Debug Modes

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Sierra On-Line Debug Mode FAQ



Sierra On-Line AGI Debug Modes

Version 0.93 Jan. 06, 2014 by HWM. Partially based on the On-Line Debug Mode FAQ by HWM


AGI Debug Introduction

This debug mode is solely script related. A debug script is located directly in the game logic itself, not in the interpreter (although the interpreter of course offers the commands to use in the script). If a game does not have the debug script in its logic, it will not work. However, pretty much all the games have a debug mode, except for Mixed-Up Mother Goose and the Manhunter series. The latter does have some unused messages relating to a debug mode in it, but it's likely removed from the final release. The AGI demo packs and other demonstrations also don't include a debug mode.

AGI1 is an old and uncommon interpreter. The only games using it are the rare first (booter) versions of King's Quest 2 and The Black Cauldron. However, the AGI1 games do have a debug mode, so they're included here. Donald Duck's Playground is also a booter game, but in many aspects more like AGI2, including the version number given by Sierra (v2.001), so it's listed under AGI2. The first release of King's Quest 1 is sometimes listed as AGI0, but technically this more a container category for the first versions of the first release of King's Quest, not really one interpreter.

AGI2 and AGI3 have few differences and have similar debug functions. Debug-wise the only major difference is that AGI3 does not contain the trace-function. AGI3 games are Gold Rush!, King's Quest 4 AGI, the Manhunter series and a certain version (v2.10) of The Black Cauldron. Some demos also use AGI3. The rest of the games use AGI2.

 

Activating Debug Modes

Most AGI games still have the debug code that developers used while the games were being developed. Most of the games activate their debug modes by simply pressing the [ALT-D] key combination. The other games use a "magic phrase" to enter the debug mode. Once activated, here are commands that can be used.

 

Activating AGI1 Debug Modes

In King's Quest 2, the debug mode is activated by entering "FAST SPEAK" at the command line. It will be activated on room change. In The Black Cauldron, the debug mode is activated by pressing [ALT + D]. This would eventually become the standard way of activation. The debug mode will be deactivated on room change. Also, activating the debug mode multiple times will generate multiple input/output lines!

Game Debug Phrase Notes
King's Quest II "fast speak" (activated on room change)  
The Black Cauldron Alt+D

 

Activating AGI2/AGI3 Debug Modes

Of all the AGI games, it is unknown whether the KQ4AGI 256K version, Manhunter 1, Manhunter 2 and Mixed-Up Mother Goose have a debug mode or not. KQ4 will almost certainly have one, while Mixed Up Mother Goose probably doesn't even though its WORDS.TOK file has all the debug words contained in it. MH2 has some kind of debug mode which allows you to teleport and change variable values because there are text messages in the first Logic file along these lines. MH1 probably has the same debug mode.

Again, the debug mode is usually activated by pressing [ALT + D]. However, there are some alternative ways/exceptions with some games. These games require a certain sentence to be typed in; perhaps this was done to access the debug mode on other platforms, without redefining keys in the code. The games and their sentences are:

Game Debug Phrase Notes
Gold Rush! "bird boy" or "bird man"  
King's Quest 1 Alt+D  
King's Quest II "fast speak" or Alt+D  
King's Quest III "rats ass" (v2.14) or Alt+D  
King's Quest IV AGI Alt+D  
Leisure Suit Larry 1 Alt+D  
Police Quest 1 "stink bug" or "stink bugs" (v2.0G)  
Space Quest 1 "backstage" or "dbg"  
Space Quest II "dbg" or Alt+D

 

Debug Mode Commands

 

AGI1 Debug Mode Commands

After the debug mode is activated, the following commands are available:

Room and Ego Commands
Command Action Notes
ROOM Displays room number  
TP (room number) Teleport to specified room (change room/scene/script)  
SP Shows position of ego *  
SHOW POSITION Show ego's current screen coordinates *  
POSITION + (new coordinates) Change egos position  
SHOW PRIORITY Displays the current rooms priority bands and control lines  
SET PRIORITY Set the priority of ego  
RELEASE PRIORITY Release the last priority that ego was set to

* Does not work with King's Quest 2

Flag and Variable Commands
Command Action Notes
SHOW FLAG Displays a specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
SET FLAG Sets a specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
RESET FLAG Clears specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
SHOW VAR Displays one of the 256 variables  
SET VAR Change the value of one of the 256 variables
Object/Inventory Debug Commands
Command Action Notes
OBJECT NUMBER Displays list of all the objects and their object numbers  
OBJECT ROOM Displays which room an object is found in  
GET OBJECT Get specified object and added to inventory  
GIMME GIMME Get all inventory items

* There are 256 variables and 256 flags

Misc Debug Commands
Command Action Notes
QUIT Quit game (originally, but now locks up)

 

AGI2/AGI3 Debug Commands

After the debug mode is activated, the following commands are available:

Room and Ego Commands
Command Action Notes
ROOM Displays room number  
TP (room number) Teleport to specified room (change room/scene/script)  
SP Shows position of ego *  
SHOW POSITION or POSITION Show ego's current screen coordinates *  
POSITION + (new coordinates) Change egos position  
SHOW PRIORITY Displays the current rooms priority bands and control lines  
SET PRIORITY Set the priority of ego  
RELEASE PRIORITY Release the last priority that ego was set to

* Does not work with King's Quest 2

Flag and Variable Commands
Command Action Notes
SHOW FLAG Displays a specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
SET FLAG Sets a specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
RESET FLAG Clears specified flag (one of 256 flags)  
SHOW VAR or SHOW VARIABLE Displays one of the 256 variables  
SET VAR or SET VARIABLE Change the value of one of the 256 variables
Object/Inventory Debug Commands
Command Action Notes
OBJECT NUMBER Displays list of all the objects and their object numbers  
OBJECT ROOM Displays which room an object is found in  
GET OBJECT Get specified object and adds to inventory  
GIMME GIMME Get all inventory items

* There are 256 variables and 256 flags

Misc Debug Commands
Command Action Notes
QUIT Quit game (locks up with most later games)  
[SCROLL LOCK] Trace mode*

* Only works with AGI v2

 

Game Specific Debug Commands

Note: Not all of these commands will work with all versions of the games

 

The Black Cauldron
Command Action Notes
GIMME GIMME All objects get added to inventory  
OBJECT ROOM Shows in which room certain object is located  
SHOW OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen (BC)  
ALT + P Shows priority screen  
ALT + M Shows available memory  
ALT + I Gives information on objects on screen  
ALT + E Shows position of ego  
ALT + D Exits debug mode (BC)  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority *  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen

 

Donald Duck's Playground
Command Action Notes
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen

 

Gold Rush!
Command Action Notes
ROOM NUMBER Shows room number  
SHOW POSITION Shows coordinates of ego  
SHOW MEM Shows available memory  
SHOW OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
ALT + S Gives information on objects on screen  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority *  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen
TP Will activate teleport. Asks which room number you wish to go to.

