Editing Marathon Trilogy (section)

==Development==
===Initial releases===
The original ''[[Marathon (video game)|Marathon]]'' was released for the [[Macintosh]] in 1994 and introduced many concepts now common in video games, such as reloading weapons, dual-wielded weapons, networked voice chat, visible held weapons in multiplayer, and a sophisticated plot in an action game via text messages peppered throughout its levels. ''Marathon'' was one of the first games to include [[Free look|mouselook]], using the computer mouse to angle the player's view up and down as well as left and right, which would become the standard in FPS games.<ref name="wired 2020"/> This was in addition to 90° "glance left/right" controls, part of a canceled [[virtual reality]] feature.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://marathon.bungie.org/story/blastfromthepast.html#31 | title=Marathon Blasts from the Past - The CyberMaxx VR Headset.}}</ref> Each game offers players a series of single-player levels and various multiplayer maps. The geometry of the games' levels – walls, doors, and platforms – are 3D but with the restriction that they can only use completely horizontal or vertical surfaces. This was a shortcut later known informally as "2.5D" and was used for performance reasons in an era before hardware-accelerated 3D graphics. Notably for the time, the ''Marathon'' engine's use of [[portal-based rendering]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://doomwiki.org/wiki/Portal | title=Portal - The Doom Wiki at DoomWiki.org| date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> rather than [[Binary space partitioning|BSP]]-based rendering allowed for room-over-room architecture, with the unusual side effect of allowing spaces which would overlap in real life; this arrangement was referred to as "5D space" by the developers. As was common for games of that era, 2D [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] are used to portray enemies and NPCs in the level as well as weapons and objects such as ammunition pickups.

The sequel, ''[[Marathon 2: Durandal]]'', was released in 1995 and expanded the engine's capabilities and the fictional universe. Notable new features in the engine included liquids in which the player could swim, ambient sounds, and scripted teleportation of NPCs and items. Compared with its predecessor, ''Marathon 2'' was perceived as a brighter and more energetic game. It introduced several new types of competitive [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] modes beyond [[Deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]], such as [[King of the Hill (game)|King of the Hill]], as well as [[Cooperative video game|co-op]] play of the main campaign.

In 1996, ''Marathon 2'' was ported to [[Windows 95]]. Also, both ''Marathon'' and ''Marathon 2'' were ported to the [[Apple Pippin]] console as a single game with the title of ''Super Marathon''.<ref>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/_images/superm_front.jpg Scan] of the front of Super Marathon's box</ref><ref>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/_images/superm_back.jpg Scan] of the back of Super Marathon's box</ref>

The final game in the trilogy, ''[[Marathon Infinity]]'', was developed by [[Double Aught]] rather than Bungie. It was released in 1996 for the Macintosh only, running on a slightly modified ''Marathon 2'' engine which added support for branching campaigns and fully separate physics models in each level. ''Infinity'' additionally came with "Forge" and "Anvil", polished versions of the internal developer tools used by Bungie and Double Aught to create the series' levels and physics, and to import the game's sounds and graphics. These tools provided some additional features, most notably real-time 3D map preview, over the unofficial [[video game modding|modding]] tools that had been made by the player community. Since ''Marathon 2'' and ''Infinity'' had a settings screen allowing a user-friendly selection of mods (in the form of alternate maps, sprites, sounds, and physics models), this greatly spurred the creation of new fan-made content.

Within the next few years, ''Marathon 2''{{'}}s engine was officially licensed by other developers to create the games ''[[ZPC]]'', ''[[Prime Target]]'' and ''[[Damage Incorporated]]''. All but ''Prime Target'' received a Windows release.

Bungie produced a two-disc compilation of the series called the Marathon Trilogy Box Set in 1997. The first CD-ROM contained all three ''Marathon'' games as well as ''[[Pathways into Darkness]]'', an earlier Bungie game. This disc also contains manuals for all three games, [[QuickTime]] 2.5, and other things necessary to run the game. There are beta versions of ''Marathon'' on this disc as well. The second CD-ROM contains thousands of pieces of user-created content, including maps, total conversions, shape and sound files, cheats, mapmaking tools, physics files, and other applications. The boxed set was also notable for removing [[copy protection]] from the games and including a license allowing them to be installed on as many computers at a site as desired.

