a closer
look at any item in the inventory. Click on the magnifying glass, and, once it becomes your
cursor, move it over the item you wish to examine. If you click on the item, you will get extra
information about it. This is especially useful with the engraved rods Low finds on Cocytus.

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THE PEN ULTIMATE
This useful item, found in your inventory, has two basic functions: the Lunar Lander game
(a quick diversion to clear your mind of solving difficult Dig puzzles), and the communications
function, which lets Low contact other members of the crew by pressing buttons with their
pictures on them. Of course,this doesn't always guarantee that they'll answer....

FUNCTION KEYS
S a v e / L o a d C o n t r o l Pa n e l
To save your progress in a game, which will enable you to turn the computer off and start
again later in the same place, use the save feature. Simply press the Save/Load Control Panel
function key (F1 or F5 on most computers).
Click on the SAVE button, then enter the name of the game you want to save in the first
vacant slot (reading from the top down). When you have finished typing the name of your
save game, click on OK.
If you wish to load a saved game, the procedure is almost the same: click on the LOAD
button, then click on the name of the saved game you wish to load. The Save/Load Control
Panel also has volume sliders for Music, Voice and Sound Effects. Moving the slider to the
right makes the volume louder and moving the slider to the left makes the volume softer. If
your sound card has a volume control, be sure it is set higher than level zero before using the
keyboard controls to fine-tune the volume level.
You can also check the DISPLAY TEXT box to have written text for the dialogue appear
onscreen. The TEXT SPEED slider causes text to appear faster when moved to the right and
slower when moved to the left.

Bypassing Cut-Scenes
To bypass a cut-scene, press the ESC key or press both mouse/joystick buttons at once.
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Pausing
To pause the game, press the space bar. Press it again to resume play.

Dialogue
You can display text and adjust its display speed through the Save/Load Con-trol Panel (F5).
By using the CTRL-T key combination, you can choose whether you want Text and Voice, Text
Only or Voice Only mode. If you are reading the text and have finished a sentence, you can
use the period (.) key to move to the next sentence.

Quitting
To quit The Dig, press Alt-X [on most computers]. If you plan to return to the game you're
playing, remember to save the game before quitting.

OUR GAME DESIGN PHILOSOPHY


We believe you buy games to be entertained, not to be whacked over the head [and abducted
to an alien planet) every time you make a mistake. So we don't bring the game to a screeching
halt and leave you stranded in outer space every time you poke your nose into a place you
haven't been before. Similarly, you won't find yourself accidentally stepping off a path or dying
because you've picked up a sharp object. Anything potentially disastrous that happens to the
crew of the Attila mission is supposed to happen to them. Exploring an alien planet is not a
stroll through the mall. We think you'd prefer to solve the game's mysteries by exploring and
discovering, not by dying a thousand deaths. That's not to say we took all of the action or
danger out of the game. It's all there, but it's part of the fun instead of the end of the fun.

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HOT KEYS > = (period) skip cur rent
. sentence in dialogue

= lef t click on Space = Pause


Retur n or Enter the mouse

Arrow keys move


the cursor = No rmal
2 4 6 8 W (walk) cursor

= Examine
= Save/Load E (magnif ying glass) cursor
F5 menu

= Examine item
X = Quit L on the cursor
Alt

= Go to the communications
= Escape cutscene C mode on the P en Ultimate
Esc

= Toggle inventor y
I screen on and off

A FEW HELPFUL HINTS


Pick up everything you can. Odds are, at some point, all those strange things will serve some
purpose. If you get stuck and can't figure out how to proceed, try looking through all the
items you've found and think about how each one might be used (perhaps with another item
in your inventory). Talk to people you meet (like your fellow crew members) and try to get
clues from them. Think about the places you've gone and the things you've seen. Chances
are you'll find a connection that will put you back on track.

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THE DIG CREDITS BORNEO SPACE OBSERVER VOICE PRODUCTION
DESIGNED AND Steven Blum VOICE DIRECTOR/
DIRECTED B Y REPORTERS PRODUCER
Sean Clark Mari Weiss Darragh O'Farrell
BASED ON A CONCEPT B Y David Lodge VOICE EDITOR
Steven Spielberg NEWSPERSONS Khris Brown
DIALOGUE BY Leilani Jones-Wilmore ASSISTANT VOICE EDITORS
Orson Scott Card James Garrett Coya Elliott
Sean Clark Julian Kwasneski
ADDITIONAL STOR Y B Y MUSIC AND SOUND VOICE PROCESSING
Steven Spielberg MUSIC BY SUPERVISOR
ADDITIONAL STOR Y B Y Michael Land Clint Bajakian
Brian Moriarty ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS VOICE PRODUCTION
LEAD ARTIST FROM ASSISTANCE
William V. Tiller Wagner: Overtures & Peggy Bartlett
LEAD PROGRAMMER Preludes © 1972 - © 1975 VOICE PRODUCTION
Gary Brubakar EMI Records Ltd. THANKS
Compilation © 1989 EMI Laurie McBean
THE CAST Records Ltd. Elliot Anders
COMMANDER BOSTON LOW All Rights Reserved. And all the other nice folks
Robert Patrick FEEDBACK NETWORK, at ScreenMusic Studios,
MAGGIE ROBBINS GUITAR AND DIGERIDOO Studio City, CA
Mari Weiss David Brown
LUDGER BRINK Aric Rubin ART AND ANIMATION
Steven Blum VIOLIN AND VIOLA ART STYLE
CORA MILES Irene Sazer Bill Eaken
Leilani Jones-Wilmore AMBIENT SOUND CREATURE CONCEPTS
KEN BORDEN Michael Land Peter Chan
David Lodge Clint Bajakian LEAD ARTIST
THE CREATOR SOUND EFFECTS William V. Tiller
James Garrett Clint Bajakian BACKGROUND ART
COCYTAN LEADER William V. Tiller
Steven Blum Adam Schnitzer
Bill Eaken