 

King's Quest II

Here are a few interesting tricks to help you deal with that intolerable wizard in debug mode (). Type:

Command Action Notes
CHECK OUT FLAG Shows certain status information  
F8 Shows priority screen  
F10 Shows available memory

 

King's Quest III

Here are a few interesting tricks to help you deal with that intolerable wizard in debug mode (). Type:

Command Action Notes
ALT + I Gives information on objects on screen  
EXAMINE OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
OBJECT ROOM Shows in which room certain object is located  
GET OBJECT Adds selected object to inventory  
GIMME GIMME Adds all objects to inventory  
ROOM NUMBER Shows room number  
ALT + P Shows priority screen *  
F6 Shows priority screen **  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen ****  
ROOM Shows coordinates of ego  
ALT + E Shows position of ego  
ALT + X Shows coordinates of ego  
EXAMINE POSITION Shows coordinates of ego **  
FIND Shows position of ego  
F10 Shows available memory ***  
ALT + M Shows available memory *  
ENCHANTER STATUS or WIZARD STATUS Gives a detailed status of Manannan.  
HERE ENCHANTER or HERE WIZARD Gives a detailed status of Manannan.  
SLEEP ENCHANTER or SLEEP WIZARD Manannan goes to sleep.  
BYE BYE ENCHANTER or BYE BYE WIZARD Kills Manannan.  
DO CHORE Sets assigned task flag as done.  
PUT UP SPELL Gives all inventory items.  
PUT UP MOUNTAIN Changes game state to arrival at the kingdom of Daventry  
PUT UP BOAT Changes game state to the beginning of the sailing trip  
GIMME SPELL Gives all magical items

* King's Quest 3 has several versions and some these commands won't work, or will use different keys like F6 or F10 (e.g. v1.01)
** King's Quest 3 v1.01
*** Not King's Quest 3 v. 2.14
**** "Enter" to return to normal visual screen for v. 2.14

 

King's Quest IV AGI

Note: In the newer versions of the game most of the debugging commands do not work

Command Action Notes
TP Teleport to room *  
GIMME GIMME All objects get added to inventory  
OBJECT ROOM Shows in which room certain object is located  
OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
ROOM Shows coordinates of ego  
ALT + P Shows priority screen  
ALT + M Shows available memory  
ALT + I Gives information on objects on screen  
ALT + E Shows position of ego  
ALT + X Shows coordinates of ego  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen  
CREATE DAY Turns the game into day  
CREATE DARK Turns the game into night  
TIME Gives in-game time  
TRACE Trace mode (originally, but does not work)

* For a list of room numbers for KQ4, see the King's Quest IV Room Maps.

 

Leisure Suit Larry 1

Press ALT+D and press enter twice to enable Debug Mode.

Command Action Notes
TP (room #*) Teleport to specified room See here for a list of room numbers
OBJECT NUMBER Shows list of objects in game  
OBJECT ROOM Shows in which room certain object is located  
ALT+I or SP (object #) Shows information about screen objects  
GET OBJECT (item #) To get specified object See here for a list of inventory items
GIMME GIMME All objects get added to inventory  
ROOM NUMBER X/Y Coordinates and current room number  
EXAMINE POSITION Shows coordinates of ego  
FIND Shows position of ego  
ALT + P (ALT+V or PRIORITY[1]) Shows priority screen  
ALT + M Shows available memory  
ALT + I Gives information on objects on screen  
ALT + E Shows position of ego  
SHOW VAR or SV Display value of variable  
SET VAR or CHANGE VAR Change value of variable  
SET FLAG or SF Set a flag  
VIEW FLAG or SHOW FLAG See flags  
RESET FLAG Reset a flag  
ALT+M Display heap size  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen
SET PRIORITY Sets priority  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen  

 

Police Quest
Command Action Notes
GIMME GIMME All objects get added to inventory  
OBJECT ROOM Shows in which room certain object is located  
OBJECT NUMBER Shows list of objects in game  
OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
ROOM Shows coordinates of ego  
ALT + P Shows priority screen  
ALT + M Shows available memory  
ALT + I Gives information on objects on screen  
ALT + E Shows position of ego  
ALT + X Shows coordinates of ego  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen
Space Quest I
Command Action Notes
OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
SHOW MEMORY Shows available memory  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
tester Displays EGO's screen coordinates.  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen  
CASH Change amount of money  
DRINK CLOTHES Changes ego to normal outfit  
BE ALIEN Changes ego to alien outfit  
DRINK JET PACK Changes ego to wear jetpack  
NO HELMET Changes ego to alien (without helmet)
Space Quest II

Type DBG or BACKSTAGE to enter debug mode.

Command Action Notes
OBJECT Gives information on objects on screen  
SHOW MEMORY Shows available memory  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
tester Displays ego's screen coordinates.  
SHOW PRIORITY Shows priority screen  
SET PRIORITY Sets priority  
RELEASE PRIORITY Returns to normal visual screen


Sierra On-Line SCI Debug Modes

Version 0.93 Jan. 06, 2014 by HWM. Thanks to Omer Mor, Lars Skovlund & Kelmer for their valuable information.


SCI Debug Introduction

This FAQ will explain the several debug modes found in Sierra On-Line adventure games.

Before you read, keep in mind the following things:

  • References to "ego" mean "the main character" or the object you control.
  • Any brackets, asterisks or quotation marks should NOT be typed in. They're only used to clarify.
  • Anything between brackets means it's either a key or a combination of keys. So [CTRL + D] means you push the CONTROL-key and the D-key at the same time.
  • Between quotation marks means it should be typed in.
  • Words between asterisks should be replaced with a proper word/object/thing. So "PITCH *object name*" means you should type the object you want to get, e.g. "PITCH WIG".
  • Commands to be used in the debug modes are listed in upper case and are followed by dash and a description of their effect. The input of commands is case insensitive.

And while you might know, Sierra games use an "interpreter". This basically is a program/system which translates the program statements (in byte-code) into executable machine code one line at a time as the program is running; as opposed to a compiler, which translates the entire program before the program is executed. The different interpreters used by Sierra for their games are described in the next chapter.

This FAQ only covers the debug modes of IBM PC versions, however, some of them might work on the other systems too.

Corey Cole[2] wrote:

There was a built-in debugger in all early SCI games. Later on it became a module that, if you copied that file to the game directory, let you access the debugger. The idea was that some bugs would only show up "in the field" in live releases of games. When someone reported a bug, the customer service rep would request a saved game file. Loading that file with the debug module present let a programmer trace the code, look at variables, and so on to find the bug. It wouldn't have been good enough to restore the save file into a debug version of the game - Sometimes a bug that shows up in one build can't be duplicated in another.


SCI0

SCI0 (Sierra's Creative Interpreter v0.000.xxx)

  • Video: 320x200 resolution, 16 colors (and dithering)
  • Audio: MIDI
  • Platform: IBM PC (including PCjr & TANDY), Commodore AMIGA, Atari ST & Apple Macintosh
  • Period: 1988-1990

Games using the SCI0 interpreter:


SCI1/SCI1.1

SCI1/SCI1.1 (Sierra's Creative Interpreter v1.xxx.xxx)

  • Video: 320x200 resolution, 256 colors (32 colors on the Amiga)
  • Audio: MIDI/Digital audio
  • Platform: IBM PC (286+), Commodore AMIGA, Apple Macintosh & FM Towns(?)
  • Period: 1990-1993

Games using the SCI1/SCI1.1 interpreter:


SCI32

SCI32 (Sierra's Creative Interpreter v2.xxx.xxx & v3.xxx.xxx)

  • Video: 32 bit, 320x200/640x400/others?
  • Audio: MIDI/Digital audio
  • Platform: IBM PC (386+) & Apple Macintosh
  • Period: 1993-1997

Games using the SCI32 interpreter:


Debug mode in SCI0 games

Nearly all SCI0 games have an internal debugger, meaning a build-in debugger in the game's interpreter. Next to that, some games also have a script debugger. Like with AGI games, a script debugger is a debug script located directly in the game code itself, rather than in the interpreter's code.


