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Difference between revisions of "Marathon"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (updated template usage)
 
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|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bungie Software}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bungie Software}}
|publishers   =  
+
|publishers   =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Bungie Software|Mac OS}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Marathon Engine|name=Marathon Engine 1.0}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Marathon Engine|name=Marathon Engine 1.0}}
Line 11: Line 12:
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 2, 2011|ref=<ref name="release date">{{Refurl|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-02-remastered-marathon-games-released-free-on-pc-mac-linux|title=Remastered Marathon Games Released for Free on PC, Mac, Linux - Eurogamer|date=2019-10-25}}</ref>}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|December 2, 2011|ref=<ref name="release date">{{Refurl|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-02-remastered-marathon-games-released-free-on-pc-mac-linux|title=Remastered Marathon Games Released for Free on PC, Mac, Linux - Eurogamer|date=2019-10-25}}</ref>}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|December 2, 2011|ref=<ref name="release date" />}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|December 2, 2011|ref=<ref name="release date" />}}
|steam appid  =  
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|Unknown}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Freeware }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | FPS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Marathon }}
 +
|steam appid  = 2398450
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|strategywiki = Marathon
 
|strategywiki = Marathon
|mobygames    = marathon
+
|mobygames    = 22079
 
|wikipedia    = Marathon (video game)
 
|wikipedia    = Marathon (video game)
 
|winehq      =  
 
|winehq      =  
 
|license      = former commercial
 
|license      = former commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Marathon}}
 
  
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
{{++}} The game was made free to download in 2005. Note that it is NOT open source.
+
|introduction      =
{{++}} [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] supports modern systems and allows modding
+
 
{{++}} Small but dedicated community
+
|release history  = The game was made free to download (but not open-source) in 2005.  
{{ii}} Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS (Fixed in April 8, 2021 update for [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]]).
+
 
{{--}} Cannot change settings while in a game.
+
|current state    = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] is an open-source reimplementation of the game which supports modern systems.
{{--}} Cannot manually reload weapons. Also cannot switch directly to a weapon (keys {{key|1}}-{{key|9}} serve no purpose by default) or rebind zoom key ({{key|F7}}). (Also fixed in the April 8th 2021 update for Aleph One)
+
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
{{mm}} [http://www.bungie.net/ Bungie.net] - The developer's site
+
{{mm}} [https://marathongame.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page Pfhorpedia] - A wiki for everything Marathon related
{{mm}} [http://marathongame.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Pfhorpedia] - A wiki for everything Marathon related
 
 
{{mm}} [http://traxus.bungie.org/index.php/Main_Page Traxus Project] - Another Marathon wiki
 
{{mm}} [http://traxus.bungie.org/index.php/Main_Page Traxus Project] - Another Marathon wiki
 
{{mm}} [http://marathon.bungie.org/ Marathon.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Marathon fan sites around
 
{{mm}} [http://marathon.bungie.org/ Marathon.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Marathon fan sites around
 
{{mm}} [http://simplici7y.com/ Simplici7y] - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for the Marathon Trilogy
 
{{mm}} [http://simplici7y.com/ Simplici7y] - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for the Marathon Trilogy
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/2398450/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| Retail | | unknown | |  | Mac OS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | key | See [http://marathon.bungie.org/maraserialgen/ the official Bungie website]. |  | Mac OS }}
{{Availability/row| Official | http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org | DRM-free | See [[#Marathon (Original)|Marathon (Original)]] for details. |  | Mac OS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Official | https://trilogyrelease.bungie.org | DRM-free | See [[#Marathon (Original)|Marathon (Original)]] for details. |  | Mac OS }}
{{Availability/row| Official | https://alephone.lhowon.org/ | DRM-free | [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] version. | | Windows, Mac OS, Linux }}
+
{{Availability/row| Official | https://alephone.lhowon.org/ | DRM-free | [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] version. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 2398450 | Steam | [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] version. Coming soon. | | Windows | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Version differences===
 
===Version differences===
 
====Marathon (Original)====
 
====Marathon (Original)====
The original Mac only version of the game and its manual are available to download for free at http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/. Individual files can also be downloaded as opposed to the full game. The game has also been modified to no longer require serial keys to install.
+
{{mm}} The original Mac only version of the game and its manual are available to download for free at [https://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/ here]. Individual files can also be downloaded as opposed to the full game. The game has also been modified to no longer require serial keys to install.
 