===Modern developments===
Before its acquisition by [[Microsoft]] in 2000, Bungie released the source code to the ''Marathon 2'' engine under [[GNU General Public License#Version 2|GNU GPL-2.0-or-later]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mactech.com/2000/01/18/marathon-2-source-code-released/|title=Marathon 2 Source Code Released|date=2000-01-18|website=MacTech|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref> Based on this release, the fan-led Marathon Open Source project began, resulting in the release of an engine called Aleph One built upon the ''Marathon 2'' code.<ref name="alephone">{{cite web | url=https://alephone.lhowon.org/ | title=Aleph One - Marathon Open Source | website=Lhowon.org | access-date=June 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-marathon-effort-aleph-one|title=A Marathon Effort: Aleph One|first=Jim|last=Rossignol|date=2011-12-01|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/remastered-marathon-games-released-free-on-pc-mac-linux|title=Remastered Marathon games released free on PC, Mac, Linux|first=Robert|last=Purchese|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=2011-12-02|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-12-01-marathon-trilogy-now-free-through-open-source-project.html|website=[[Engadget]]|title=Marathon trilogy now free through open-source project|first=Griffin|last=McElroy|date=2011-12-01|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cheatcc.com/articles/how-about-an-open-source-marathon/|title=How About An Open Source Marathon?|date=2011-12-02|access-date=2024-07-03|website=CheatCC|first=Shelby|last=Reiches}}</ref> Since then, the fan developers have made many improvements such as [[OpenGL]] rendering, high-resolution graphics, frame rate interpolation (to raise the games beyond their original 30 [[wikt:fps|fps]]), programmable shaders, fully-3D entities, [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]] scripting, various internal changes allowing for more advanced [[Video game modding|mods]], and Internet-capable multiplayer (whereas the original games had only LAN capability) with the use of a matchmaking server to organize games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Bungie-s-Marathon-lives-on-as-Aleph-One-1-0-released-1388916.html|website=The H Online|title=Bungie's Marathon lives on as Aleph One 1.0 released|date=2011-12-02|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linuxlinks.com/marathonalephone/|title= Marathon: Aleph One – continuation of Bungie's Marathon 2 game engine|date=2023-11-14|first=Steve|last=Emms|website=LinuxLinks|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref> Aleph One has also been ported to a variety of platforms including Windows and Linux, bringing the ''Marathon'' works far beyond their Macintosh roots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-01-31-before-halo-we-had-marathon-play-bungies-three-mac-classics.html|title=Before Halo we had Marathon -- play Bungie's three Mac classics free|first=John-Michael|last=Bond|date=2014-01-31|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[Engadget]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/12/aleph-one-marathon-trilogy-3-awesome.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205225938/http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/12/aleph-one-marathon-trilogy-3-awesome.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 5, 2011|title=Aleph One Marathon Trilogy: 3 Awesome Free FPS Games for Linux|date=2011-12-01|website=Ubuntu Vibes|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref>

In 2005, Bungie authorized the release of the ''Marathon Trilogy'' to be freely distributed,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/ | title=The Trilogy Release | website=Bungie.org | access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/apparently-youve-been-able-to-download-bungies-first-3-fpses-for-free-for-the-past-17-years/|title=Apparently, you've been able to download Bungie's first 3 sci-fi FPSes for free for the past 17 years|first=Ted|last=Litchfield|date=2022-12-05|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/05/as-a-heads-up-you-can-grab-the-marathon-trilogy-online-now-for-free|title=As A Heads-Up, You Can Grab The Marathon Trilogy Online Now For Free|first=Jack|last=Yarwood|date=2023-05-25|website=[[Time Extension]]|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref> which combined with Aleph One now allows the entire trilogy to be played for free on any of Aleph One's supported platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lowendmac.com/2016/marathon-trilogy-aleph-one-available-free/|title=Marathon Trilogy: Aleph One Is Available for Free|first=Simon|last=Royal|date=2016-06-18|website=Low End Mac|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2011/12/02/aleph_one_release_revives_revamps_bungies_marathon/|title=Greatest ever first-person shooter* brought back to life|first=Tony|last=Smith|date=2011-12-02|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[The Register]]}}</ref>