Internal Debugger

The internal debugger is activated by simultaneously pressing [SHIFT + SHIFT + MINUS] (the MINUS key located at the NUMERIC keypad). The debugger is/was mainly useful for programmers, but some things like changing variables can be easily done.

Command Action Notes
Q Quit game  
B Set Breakpoint  
A Inspect ID in accumulator  
C Inspect Current Set of Objects

Press C to see all of the objects within that set. Press I to inspect the selector. Press E to edit that selector.		  
I Inspect Object/Memory

Press cursor Up/Down to go up/down through the memory by 16 bytes and Left/Right to go up/down the memory by 2 bytes.		  
F Show free heap  
S Show sends  
R Show resource types  
O Show objects in heap  
[SHIFT + O] Show objects with addresses  
[SHIFT + S] Show stack usage  
G Change global variable  
L Change local variable  
T Change temp variable  
ENTER Proceed single step through script.  
TAB Step across send  
[SHIFT + /] Help; shows list (incomplete) of shortcuts.  

Note that these are case sensitive, so [CAPS LOCK] should be deactivated.

Example: The room number is controlled by global variable 13. When the debug is activated, push [G]. It will ask which global variable should be changed. Enter "13". Now it will show the current value of the variable. Change this to your preferred, valid room number. Exit the debugger ([SHIFT + SHIFT + MINUS] or [SHIFT + SHIFT + D]) to see the effect.


Script Debugger

The script debugger is a bit more interesting and often more extensive. Not all games have a script debugger, some of them were likely removed before the final release of the game. However, a fair number of games still have it. The script debugger is in most cases activated by typing a certain sentence in the game. This sentence differs from game to game.

When there isn't a sentence to type, but a debug is present in the game, it can be activated by changing the value of a certain global variable. An example of doing this is given in the previous chapter "Internal Debugger".

Note that in some games, the debug mode will be activated on room change.

When the script debugger is activated, the following general commands are available:

Command Action Notes
[CTRL + left click] Instant movement (of ego) Does not work with Quest for Glory / Hero's Quest
[SHIFT + left click] Show coordinates  


Specific SCI0 Game Debug Modes


The Colonel's Bequest

To activate the debug mode, hold down both Shift keys and press the - key on the number pad. Press Shift and D to exit.

The following options are available:

Command Action Notes
Q Quit  
B Set Breakpoint  
O Show objects in heap  
Shift + O Show objects with address  
A Inspect ID in accumulator  
C Inspect Current Set of Objects

Press C to see all of the object within that
set. Press I to inspect the selector.
Press E to edit that selector.

I Inspect Object/Memory - The player can

also press up/down to go up/down through
the memory by 16 bytes and left/right
to go up/down the memory by 2 bytes ||  

F Show Free Heap  
S Show sends  
G Change Global Variable  
L Change Local Variable  
T Change Temporary Variable  
Enter Single Step through Script  
Tab Step across Send  
C Show objects in heap  
R Show resources loaded  
Shift + S Shock stack usage  
Shift + / Show an incomplete list of shortcuts  

Note: the commands are case sensitive.

To teleport change the room number value in global variable (13). In debug mode push [G] and enter "13". Change the current value of the variable to the room number to be teleported to (must be a valid room number). Exit to activate.


King's Quest 4

To activate the debug mode, type: "overtime nosleep". An extra menu item will be activated on room change.

The following options are available:

General commands
Command Action
TP Teleport (change room/scene/script)*
ENTER NIGHT Changes game state into night on room change
GET MEMORY Show memory
[CTRL + D] Internal debug will pop up when entering a new room
Menu Items
Menu Item Command Action
Ego info [ALT + E] Show ego information
Free Mem [ALT + F] Show memory
Show Room [ALT + R] Show current room number
Show ATPs [ALT + P] Show ATPs (Add-To-Pic)
Set Inv [ALT + S] Gives inventory item
Set Var [ALT + V] Set global variable
Get All [ALT + G] Gives all inventory items
Log [ALT + L] Log information
Control [F4] Show control lines
Priority [F6] Show priority screen
Visual [F10] Show visual screen
Clicks    
  [ALT + Left click] Show ego information
  [CTRL + Left click] Moves ego instantly to point of click

Most options are also available in the debug menu item. The menu option "Clicks" will (de-)activate the debug options triggered by mouse.

* See the King's Quest IV Room Maps page for room numbers.


Leisure Suit Larry 2

There are two ways of activating this debug mode, depending on the version of your copy of the game.

With v1.000.011, the debug mode can be activated by typing: "praise lord" The debug mode will be activated when entering a new room.

Although "praise lord" works too in v1.002.000 (the one included in the Leisure Suit Larry collections), it offers another method. At the copy-protection sequence at the start of the game, a phone number is asked. Enter "555-0724" (Al Lowe's birthday, July 24, 1946) to pass the copy-protection and get the debug mode activated.

You can also use the internal debugger. Activate the debugger directly after executing the game. Don't try this on anything higher than a 386, but rather use DOSBox with 3000 CPU cycles or so. When the debugger shows up, change global variable 100 into 1 and exit the debugger. The main difference with the other activation methods is that you'll get a room selector at the beginning and the copy-protection is disabled. Both versions support this.

Command Action Notes
TP Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
GET *object* Get *object*  
PITCH *object* Drop *object*  
MAKE NOTE Log information  
SHOW TIMER Show timer  
SHOW EGO Show ego information  
SHOW GRID Show grid This removed option crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control lines  
[ALT + F] Show fragmenting  
[ALT + I] Regain typing during movies  
[ALT + M] Show memory  
[ALT + D] Internal debug mode  
[ALT + R] Show current room number  
[ALT + V] Show visual screen  
[ALT + Z] Quit  

The debug mode also activates some extra features, mainly in the last scenes of the game. Larry doesn't die after falling in and around the volcano and the items for the final act are given. Earlier in the game, on the ship, a message is displayed when entering your cabin, giving information on the (coming) presence of "Mama".


Leisure Suit Larry 3

To activate the debug mode, type: "ascot backdrop". The debug mode will be activated when entering a new room.

Command Action Notes
TP Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + W] Write to log  
[ALT + E] Change view of ego  
[ALT + R] Show current room number  
[ALT + T] ?  
[ALT + P] Show priority screen  
[ALT + S] Change from Larry to Patty or vice versa  
[ALT + D] Internal debug mode  
[ALT + F] Internal debug will pop up when entering a new room  
[ALT + G] Room tester Before this will work, you'll have to place the SCI picture resource of the room you want to test in the game directory and rename it to "PIC.999". That specific picture/room will be shown and can be tested in the game.
[ALT + C] Show control lines  
[ALT + V] Show visual screen  
[ALT + M] Show memory  

The debug mode has some extra effects, for example limiting the actions required at the gym to five times and giving extra debug information at some parts, like the copy-protection sequence in the casino.

