Just prior to the July 1997 launch of EA’s classic labyrinth-building simulation Dungeon Keeper, a designer slipped a secret message into the game’s executable code. That message remained secret until now.
“I am writing this at 4AM on Keeper’s last day,” reads the all-caps text. “I look around the office and all I see are the tired, pale faces of the Keeper team. This project has destroyed the health and social lives of each member, so I hope you like the game. Amazingly, after sixteen hours a day, 7 days a week, for nearly 5 months, we still do. This game has been written with a passion I am proud to be part of … I do not just hope you like it, I also hope you are aware of the huge amount of work we have all done.” The hidden text then goes on to offer greetings to numerous people before the author grows too sleepy to continue.
This discovery is especially timely, as the author of that text is none other than Jonty Barnes, current director of production at Bungie and one of the driving forces behind Destiny. “It’s funny, I’m feeling similar with Destiny,” Barnes told Polygon following the discovery. “Both games have taken absolutely everything I have to give. Both I’m very proud to be part of. Both have changed my life.”