+
{{ii}} Note that it is provided as-is and will only run on a classic Macintosh. The game is also using an older version of the Marathon engine, so features provided in the sequels such as mod support are unavailable.
Note that they are provided as is and will only run on a classic Macintosh. The game is also using an older version of the Marathon engine, so features provided in the sequels such as mod support are unavailable.
 
 
 
It is recommended to use the Aleph One version as it adds modern PC support and a port to the newer engine.
 
  
 
====Aleph One====
 
====Aleph One====
Aleph One is an open source continuation of the Marathon 2 engine. Along with bringing all the benefits of the newer engine to the original Marathon, it makes the game more modern and accessible with many different improvements such as cross-platform support, widescreen resolutions, and improved multiplayer networking.
+
{{mm}} [https://alephone.lhowon.org/ Official website]
 
+
{{ii}} An open-source continuation of the Marathon 2 engine.  
For Windows and OS X, everything is provided as a single app/folder. For Linux, the engine need to be downloaded separately from the game files, compiled, and merged in.
+
{{++}} Includes cross-platform support, widescreen resolutions, and improved multiplayer networking.
 
+
{{ii}} Includes a revamped HUD and a new UI.
Both the engine and the game files can be downloaded at https://alephone.lhowon.org/.
 
 
 
As a bonus, the game files provided by Aleph One include HD textures, a revamped HUD, and a new UI.
 
 
 
 
{{ii}} Aleph One 1.1 and later can run Marathon 1; prior to this there was a fan made remake of Marathon 1 for Aleph One called ''M1A1''. Despite using the original Marathon 1 assets, M1A1 has a different resource structure so mods created for it are '''not''' compatible with the official Marathon 1. M1A1 was officially deemed obsolete after support for the official Marathon 1 data files were added to Aleph One.
 
{{ii}} Aleph One 1.1 and later can run Marathon 1; prior to this there was a fan made remake of Marathon 1 for Aleph One called ''M1A1''. Despite using the original Marathon 1 assets, M1A1 has a different resource structure so mods created for it are '''not''' compatible with the official Marathon 1. M1A1 was officially deemed obsolete after support for the official Marathon 1 data files were added to Aleph One.
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Marathon Serial Key Generator===
 
A legal serial key generator for the retail versions of all Marathon games. Refresh the page to get a new batch of keys. Marathon keys are stated with "M1" before the codes.
 
 
It can be found at http://marathon.bungie.org/maraserialgen/.
 
 
===Aleph One Mods===
 
{{ii}} Some of the featured mods are included with Aleph One.
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/tacticus-m1-weapons-redux-2 M1 Weapons Redux] - HD replacements for weapons, projectiles and most items.
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/xbr-monsters-for-m1 xBR Monsters for M1] - HD upscaled (not remastered or redrawn) monsters and their corpses.
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-music-remasterd Marathon Music Remastered] - Marathon's MID! music resampled on modern synthesizers. Also check out [http://www.themarathonmusic.com/downloads.html TheMarathonMusic.com]; if the tracks are renamed correctly, they can also be used in Aleph One.
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/ttep-updated-plugin-m1-1024x1024 TTEP @ 1024x1024] - the Total Texture Enhancement Package is already included in the Aleph One download of the game, however this version is at 1024x1024 resolution vs the included version's 512x512. Recommend using with the [https://github.com/Aleph-One-Marathon/data-marathon/tree/master/Plugins/Updated%20Starscape Updated Starscape] or [http://simplici7y.com/items/m1a1-starscape-dds StarScape DDS]: unzip the starscape.zip then make 3 copies of the starscape.dds, rename each "04.dds", "24.dds", and "21.dds" then replace image "04.dds" inside folder 02. Replace image "24.dds" inside folder 17. And finally replace image "21.dds" inside folder 18.
 
====Other====
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/3d-scenery-for-m1 3D scenery for M1] - Replaces the 2D scenery sprites with 3D objects. Note that some players do not like 3D objects in Marathon due to it's 2.5D nature however there aren't any HD scenery packs yet, unfortunately.
 