It also activates some "game state" modifiers. In the casino, go upstairs and walk to the right, to the room with mirror and bar entrance.

Command Action
INCREASE BACKSTAGE Change (increase) state of showroom (Cherri Tart)
INCREASE NEWSPAPER Change (increase) state of newspaper (messages)
INCREASE LAWYER Change (increase) state of lawyer (Suzi Cheatem)

Furthermore, the self-running demo of LSL3 has the same debug mode, but also includes a room-selector at the beginning. It can be activated by extracting SCRIPT.000 from the RESOURCE files (the easiest way being the Sierra Resource Viewer (SV)) and in addition changing the byte at offset 0x00000064 from "01" to "00". Beware that it's not really worth it, since it's pretty much the same deal and lots of missing resources cause it to crash easily. Fun fact: The phrase to activate the debug mode in the demo (and likely early in development too) is "shit bush".

An additional option is available in the non-English versions of the game, regardless if the debug mode is activated or not. It can be activated by typing "adjust bambi": It toggles (room) information to be displayed on the menu bar. This option doesn't seem work in any of the English versions however.

  1. ↑ Not v 1.00
  2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/172140776253988/posts/2375676249233752/?comment_id=2375914059209971

Mixed-up Mother Goose

Since the input is disabled, use the internal debugger to change the value of global variable 100 to 1.

Command Action
[ALT + P] Show priority screen
[ALT + C] Show control lines
[ALT + V] Show visual screen
[ALT + S] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[CTRL + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[CTRL + D] Shows which item is in which room
[CTRL + C] Changes score to 17 out of 18
[ALT + left click] Show ego information

A useless (but interesting for some nonetheless) debug menu is still partly in the game's scripts. It can be activated by extracting SCRIPT.000 from the RESOURCE files (the easiest way being the Sierra Resource Viewer (SV)) and in addition changing the byte at offset 0x000026C7 to "01" (instead of the original "00"). This will activate the debug mode at the start of the game, which will also initialize the extra pulldown menus.


Police Quest 2

Police Quest 2 should respond to the sentence: "kiss angel 187", but somehow it doesn't work. So use the internal debugger to change the value of global variable 101 to 1.

Command Action
[ALT + P] Show priority screen
[ALT + C] Show control lines
[ALT + V] Show visual screen
[ALT + S] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + M] Show memory
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + I] Gives inventory item
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[SHIFT + /] Help

Quest for Glory / Hero's Quest

To activate the debug mode, type: "razzle dazzle root beer"

Command Action
[ALT + P] Show priority screen
[ALT + C] Show control lines
[ALT + V] Show visual screen
[ALT + S] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + M] Show memory
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + I] Gives inventory item
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + B] Change amount of silvers
[ALT + X] Sets all stats to 80
[ALT + K] Change value of skills
[SHIFT + /] Help

Quest for Glory 2

This game does not have an internal debugger. The demo version however, does, and its interpreter can be used with the full version. This may have some restrictions, since some versions of the game use a more recent interpreter than the demo, which potentially can cause problems. Please refer to 4.1 on how to swap interpreters in the early SCI1 games.

To activate the debug mode, type: "suck blue frog"

Command Action
[ALT + P] Show priority screen
[ALT + C] Show control lines
[ALT + V] Show visual screen
[ALT + S] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + M] Show memory
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + I] Gives inventory item
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + B] Change amount of silvers
[ALT + L] Write to log
[ALT + K] Change value of skills
[ALT + H] Change all skills to one value
[ALT + W] Write features
[ALT + F] Shows free heap
[ALT + G] Path Writer
[ALT + U] Show cast 2?
[ALT + N] Write note
[ALT + Z] Exit game
[CTRL + W] Write cast to file (for tester)
[SHIFT + /] Help

Space Quest 3

To activate the debug mode, type: "backstage pass"

Command Action
TP Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + R] Show current room number
[ALT + Y] Assign object
[ALT + P] Show priority screen
[ALT + H] Show free heap
[ALT + C] Show control lines
[ALT + V] Show visual screen
[ALT + Z] Quit

Another option is available in the starting room of the game: Type "QA" to get a selection screen with the choice between various game states (in space, arriving on different planets, ending).


Debug mode in SCI1 games

SCI1 is a whole different story. The internal debugger has been removed from pretty much every (public) release of the games. You can still use the key combination [SHIFT + SHIFT + MINUS], but it will throw you out of the game, due to the absence of the debugger. That said, internal SCI1 debuggers are not non-existant (really early versions, like the interpreter used with "Jones in the Fast Lane" still have their debugger) and work just like the SCI0 ones.

However, script debuggers have survived in a bunch of games. The way of activating them depends mainly on the version of the SCI interpreter.

SCI1 games (interpreter version < 1.001.000) do not have a standard way of activating the script debugger (atleast, I haven't found one yet).

SCI1.1 games (interpreter versions > 1.001.000) are activated by extracting the debug script from the packed RESOURCE files. Some kind of routine checks if the file is present in the game directory (and not just in the RESOURCE files) and the debug mode gets activated. An empty file won't do the trick, since the external scripts override the ones in the packed resource.


Internal Debugger

Since the SCI1 internal debugger is pretty much the same as the one found in the SCI0 games, refer to chapter 4.1 on its usage. Currently, the following SCI1 games with an internal debugger are known:

  • Jones in the Fast Lane (both CGA/EGA/Tandy and VGA disk releases)
  • Jones in the Fast Lane (CD-ROM version, only the SCIDHV executable)
  • Mixed-Up Mother Goose (1990 CD-ROM version, only the SIERRADZ executable)
  • XMAS Card 1990 (both CGA/EGA/Tandy and VGA releases)

Older SCI1 interpreters (pre-1991) can be swapped with other (newer) ones, which creates the possibility to use the debugger within other games. The best option is to use the XMAS Card 1990 interpreters, since they are freely available, come in both video modes (which has to match the game), include a parser and are the last pre-1991 interpreters made. So all in all it renders them compatible for all early SCI1 games. Often the games get too buggy to play. As of yet, trail-and-error is the key here.


SCI version < 1.001.000 (SCI1)

There's no known standard way of activating the script debugger.


Specific SCI1 Game Debug Modes

Castle of Dr. Brain

The "magic" script was 0. The debug handler is still present in the game files, but needs to be passed keyboard events from 0.scr, which was removed for shipping, along with removal of the debug build of the interpreter. The attached contains the debug handler script. Just extract and drop into the base directory of the game and start the game in DOSBox for full debug options.

Credit for fixing the debug handler script goes to doomlazer[1] of the SCIprogramming community.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast Information about all objects on screen
[ALT + B] Polygon editor Unavailable
[ALT + C] Show control screen
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle internal debugger on room change. Works, but crashes on room change since the interpreter debugger is unavailable
[ALT + F] Show free memory
[ALT + G] Set Global
[ALT + I] Get inventory item Allow selection of inventory item from list
[ALT + P] Show Priority screen
[ALT + R] Show Room info
[ALT + T] Teleport Change room/scene/script
[ALT + W] Write Feature
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point
[ALT + Z] Exit game

Note: Invoking interpreter debugger will crash the game on room change since the interpreter debugger is missing.