In 2007, ''Marathon 2'' was re-released in an updated form as ''Marathon: Durandal'' for the [[Xbox 360]]'s [[Xbox Live Arcade]]. It features achievements and online multiplayer through [[Xbox network|Xbox Live]], a frame rate doubled from the original 30 fps to 60 fps, HD widescreen rendering using a new [[HUD (video gaming)|HUD]] that occupies less of the screen, plus optional high-resolution sprites and textures.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/m/marathondurandalxboxlivearcade/ | title=Marathon: Durandal – Game Detail Page | access-date=2007-07-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713224149/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/m/marathondurandalxboxlivearcade/ | archive-date=July 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/postmortem-freeverse-s-marathon-2-durandal|title=Postmortem: Freeverse's Marathon 2: Durandal|first=Mark|last=Levin|date=2007-11-20|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]}}</ref>

In July 2011, with permission from Bungie, Daniel Blezek released a version of the original ''Marathon'' (and later released the second and third games) for Apple's [[iPhone]] and [[iPad]] for free (with in-app purchases), running on an [[iOS]] port of the Aleph One engine.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=burnbright | website=Bungie.net | title=Burn Bright. Burn Blue. | access-date=June 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626012108/http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=burnbright | archive-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/02/05/aleph-one-the-marathon-trilogy-is-headed-for-the-ipad/|title='Aleph One' – The 'Marathon' Trilogy Is Headed for the iPad|date=2011-02-05|access-date=2024-07-03|first=Blake|last=Patterson|website=Touch Arcade}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/213215/marathon_for_ipad.html|title=Mac classic Marathon returns to the iPad|first=Jeff|last=Porten|date=2011-07-07|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[Macworld]]}}</ref> At the same time, Bungie open-sourced ''Marathon Infinity'' under [[GNU General Public License#Version 3|GNU GPL-3.0-or-later]], leaving the original ''Marathon'' as the only title which has not been open-sourced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Bungie-open-sources-the-complete-Marathon-Mac-FPS-franchise-1268777.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629105941/http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Bungie-open-sources-the-complete-Marathon-Mac-FPS-franchise-1268777.html|title=Bungie open sources the complete Marathon Mac FPS franchise|website=The H Open|archive-date=2011-06-29|date=2011-06-27}}</ref> The iPad build was further updated in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/04/08/marathon-ios-trilogy-updated/|title=Bungie's Classic 'Marathon' Trilogy Updated for Modern iOS Devices|first=Jared|last=Nelson|date=2019-04-08|website=Touch Arcade}}</ref> A community made conversion of ''[[Pathways Into Darkness]]'' to Aleph One has also been produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indieretronews.com/2019/02/aleph-one-pathways-into-darkness-full.html|title= Aleph One: Pathways Into Darkness - A full port of the 1993 mac game to the Aleph One engine|website=Indie Retro News|date=2019-02-22|access-date=2024-07-01}}</ref>

With Bungie's blessing, the team developing the Aleph One engine released the open-sourced ''Marathon'' trilogy on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] for free from May to August 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Bungie's Marathon trilogy is coming to Steam, and the first game is free now |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bungies-marathon-trilogy-is-coming-to-steam-and-the-first-game-is-free-now/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=August 22, 2024 |title=Classic Marathon Infinity arrives on Steam, completing Bungie's sci-fi trilogy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/classic-marathon-infinity-arrives-on-steam-completing-bungies-original-sci-fi-trilogy |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/24153828/bungie-marathon-classic-trilogy-games-steam-free|title=Bungie’s classic Marathon games are coming to Steam for free|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|date=2024-05-10|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/bungies-classic-marathon-trilogy-is-coming-to-steam-thanks-to-a-fan-revival|title=Bungie's Classic Marathon Trilogy Is Coming to Steam, Thanks to a Fan Revival|first=Michael|last=Cripe|date=2024-03-21|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/classic-marathon-is-coming-to-steam-well-before-the-unclassic-marathon-reboot/|title=Classic Marathon is coming to Steam well before the unclassic Marathon reboot|first=Lincoln|last=Carpenter|date=2024-03-18|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/marathon/classic-steam|title=This classic ’90s Doom rival appears to be finally coming to Steam|first=Will|last=Nelson|website=[[PCGamesN]]|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/marathon-fan-revival-coming-to-steam-with-bungies-blessing|website=[[Eurogamer]]|title=Marathon fan revival coming to Steam with Bungie's blessing|first=Victoria|last=Kennedy|date=2024-03-19|access-date=2024-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/original-marathon-games-bungie-free-on-steam|title=As everyone waits for Bungie's new take on Marathon, the original games come to Steam for free|first=Oisin|last=Kuhnke|date=2024-05-12|access-date=2024-07-03|website=[[VG247]]}}</ref> -->