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-over-tau-ceti-e-i-landscape-texture Marathon over Tau Ceti E-I Landscape] - Gives more realistic landscape however has bugs on some systems. Quallity can generally be reduced in settings if it causes lag, however a smaller version is available [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-over-tau-ceti-e-i-landscape-texture-2048 here].
 
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\Aleph One\Marathon Preferences}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\Aleph One\Marathon Preferences}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
 
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
Line 88: Line 80:
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|userprofile}}\Aleph One\Quick Saves|{{p|userprofile}}\Aleph One\Recordings|{{p|userprofile}}\Aleph One\Saved Games}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|userprofile}}\Documents\Aleph One\Quick Saves|{{p|userprofile}}\Documents\Aleph One\Recordings|{{p|userprofile}}\Documents\Aleph One\Saved Games}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Linux|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Linux|}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                = unknown
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = unknown
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Video==
 
==Video==
{{Image|MarathonA1 Video.png|In-game general video settings.}}
+
{{Image|Marathon graphics menu.png|In-game general video settings.}}
 
{{Video
 
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/marathon/en
 
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/marathon/en
Line 102: Line 111:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
|widescreen resolution notes= Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] and set [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].
+
|widescreen resolution notes= Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 110: Line 119:
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|fov                        = hackable
 
|fov                        = hackable
|fov notes                  = See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].
+
|fov notes                  = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] allows windows to be larger than 640x480.
 
|windowed notes            = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] allows windows to be larger than 640x480.
Line 119: Line 128:
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync notes                = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|vsync notes                = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
Line 131: Line 143:
 
}}
 
}}
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:MarathonA1 OpenGL General.png|In-game general OpenGL settings.
+
File:Marathon opengl.png|In-game advanced OpenGL settings.
File:MarathonA1 OpenGL Advanced.png|In-game advanced OpenGL settings.
+
File:Marathon software.png|In-game advanced software renderer settings.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
 
As of Aleph One 1.3, FOV must now be adjusted by editing the .mml file in the Plugin folder of whatever HUD you are using.
 
 
For example: open <code>Marathon\Plugins\Enhanced HUD\FOV.mml</code> and change the value to your desired FOV.
 
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==
{{Image|MarathonA1 General Controls.png|In-game general control settings.}}
+
{{Image|Marathon controls general.png|In-game general control settings.}}
 
{{Input
 
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
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|acceleration option      = hackable
 
|acceleration option      = hackable
 
|acceleration option notes = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|acceleration option notes = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = hackable
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
+
|mouse sensitivity notes  = Use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
 
|mouse menu notes          =  
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|touchscreen              = unknown
 
|touchscreen              = unknown
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
|controller support        = true
+
|controller support        = hackable
 
|controller support notes  = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] adds modern controller support.
 
|controller support notes  = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] adds modern controller support.
 
|full controller          = false
 
|full controller          = false
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|controller remap          = true
 
|controller remap          = true
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
+
|controller sensitivity    = true
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis  = false
 
|invert controller y-axis  = false
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
|xinput controllers        = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = hackable
|xinput controllers notes  =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] has Xbox controller support.
|xbox prompts              = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = false
 
|xbox prompts notes        =  
 
|xbox prompts notes        =  
 
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 
|impulse triggers          = unknown
Line 201: Line 208:
 
}}
 
}}
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:MarathonA1 Remapping.png|In-game key map settings.
+
File:Marathon controls movement.png|In-game movement key map settings.
File:MarathonA1 Mouse.png|In-game mouse settings.
+
File:Marathon controls actions.png|In-game actions key map settings.
File:MarathonA1 Joystick.png|In-game joystick settings.
+
File:Marathon controls hotkeys.png|In-game hotkeys key map settings.
 +
File:Marathon controls interface.png|In-game interface key map settings.
 +
File:Marathon controls other.png|In-game other key map settings.
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Marathon controls mouse.png|In-game mouse settings.
 +
File:Marathon controls controller.png|In-game joystick settings.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 220: Line 233:
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 293: Line 308:
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = hackable
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = hackable
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = hackable
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      = For 64-bit use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|windows exe notes      = For 64-bit use [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]].
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
+
|macos intel 64-bit app = hackable
|macos app notes        =  
+
|macos arm app          = hackable
 +
|macos app notes        = [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] only.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/Aleph-One-Marathon/alephone/releases/tag/release-20220115|title=Aleph One 1.5|date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
 