King's Quest 5 (Disk version)

This unusual way of activating the debug mode is only found in game versions BELOW 0.000.062. I'm currently aware of the following versions:

  • King's Quest 5 EGA 0.000.055 (interpreter version 1.000.058)
  • King's Quest 5 VGA 0.000.051 (interpreter version 1.000.060)

To activate the debug mode, perform the following steps, while in the game:

  • Click on the question mark (located in the icon bar - help function)
  • Click on "HELP"
  • Click on "EXIT"
Command Action Notes
ALT + C] Clear flag  
[ALT + D] Show free memory Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + S] Set flag  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game instantly  
[ALT + Z] Exit game  

Note that the activation procedure has to be repeated for each time you use an option! To overcome this annoying feat, extract SCRIPT.000 from the RESOURCE files and use the table below to know which byte to change in your version. While you're at it, you can also change a byte to enable the debug mode from start.

  Remove deactivation Enable debug from start
  offset org new offset org new
King's Quest 5 EGA 0.000.055 0xB77 00 01 0x3A6A 00 01
King's Quest 5 VGA 0.000.051 0xB75 00 01 0x3A66 00 01

King's Quest 5 (CD-ROM version)

Unlike the diskette version, the CD-ROM version has a debug mode that cannot be activated in-game. An older 0.SCR in the RESOURCE file reveals that originally the version number was checked in order to activate the debug mode (a routine like used in Police Quest 3, but not functioning in this case). The 0.SCR as used by the game is a newer version, residing outside the RESOURCE file. Enable the debug mode by editing this script and changing the byte at offset 0x877 from "00" to "01".

Command Action Notes
[ALT + C] Clear flag  
[ALT + F] Show free memory  
[ALT + G] Switch items from inventory?  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Playing?  
[ALT + S] Set flag  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game instantly  
[ALT + Y] Play sound  
[ALT + Z] Exit game?  

Leisure Suit Larry 5

This game has several debug features, but I've not been able to get them activated all at once, if it's possible at all. It looks like the debug mode originally was activated by clicking the letter "O" of the "Hollywood" sign outside Larry's workplace, but this does not work (at least not instantly).

A rather crude way of activating the debug mode is extracting 0.SCR from the RESOURCE files and change the byte at offset 0xB76 to "00" (instead of the original "24"). This only works with the VGA version of the game; the activation code is removed in the CGA/EGA/Tandy release.

Command Action
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + C] Show control map
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + F] Feature writer
[ALT + G] Set global variable
[ALT + H] Show global variable
[ALT + I] Get inventory item
[ALT + M] Changes amount of money (dollars / silvers)
[ALT + P] Show priority map
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + X] Exit game
[ALT + Z] Exit game
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego information
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room info / free memory
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position

As mentioned, there are other debug features: While on the plane, a menu is available to select which dream-interlude will play. A way of activating it would be extracting script 320 and changing the byte at offset 0x14 to "1C" (instead of the original "1A"). Apart from that, there also seems to be a way to skip the copy-protection sequence.


Police Quest 3

Rename/remove the file "version" in your PQ3 directory, or set the attribute to "read-only".

This will give you some options at the beginning to configure which flags should be set and where/when you will start the game (most don't work.)


Space Quest 4 (beta)

Somewhere in 1991, the cracking group The Humble Guys released a beta version of Space Quest 4. I suspect it had version number 1.052 (I found some saves of the beta), but the first sales release had that too, so far for that lead.

However, someone named "Beamer" typed up a list back then describing the functions. The debug mode doesn't need activation, offers a room selector at the beginning

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast information (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Works, but crashes on room change since the debugger is unavailable
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show free memory  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + M] Gives 20 buckazoids/money  
[ALT + N] QA logger  
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point  
[ALT + Z] Exit game  


SCI version > 1.001.000 (SCI1.1)

The Sierra Resource Viewer (SV) can be used for SCI games. When dumping the files, it would be advisable to dump, apart from the SCR file, the accompanying HEP and TEX file. Some debug modes will not work properly without them.

Besides giving you the usual debug options, some games will give the "Where to?" dialog. Basically, this is a dialog giving you the opportunity to set various flags/variables at the beginning of the game, so you can for example start halfway in the game or so.

 


Specific SCI1.1 Game Debug Modes

King's Quest 6 CD

The "magic" script for the MPC version is 911, which has been removed from most releases of the game, along with the debug build of the interpreter. The attached contains the debug handler script and other debug files, a debug build of the interpreter with debug help files. Just extract and drop into the base directory of the game and start the game with SCI.EXE in DOSBox for full debug options.

Credit for locating and fixing the debug handler script goes to Omer Mor and doomlazer[3]. Credit for the debug build of the SCI1.1 interpreter goes to "Kawa" of the SCIprogramming community.

Upon launch with these files in the game's base directory you should see a "Where to, STUD?" prompt immediately.

Besides giving you the "Where to, stud?" dialog at the beginning, the following options are available:

[ALT + H] will list the below debug commands available with the script debugger:


Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast Information about all objects on screen
[ALT + B] Polygon editor Edit walking areas
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle Internal debugger on room change
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Set flag / clear  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Help List debug commands
[ALT + I] Get inventory item See here for a list of inventory items
[ALT + E] Dialog editor  
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Log file  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Show cursor coordinates  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Updating cast elements  
[ALT + T] Teleport Change room/scene/script
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn Return user control
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer  
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point  
[ALT + Z] QUICK QUIT  


To invoke the interpreter debugger press the grave accent (`) or [Alt+D] and change screens.


If you ave not started the game with the included debug build of the interpreter (SCI.EXE) the game will crash. Pressing "?" while debug is active will display interpreter debug commends.



EcoQuest 1 CD

The "magic" script is 800, which has been removed from all known versions of the game, along with removal of the debug build of the interpreter. The attached contains the debug handler script and other debug files, a debug build of the interpreter with debug help files. Just extract and drop into the base directory of the game and start the game in DOSBox for full debug options.

Credit for fixing the debug handler script goes to doomlazer[4] of the SCIprogramming community. Credit for the debug build of the SCI1.1 interpreter goes to "Kawa" of the SCIprogramming community.

Upon launch with these files in the game's base directory you should see a "Where to, Adam?" prompt immediately.

Besides giving you the "Where to, Adam?" dialog at the beginning, the following options are available:

'?' will list the below debug commands available with the script debugger:

 

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] show cAst Information about all objects on screen
[ALT + B] show flag value
[ALT + C] show Control screen
[ALT + E] show Ego Show Ego information & free memory
[ALT + F] show Features Displays name of current feature under cursor
[ALT + G] set Global
[ALT + I] get Inventory Item Allow selection of inventory item from list
[ALT + K] set flag
[ALT + L] clear flag
[ALT + M] show Memory
[ALT + O] create Obstacles
[ALT + P] Show Priority screen
[ALT + R] show Room info
[ALT + T] Teleport Change room/scene/script
[ALT + U] HandsOn Return user control (Does not work)
[ALT + V] show Visual screen
[ALT + W] Write Features
[ALT+X] eXit the game
[ALT+Y] Show pallet
[ALT+LeftClick] IMove Adam to mouse X-Y If walking
[CTRL + ALT + LeftClick] Show mouse X-Y
[?] Help List debug commands

To invoke the interpreter debugger press the grave accent '`' or [Shift + Shift + Number pad '-']. Note, if you have not started the game with the included debug build of the interpreter (SCI.EXE) the game will crash. Pressing "?" while debug is active will display interpreter debug commends.