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SUPERVISING ANIMATORS Joe Letteri INSANE ANIMATION
Kevin Boyle Thomas L. Hutchinson SYSTEM
Sean Turner CEL PAINTERS Vince Lee
ANIMATORS Kim Balestreri Matthew Russell
Charlie Ramos Japeth Pieper iMUSE™ MUSIC SYSTEM
Graham Annable ART TECHS Michael Land
David DeVan Michele Harrell Michael McMahon
Chris Miles Jillian Moffett Peter McConnell
Geri Bertolo Kim Balestreri
ADDITIONAL ANIMATION Japeth Pieper QUALITY ASSURANCE
William V. Tiller Lleslle Aclaro LEAD TESTER
Michael Slisko Rachael Bristol Chris Purvis
Anson Jew Chris Weakley TESTERS
Peter Tsacle Aaron Muszalski Ryan Kaufman
Paul Topolos C. Andrew Nelson Rachael Bristol
SPECIAL EFFECTS LEAD EFFECTS Dan Pettit
ANIMATORS TECHNICIAN Theresa O'Connor
Chris Green Michael Levine Matthew Azeveda
Gordon Baker EFFECTS TECHNICIAN Scott Douglas
James Byers Reed Derleth
3D ANIMATION LUCASARTS Jo "Captain Tripps" Ashburn
Ralph Gerth PROGRAMMING LEAD COMPATIBILITY TESTING
Marc Benoit PROGRAMMER S Doyle Gilstrap
Daniel Colon, Jr. Gary Brubaker COMPATIBILITY TESTING
Ron Lussier Livia Mackin Jim Davison
MECHADEUS Jonathan Ackley Paul Purdy
Andy Murdock Mark Crowley QA MANAGER
Goose Ramirez Sean Clark Mark Cartwright
Bill Niemeyer SCUMM SYSTEM QA SUPERVISOR
Cody Chancellor Aric Wilmunder Dan Connors
Melissa Kangeter Aaron Giles QA ARCHIVIST
INDUSTRIAL Brad P. Taylor Wendy Kaplan
LIGHT & MAGIC BOOTMAKER PROGRAM
Lincoln Hu Paul LeFevre
Jay Riddle

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MARKETING Tony Burquez DIRECTOR OF
PRODUCT MARKETING lan Campbell TECHNOLOGY
MANAGER Douglas Scott Kay
Tom Byron Amy Coffman
PUBLIC RELATIONS Dave Harris ART DEPARTMENT
MANAGER Troy Molander DIRECTOR
Sue Seserman HINT LINE REPS Collette Michaud
PUBLIC RELATIONS Bob McGehee ART DEPARTMENT
SPECIALIST Thomas Scott OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
Tom Sarris Kellie Walker Laurie Blavin
INTERNET MARKETING TECH REPS DIRECTOR OF
SPECIALIST Stacey Ackerman PRODUCTION
Jason Deadrich Dino Ago Steve Dauterman
PACKAGE DESIGN Brian Carlson GENER AL COUNSEL
Soo Hoo Design Jonathon Jackson Bob Roden
MANUAL DESIGN Julian Kwasneski HUMAN RESOURCES
Shepard Associates Manny Martinez Holly Green
Melinda Miller NATIONAL SALES
PRODUCTION Janice Romano MANAGER
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lynn Selk Meredith Cahill
Camela Boswell Erik Shumaker MANUFACTURING &
CORRESPONDENCE DISTRIBUTION
PRODUCTION Beverly Brennan Jason Horstman
COORDINATOR Jay Geraci MANAGER ,
Susan Upshaw DOCUMENTATION INTERNATIONAL
Brian Bonet Lisa Star
PRODUCT SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL
P R O D U C T S U P P OR T LUCASARTS PRODUCTION MANAGER
MANAGER ENTERTAINMENT Cindy Leung
Mara Kaehn COMPANY CONTROLLER
HINT LINE SUPERVISOR PRESIDENT Tom McCarthy
Tabitha Tosti Jack Sorensen VOICE DEPARTMENT
PRODUCT SUPPORT DIRECTOR OF SALES MANAGER
LEADS AND MARKETING Tamlynn Barra
Anne Barson Mary Bihr

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41116.260.AU

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