|linux powerpc app      = unknown
 
|linux powerpc app      = unknown
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
+
|linux 64-bit executable= hackable
|linux executable notes =  
+
|linux arm app          = hackable
 +
|linux 68k app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes = The last known update to ARM redistributions of [[#Aleph One|Aleph One]] were in 2019.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://pkgs.org/search/?q=alephone|title=Search Results for alephone|date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = unknown
 +
|mac os 68k app        = true
 +
|mac os executable notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 321: Line 343:
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Aleph One Mods===
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/tacticus-m1-weapons-redux-2 M1 Weapons Redux] - HD replacements for weapons, projectiles and most items.
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/xbr-monsters-for-m1 xBR Monsters for M1] - HD upscaled (not remastered or redrawn) monsters and their corpses.
 +
* [https://lochnits.com/marathon/upscales/ Marathon upscales] - HD upscaled (not remastered or redrawn) monsters, scenery, textures and wepons. The four packages can be installed individually.
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-music-remasterd Marathon Music Remastered] - Marathon's MID! music resampled on modern synthesizers. Also check out [http://www.themarathonmusic.com/downloads.html TheMarathonMusic.com]; if the tracks are renamed correctly, they can also be used in Aleph One.
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/ttep-updated-plugin-m1-1024x1024 TTEP @ 1024x1024] - Total Texture Enhancement Package. HD textures that stay true to the original. Recommend using with the [https://github.com/Aleph-One-Marathon/data-marathon/releases/download/plugin-removal/Updated.Starscape.zip Updated Starscape] or [http://simplici7y.com/items/m1a1-starscape-dds StarScape DDS].
 +
{{ii}} StarScape DDS requieres manual modification in order to work with Aleph One.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Install StarScape DDS|fix=
 +
# Unzip `starscape.zip`.
 +
# Make 3 copies of <code>starscape.dds</code>, renaming each <code>04.dds</code>, <code>24.dds</code>, and <code>21.dds</code>.
 +
# Unzip <code>TTEP_v7_1024x1024.zip</code> and browse to <code>Collections</code>
 +
# Open the TTEP folder and replace image <code>04.dds</code> inside folder <code>02</code>; image <code>24.dds</code> inside folder <code>17</code>, and finally, image <code>21.dds</code> inside folder <code>18</code>.
 +
}}
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/3d-scenery-for-m1 3D scenery for M1] - Replaces the 2D scenery sprites with 3D objects. Note that some players do not like 3D objects in Marathon due to it's 2.5D nature.
 +
* [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-over-tau-ceti-e-i-landscape-texture Marathon over Tau Ceti E-I Landscape] - Gives more realistic landscape however has bugs on some systems. Quallity can generally be reduced in settings if it causes lag, however a smaller version is available [http://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-over-tau-ceti-e-i-landscape-texture-2048 here].
 +
* [https://simplici7y.com/items/marathon-1-remastered-sounds-2 Marathon 1 Remastered Sounds] - Replaces game sounds with enhanced, higher quality versions.
  
 
===Classic HUD Plugins ([[#Aleph One|Aleph One]])===
 
===Classic HUD Plugins ([[#Aleph One|Aleph One]])===
Line 337: Line 376:
 
|minGPU  = 256 colour capable
 
|minGPU  = 256 colour capable
  
|recOS    = 7 or higher
+
|recOS    = 7
 
|recRAM  = 6 MB
 
|recRAM  = 6 MB
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 19:43, 16 March 2024

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Marathon
Marathon cover
Developers
Bungie Software
Publishers
Mac OS Bungie Software
Engines
Marathon Engine 1.0
Release dates
Mac OS (Classic) December 21, 1994
Windows December 2, 2011[1]
Linux December 2, 2011[1]
macOS (OS X) Unknown
Taxonomy
Monetization Freeware
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres FPS
Themes Sci-fi
Series Marathon
Marathon guide on StrategyWiki
Marathon on MobyGames
Marathon on Wikipedia
Marathon
Marathon 1994
Marathon 2: Durandal 1995
Marathon Infinity 1996

Marathon is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person FPS game in the Marathon series.

The game was made free to download (but not open-source) in 2005.

Aleph One is an open-source reimplementation of the game which supports modern systems.