EcoQuest 2

The "magic" script is 98, which has been disabled in the game, along with removal of the debug build of the interpreter. The attached contains the debug handler script and other debug files, a debug build of the interpreter with debug help files. Just extract and drop into the base directory of the game and start the game in DOSBox for full debug options.

Credit for fixing the debug handler script goes to doomlazer[5] of the SCIprogramming community. Credit for the debug build of the SCI1.1 interpreter goes to "Kawa" of the SCIprogramming community.

Upon launch with these files in the game's base directory you should see a "Where to, Mac?" prompt immediately.

Besides giving you the "Where to, Mac?" dialog at the beginning, the following options are available:

'?' will list the below debug commands available with the script debugger:

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast Information about all objects on screen
[ALT + B] Show flag value
[ALT + C] Show control screen
[ALT + E] Show ego information & free memory
[ALT + F] Show Features Displays name of current feature under cursor
[ALT + G] Set Global
[ALT + I] Get inventory item Allow selection of inventory item from list
[ALT + J] Note Logger for QA Does not work
[ALT + K] Set Flag
[ALT + L] Clear Flag
[ALT + M] Show Memory
[ALT + O] Create Obstacles Causes out of heap error
[ALT + U] Return user control Does not work
[ALT + P] Show Priority screen
[ALT + R] Show Room info
[ALT + S] Switch mouse actor ???
[ALT + T] Teleport Change room/scene/script
[ALT + U] HandsOn Return user control
[ALT + V] Show Visual screen
[ALT + W] Write Features
[ALT + X] Exit the game
[ALT + Y] Show pallet
[ALT + Left Mouse Button] Instant movement/placement If walking
[CTRL + ALT + Left Mouse Button] Print mouse X/Y
? Help List debug commands

To invoke the interpreter debugger press the grave accent (`) or [Shift + Shift + Number pad '-']. Note, if you have not started the game with the included debug build of the interpreter (SCI.EXE) the game will crash. Pressing "?" while debug is active will display interpreter debug commends.




Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist

The "magic" script is 10. However, this script cannot be found in the English release of Freddy Pharkas. Extract 10.SCR/10.HEP/10.TEX[6] from the RESOURCE.MSG file (instead of the usual RESOURCE.000) in a NON-ENGLISH(!) release. I've tested this with the German, Spanish and French release. The extracted script will work with every version of the game, also the English one.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)  
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] Dialog editor  
[ALT + E] Every puzzle can be found Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + F] Show feature outlines This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Show global variable  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen  
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Set flag  
[ALT + M] Clear flag  
[ALT + N] Show flag  
[ALT + O] QA logger  
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Set detail to 1 This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + S] Show string or message  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script) This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control) Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer  
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Stuff or unstuff a clue Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + Z] Exit game  
[SHIFT + /] Help  
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position  

Leisure Suit Larry 6

The "magic" script is 911. Extract 911.SCR/911.HEP/911.TEX. Besides giving you a "Where to?" dialog at the beginning.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)  
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Set flag / clear  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Show features  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + L] Logfile  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Show cursor coordinates  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Updating cast elements  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer  
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point  
[ALT + Z] Exit game  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Pepper's Adventures In Time

The "magic" script is 880. Extract 880.SCR/880.HEP/880.TEX.

Besides giving you a "Where to?" dialog, it activates the following options:

Command Action
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)
[ALT + C] Show control map
[ALT + D] Place an actor
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + F] Show feature outlines
[ALT + G] Set global variable
[ALT + H] Show global variable
[ALT + I] Get inventory item
[ALT + J] QA logger (it should "Justify text on screen", but doesn't)
[ALT + K] Show palette
[ALT + L] Set flag
[ALT + M] Clear flag
[ALT + N] Show flag
[ALT + P] Show priority map
[ALT + Q] Set detail to 1
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory
[ALT + S] Show string or message
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)
[ALT + V] Show visual map
[ALT + W] Feature writer
[ALT + Y] Stuff or unstuff a clue (or some sort of "Change ego" function)
[ALT + X] Exit game
[ALT + Z] Exit game
[SHIFT + /] Help

Police Quest (SCI remake)

The "magic" script is 899. Extract 899.SCR/899.HEP/899.TEX. To activate the debug mode in this case, they should be first renamed to 702.SCR/702.HEP/702.TEX.

It activates the following options:

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] Place an actor This option is very buggy
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show feature outlines  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Show global variable  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen  
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Set flag  
[ALT + M] Clear flag  
[ALT + N] QA logger (it should "Show flag", but doesn't)  
[ALT + O] QA logger  
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Set detail to 1 Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory  
[ALT + S] Show string or message  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control) Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Z] Exit game  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Quest for Glory (Hero's Quest)

The "magic" script is 298. However, it's not available anymore in the game's resource files. So to activate the debug mode, debug scripts from another game should be used. You can use the script from either Laura Bow 2 or Police Quest (SCI remake). They should be first renamed to 298.SCR/298.HEP/298.TEX[7].

Now the "Where to?" dialog works, while the remaining functions don't. Perhaps the scripts used are not fully compatible with this game.


Quest for Glory 3

The "magic" script is 18. However, it's not available anymore in the game's resource files. So to activate the debug mode, debug scripts from another game should be used. You can use the script from either The Dagger of Amon Ra or Police Quest (SCI remake). The files should be renamed to 18.SCR/18.HEP/18.TEX[8].

Now the "Where to?" dialog works, while the remaining functions don't. Perhaps the scripts used are not fully compatible with this game.


Slater & Charlie Go Camping

The "magic" script is 880. However, this script is removed from the final release. The debug script used in Freddy Pharkas is its closest relative, so get it and rename it to 880.SCR/880.HEP. You should NOT rename 10.TEX, as it would break the "Show room info / free memory" command. Because of the original debug script being number 10, room 10 in the game becomes unplayable after activation.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] Dialog editor This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + E] Every puzzle can be found Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + F] Show feature outlines This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Show global variable  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Set flag Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + M] Clear flag This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + N] Show flag Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + O] QA logger This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Set detail to 1 Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory  
[ALT + S] Show string or message  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control) This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer  
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Stuff or unstuff a clue Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + Z] Exit game  
[SHIFT + /] Help  
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement This option is removed / incompatible and crashes game
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room  
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position  

Space Quest 5 (beta)

The Space Quest series seem to be the major victim of leaked betas at Sierra. A Space Quest 5 beta version was released by some group, back in 1993. This beta was actually a reviewer's copy, included a script debugger (but no internal debugger) and works just like most of them. This is for version 0.028.

Command Action
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory
[ALT + O] QA logger
[ALT + P] Show priority map
[ALT + H] Show global variable
[ALT + J] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + K] Show palette
[ALT + C] Show control map
[ALT + V] Show visual map
[ALT + N] Show flag

The Dagger of Amon Ra

This probably is the buggiest debug mode, thus not really interesting. The "magic" script (10), can be found in the CD-ROM version's resource files only, but can be applied to both the floppy and CD version. So extract 10.SCR/10.HEP/10.TEX to the game directory.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen) This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control map  
[ALT + D] Place an actor This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + E] Show ego information This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + F] Show feature outlines This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Show global variable  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen Not sure what this does or if it works at all
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Set flag  
[ALT + M] Clear flag  
[ALT + N] Show flag  
[ALT + O] QA logger This removed option crashes game
[ALT + P] Show priority map  
[ALT + Q] Set detail to 1 This removed option crashes game
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + S] Show string or message This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control) This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + V] Show visual map  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Stuff or unstuff a clue This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + Z] Exit game  
[SHIFT + /] Help  
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position  


SCI32

In the beginning, SCI32 games had the same activation procedure as SCI1.1 games. In this FAQ, this will be called the "Traditional" method. However, at a certain point, this procedure got replaced by the "CLASSES" method. Both are explained below.


Internal Debugger

There is currently one SCI32 interpreter known with an internal debugger. It's bundled with a rare Gabriel Knight 2 demo and can be activated by pushing the [`] key, usually above [TAB].

Options:

Command Action
[Q] Quit game
[`] Toggle debug
[SHIFT + `] Check memory
[/] Toggle menu
[B] Set breakpoint - Object, method
[SHIFT + B] Set breakpoint - Object, method (sticky)
[N] Set breakpoint - Script, offset
[SHIFT + N] Set breakpoint - Script, offset (sticky)
[K] Set breakpoint - Kernal call
[SHIFT + K] Set breakpoint - Kernal call (sticky)
[T] Set breakpoint - Changed memory
[SHIFT + R] Break out of current routine
[SHIFT + C] Clear all breakpoints
[F7] Step by source line
[F8] Step across source line
[ENTER] Proceed single step
[TAB] Step across send
[M] Change display mode
[A] Inspect ID in accumulator
[C] Inspect current object
[I] Inspect object or memory
[F] Show largest memory
[S] Show sends
[R] Show resources
[O] Show objects in heap
[SHIFT + O] Show objects with adresses
[P] Show palette
[G] Edit global variable
[L] Edit local variable
[E] Edit memory
[V] Show version information
[SHIFT + /] Help

Note that these are case sensitive, so [CAPS LOCK] should be deactivated.

This particular interpreter also support the following command line parameters:

-c Cursor display for resource loading (e.g. -c958 for cursor 958)
-E Extract resources (in VOLs) to current directory (e.g. -E*.v56)
-i Integrity checking(?) (default is on; use -i0 to turn off)
-k Set kernel calls between integrity checks (default is 50,000)
-m Max. memory to use (examples: -m1M -m1024K -m1048576 -m$fffff)
-p Play digital audio sample (examples: -P100.WAV -PA0010203.045)

So to use this, start the game using a command line, e.g. "SCIW -i0 -m1M".


"Traditional" method

The "Traditional" method is the same method as the SCI1.1 one: It relies on extracting scripts from the RESOURCE or RESMAP file. Again, the Sierra Resource Viewer is the tool to use.


Specific SCI32 Game "Traditional" Debug Modes

Gabriel Knight (CD-ROM version)

The "magic" script is 99. Extract 99.SCR/99.HEP.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + C] Show control map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + F] Set flag / clear  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Help  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + L] Logfile  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + P] Show priority map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + Q] Show cursor coordinates  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Updating cast elements  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show visual map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + W] Feature writer Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point This removed option crashes game
[ALT + Z] Position ego at cursor  

King's Quest 7

The "magic" script is 99. Extract 99.SCR/99.HEP.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)  
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Set flag / clear  
[ALT + G] Set global variable  
[ALT + H] Help  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Load picture  
[ALT + K] Show palette  
[ALT + L] Logfile  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + P] Position ego at cursor  
[ALT + Q] Show cursor coordinates  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Updating cast elements  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show room polygons  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Adjust vanishing point This removed option crashes game
[CTRL + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format)  
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Phantasmagoria

The "magic" scripts are 21 and 24. Extract 21.SCR/21.HEP/21. To get the "Where to?" dialog extract MSG/24.SCR/24.HEP/24.MSG.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + D] Drop inventory item  
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show features  
[ALT + G] Show/set/clear flag  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + L] Load picture Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + O] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This removed option crashes game
[ALT + P] Position editor  
[ALT + Q] Robot compliant form  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Scaler tools  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + W] Feature writer This removed option crashes game
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[CTRL + I] Actor info  
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Police Quest 4 (Disk version)

The "magic" script is 1. Extract 1.SCR/1.HEP.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + D] Dialog editor Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show features Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + K] Show palette Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + O] Create obstacles This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + P] Show priority map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory  
[ALT + S] Switch alter ego This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show visual map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + W] Feature writer Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Toggle CD rooms Confirmed by a message, yet doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + Z] Reverse palette Confirmed by a message, yet doesn't seem to do anything
[CTRL + L] QA logger Doesn't seem to do anything
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Police Quest 4 (CD-ROM version)

This isn't exactly the "traditional" method, but it does involve external scripts. Activate the debug mode by renaming/removing 4.SCR

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + D] Dialog editor Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show features Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + J] Justify text on screen Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + K] Show palette Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + O] Create obstacles Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + P] Show priority map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory  
[ALT + S] Switch alter ego Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show visual map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + W] Feature writer Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[ALT + Y] Toggle CD rooms Confirmed by a message, yet doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + Z] Reverse palette Confirmed by a message, yet doesn't seem to do anything
[CTRL + L] QA logger Doesn't seem to do anything
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement  
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego  
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room  
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position This option is very buggy or will crash game instantly

Quest for Glory 4 (Disk version)

The "magic" script is 18. Extract 18.SCR/18.HEP.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Change amount of money  
[ALT + C] Learn a new spell  
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + E] Show ego information & free memory  
[ALT + F] Show features Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + G] Set flag / clear  
[ALT + H] Set hour of the day  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + K] Set one of the ego's skills  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + O] Create obstacles Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + P] Show priority map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Shift user alterego(?)  
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + V] Show visual map Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + W] Feature writer Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + X] Set all of the ego's skills  
[ALT + Y] Show palette Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + Z] Reverse palette Doesn't seem to do anything
[CTRL + L] QA logger  
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  
[ALT + Left click] Instant movement  
[CTRL + LSHIFT + Left click] Show ego  
[CTRL + RSHIFT + Left click] Show room  
[CTRL + ALT + Left click] Show position  

QfG4 Room, Inventory, Flag, and Stat Numbers


RAMA

The "magic" script is 10. Extract 10.CSC.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format) This option is awfully buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + D] Drop inventory item  
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Show features Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + G] Show/set/clear flag  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + L] Load picture Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + O] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)  
[ALT + P] Position editor This option is awfully buggy or will crash game instantly
[ALT + Q] Robot compliant form  
[ALT + R] Show room info  
[ALT + S] Scaler tools This option will crash game instantly
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + W] Feature writer  
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[CTRL + I] Actor info This option will crash game instantly
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  


"CLASSES" Method

The later SCI32 games (1995-1997) use the "CLASSES" method. They depend on a file in the game directory, called "CLASSES". This can be an empty file. If it exists it looks for certain code in the script, if found, the debug mode will be activated. "AUTOTP" as an empty file will function too sometimes, however its purpose is not fully clear to me.