General information

Pfhorpedia - A wiki for everything Marathon related
Traxus Project - Another Marathon wiki
Marathon.Bungie.org - One of the biggest Marathon fan sites around
Simplici7y - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for the Marathon Trilogy
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
CD key
See the official Bungie website.
Mac OS
Official website
DRM-free
See Marathon (Original) for details.
Mac OS
Official website
DRM-free
Aleph One version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Aleph One version. Coming soon.
Windows

Version differences

Marathon (Original)

The original Mac only version of the game and its manual are available to download for free at here. Individual files can also be downloaded as opposed to the full game. The game has also been modified to no longer require serial keys to install.
Note that it is provided as-is and will only run on a classic Macintosh. The game is also using an older version of the Marathon engine, so features provided in the sequels such as mod support are unavailable.

Aleph One

Official website
An open-source continuation of the Marathon 2 engine.
Includes cross-platform support, widescreen resolutions, and improved multiplayer networking.
Includes a revamped HUD and a new UI.
Aleph One 1.1 and later can run Marathon 1; prior to this there was a fan made remake of Marathon 1 for Aleph One called M1A1. Despite using the original Marathon 1 assets, M1A1 has a different resource structure so mods created for it are not compatible with the official Marathon 1. M1A1 was officially deemed obsolete after support for the official Marathon 1 data files were added to Aleph One.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Aleph One\Marathon Preferences
Mac OS (Classic)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2398450/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Aleph One\Quick Saves
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Aleph One\Recordings
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Aleph One\Saved Games
Mac OS (Classic)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2398450/pfx/[Note 1]


Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game general video settings.
In-game general video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Use Aleph One.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Use Aleph One.
Windowed
Aleph One allows windows to be larger than 640x480.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Run Aleph One in Windowed mode set to your display's native resolution. The game is displayed in smaller window for menus, however, during gameplay the screen will render at your chosen resolution.[2]
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Use Aleph One.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Use Aleph One.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Use Aleph One.
60 FPS
Use Aleph One.
120+ FPS
Use Aleph One.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Input

In-game general control settings.
In-game general control settings.

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Network

System 7 or higher is required for network play.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8
Online play
8

Connection types

Ports

No port information; you can edit this page to add it.
This game supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
OpenGL 2.0, 1.0 Use Aleph One. OpenGL "Classic" is 1.0, "Shader" is 2.0
Software renderer
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bitARM Notes
Windows
For 64-bit use Aleph One.
macOS (OS X)
Aleph One only.[3]
Linux
The last known update to ARM redistributions of Aleph One were in 2019.[4]
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio ALSA, Speex Aleph One only.
Interface FreeType Aleph One only.

Aleph One Mods

StarScape DDS requieres manual modification in order to work with Aleph One.
Install StarScape DDS
  1. Unzip `starscape.zip`.
  2. Make 3 copies of starscape.dds, renaming each 04.dds, 24.dds, and 21.dds.
  3. Unzip TTEP_v7_1024x1024.zip and browse to Collections
  4. Open the TTEP folder and replace image 04.dds inside folder 02; image 24.dds inside folder 17, and finally, image 21.dds inside folder 18.
  • 3D scenery for M1 - Replaces the 2D scenery sprites with 3D objects. Note that some players do not like 3D objects in Marathon due to it's 2.5D nature.
  • Marathon over Tau Ceti E-I Landscape - Gives more realistic landscape however has bugs on some systems. Quallity can generally be reduced in settings if it causes lag, however a smaller version is available here.
  • Marathon 1 Remastered Sounds - Replaces game sounds with enhanced, higher quality versions.

Classic HUD Plugins (Aleph One)

Aleph One plugins that change the in-game HUD to match the original release. There are two variants available:

System requirements

Mac OS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 6.0.5
Processor (CPU) Motorola 68020 or better processor
System memory (RAM) 3 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 150 MB
Video card (GPU) 256 colour capable


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Remastered Marathon Games Released for Free on PC, Mac, Linux - Eurogamer - last accessed on 2019-10-25
  2. Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2020-09-03
    Tested on Aleph One v1.3 (2020-08-03, Windows 64-bit version)
  3. Aleph One 1.5 - last accessed on 25 April 2022
  4. Search Results for alephone - last accessed on 25 April 2022