Note that the CLASSES file should NOT have an extension (like .txt, etc.)


Specific SCI32 Game "CLASSES" Debug Modes

Gabriel Knight 2

Activate the debug mode using the "CLASSES" method. Besides giving you a "Where to?" dialog at the beginning.

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] Reload room  
[ALT + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format) This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + C] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)  
[ALT + E] Show ego information  
[ALT + F] Edit features  
[ALT + G] Show/set/clear flag  
[ALT + I] Get inventory item  
[ALT + P] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory(?)  
[ALT + S] Scaler tools This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)  
[ALT + M] Show free memory  
[ALT + X] Exit game  
[CTRL + S] Sound test  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

 

There are some more debug/tester functions in this game. They can be accessed by teleporting to room 98. This will activate "The Elite Tester V1.0":

Command Action Notes
[ALT + A] AVI player This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + D] DebugOn toggle (internal debugger on room change) Doesn't seem to do anything
[ALT + I] Toggle full screen  
[ALT + O] Polygon editor (edit walking areas) This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + P] Toggle palette This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + S] Scaler tools This option is removed or does not work properly
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)  
[ALT + V] VMD player  
[CTRL + D] Unload current view  
[CTRL + F] Forward (?)  
[CTRL + S] Play sound  
[CTRL + P] Play sound effect  
[CTRL + B] Actor lastCel(?)  
[CTRL + R] Reset room(?)  
[M] Toggle mover(?) Doesn't seem to do anything
[S] Manual toggle scaler(?)  
[P] Picture(?)  
[V] View(?)  
[=] Toggle picture(?)  
[E] EndLoop(?)  
[B] BegLoop(?)  
[L] Loop(?)  
[H] Hide/show actor(?)  
[K] Normalize actor(?)  
[F9] Set Pri(?)  
[I] Current actor information(?)  
[N] nextCel-lastCel(?)  
[ALT + N] Previous cel  
[0]-[9] Actors  
[O] Open robot  
[F] Advance robot frame  
[R] Retreat robot frame  
[DELETE] Delete robot frame This option is removed or does not work properly
[CTRL + C] Tag robot frame for cue  
[ALT + R] Play robot  
[E] Play robot  
[T] Terminate robot  
[CTRL + I] Show robot info  
[D] Display single robot frame  
[,] Scroll large pics left and right  
[CTRL + M] Change scroll step size  
[CTRL + N] Reset plane rectangle (for scrolled pics)  
[SHIFT + /] Help  

Leisure Suit Larry 7

Activate the debug mode using the "CLASSES" method and when in the game, press both SHIFT keys and the PLUS key located at the NUMERIC keypad at the same time. This only seems to work with the DOS version of the game. The key combination is not needed (for both versions) at (for instance) the main menu of the game.

Command Action
[ALT + A] Add view
[ALT + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format)
[ALT + C] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + D] Show current view information
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + F] Edit features
[ALT + G] Show/set/clear flag
[ALT + H] Show features & obstacles
[ALT + I] Get inventory item
[ALT + J] Load picture
[ALT + K] Blink current view(?)
[ALT + M] Dump debug log
[ALT + N] New palette
[ALT + P] Polygon editor (edit walking areas)
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory
[ALT + S] Scaler tools
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)
[ALT + X] Exit game
[ALT + Y] Show polygons
[CTRL + C] Check audio card
[CTRL + G] Give ego necessary items for room
[CTRL + L] Log errors
[CTRL + R] Play a robot
[CTRL + D] Sound test
[SHIFT + /] Help

 

Numeric keypad keys:

Command Action
[DELETE] Delete current object
[8] Rotate current (actor) right
[2] Rotate current (actor) left
[4] Decrease current (prop) cel
[6] Increase current (prop) cel
[1] Decrease current (prop) loop
[3] Increase current (prop) loop

Space Quest 6

Activate the debug mode using the "CLASSES" method. Besides giving you a "Where to?" dialog at the beginning.

Command Action
[ALT + A] Show cast (information about all objects on screen)
[ALT + B] Capture screenshot (in BMP format)
[ALT + E] Show ego information
[ALT + F] Edit features
[ALT + G] Show/set/clear flag
[ALT + I] Get inventory item
[ALT + O] Get inventory item (other half)
[ALT + P] Edit polygons
[ALT + R] Show room info / free memory
[ALT + S] Scaler tools
[ALT + T] Teleport (change room/scene/script)
[ALT + U] Give HandsOn (return user control)
[ALT + X] Exit game
[CTRL + S] Sound test
[SHIFT + /] Help

Note that this debug mode is buggy!


Other method(s)

One game (currently) doesn't have the usual debug mode. Nevertheless, it's not really an "Easter egg" either, so this section was created.

 


Leisure Suit Larry 6 (SVGA CD version)

This game has no real debug mode (anymore), but yet it had some leftovers of one, which were actually worth to mention. Trigger certain actions by clicking 4 times with the "hand icon" on the following list of objects:

FRONT DESK LOBBY::

Command Action
Left chandelier Gives stuff to fix cellulite machine
Right chandelier The maid's cart is now upstairs
Ashtray Gives you ThunderBird's sequence
Counter door Gives you Char's sequence
Counter top Gives current free memory

HALL WITH ELEVATOR:

Command Action
Plant above elevator Shablee has the gown and gives Larry the condom and champagne

LARRY'S ROOM:

Command Action
Overhang above toilet door Gets the plumber to work on sink/toilet
Right-most plant Choice between certain events to execute

LARRY'S TOILET:

Command Action
Towel rack Gives the towel, toilet cover, toilet paper, hand creme, brochure and the wash cloth.

STAIRS LEADING TO BEACH:

Command Action
Big tree Gives you Shablee's sequence

PART OF THE LOBBY WITH SWIMMING POOL ENTRANCE TO THE NORTH:

Command Action
Right sculpture Gives the swim suit, your room key and the inflatable beaver

END OF THE LOBBY (TO THE EAST):

Command Action
Right sculpture Gives matches for Art

ROSE'S ROOM (OR WHEN LOOKING AT HER):

Command Action
Bottle of grease Gives flowers for Rose


Interesting fact: When clicking 4 times on the big tree, to activate the "Shablee sequence", somehow the debug mode gets activated (sort of), because the game will react to key combinations used in debug. However, being removed, it will terminate the game directly with the error "cannot find 911.hep". Also, clicking 4 times will be reduced to 2 times.


Suspected of having a debug mode

The following games have some references to debug options, yet no way found to activate them, if they can be activated at all:

Games that contain debug scripts, but do not have a (regular) activation routine in script 0:


References

  1. ↑ https://sciprogramming.com/community/index.php?topic=9150.0
  2. ↑ See included README.txt for a list of files and all commands.
  3. ↑ https://sciprogramming.com/community/index.php?topic=1594.0
  4. ↑ https://sciprogramming.com/community/index.php?topic=9154.msg74594
  5. ↑ https://sciprogramming.com/community/index.php?topic=9150.0
  6. ↑ Download from the German v1.000, interpreter 1.cfs.081
  7. ↑ Download from Laura Bow 2
  8. ↑ From The Dagger of Amon Ra


Related Links

 

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