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'''''Marathon Infinity''''' is the third and final game in the ''[[Marathon (computer game series)|Marathon Trilogy]]'' of [[science fiction]] [[first-person shooter]] [[computer game]]s from [[Bungie Studios|Bungie Software]]. The game was released on [[October 15]], [[1996]] and included more [[level (computer and video games)|level]]s than its predecessor [[Marathon 2: Durandal|''Marathon 2'']]. These were larger, and formed part of a more intricate plot that spanned both space and time. The underlying engine of the game changed little from the one in ''Marathon 2'', and many levels can be played unmodified in both games. The only significant additions were the Jjaro ship texture set, multiple paths between levels, vacuum-enabled humans carrying fusion weapons (called "Vacuum Bobs" or "VacBobs") and a new weapon. ''Marathon Infinity'', unlike ''[[Marathon 2]]'', was originally released only for the [[Apple Macintosh]].
'''''Marathon Infinity''''' is the third and final game in the ''[[Marathon (computer game series)|Marathon Trilogy]]'' of [[science fiction]] [[first-person shooter]] [[computer game]]s from [[Bungie Studios|Bungie Software]]. The game was released on [[October 15]], [[1996]] and included more [[level (computer and video games)|level]]s than its predecessor [[Marathon 2: Durandal|''Marathon 2'']]. These were larger, and formed part of a more intricate plot that spanned both space and time. The underlying engine of the game changed little from the one in ''Marathon 2'', and many levels can be played unmodified in both games. The only significant additions are the Jjaro ship texture set, multiple paths between levels, vacuum-enabled humans carrying fusion weapons (called "Vacuum Bobs" or "VacBobs") and a new weapon. ''Marathon Infinity'', unlike ''[[Marathon 2]]'', was originally released only for the [[Apple Macintosh]].


== Story==
== Story==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:marathonterminal.jpg|frame|left|A terminal in ''Marathon Infinity''|{{deletable image-caption|1=Saturday, 3 January 2009}}]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:marathonterminal.jpg|frame|left|A terminal in ''Marathon Infinity''|{{deletable image-caption|1=Saturday, 3 January 2009}}]] -->


The story in the single-player version of ''Marathon Infinity'', titled “Blood Tides of Lh’owon”, is often considered to be confusing. For example, it begins as if large parts, if not all, of the events in ''Marathon 2'' had not happened. Theories differ on exactly what happens in this game, but the consensus is that the player somehow jumps between alternative realities, seeking to prevent a chaotic entity, the [[W’rkncacnter]], from being released from Lh'owon's dying sun. These jumps are apparently caused either by Jjaro technology or by the W’rkncacnter’s chaotic nature. For example, the player begins the game as Durandal's ally, only to be transported to a reality where Durandal did not capture the player after the events of ''Marathon''. As such, he is controlled by the Pfhor-tortured AI Tycho.
The story in the single-player version of ''Marathon Infinity'', titled “Blood Tides of Lh’owon”, is not told in a explicit fashion. For example, it begins as if large parts, if not all, of the events in ''Marathon 2'' had not happened. The story involves the player "jumping" between alternative realities in surreal dream sequences, seeking to prevent a chaotic entity, the [[W’rkncacnter]], from being released from Lh'owon's dying sun. These jumps are apparently caused either by Jjaro technology or by the W’rkncacnter’s chaotic nature. For example, the player begins the game as Durandal's ally, only to be transported to a reality where Durandal did not capture the player after the events of ''Marathon''. As such, he is controlled by the Pfhor-tortured AI Tycho.


After multiple instances of these "jumps", the player (seemingly the only being who realizes he is being transported between possible realities) activates the ancient Jjaro station, preventing the chaotic entity's release. The ending screen of ''Infinity'' leaves the story's resolution open-ended, taking place billions of years after the events of ''Marathon Infinity''.
After multiple instances of these "jumps", the player (seemingly the only being who realizes he is being transported between possible realities) activates the ancient Jjaro station, preventing the chaotic entity's release. The ending screen of ''Infinity'' leaves the story's resolution open-ended, taking place billions of years after the events of ''Marathon Infinity'' during the final moments of the universe.


Despite the player’s being teleported to a Jjaro station by Durandal and left with a grim message in the beginning of ''Infinity'', both Durandal and Earth did survive in the original timeline as can be seen at the end of ''Marathon 2''.
Despite the player’s being teleported to a Jjaro station by Durandal and left with a grim message in the beginning of ''Infinity'', both Durandal and Earth did survive in the original timeline as can be seen at the end of ''Marathon 2''.


== Gameplay ==
== Multiplayer modes == <!-- texts rephrased from the manual -->
Core game mechanics change little from Marathon 2. The player is placed into a usually semi-nonlinear level and is generally given a task which must be completed. Upon completion of this objective, the player then proceeds to an extraction point, usually in the form of a terminal. However, there are a few major deviations appear. Unlike pervious games, certain actions will cause the game to branch out. However, the game does not contain multiple endings, as these branches will eventually merge back into the main story. The game also makes much greater use of plugin physics models that change game settings from level to level. This is most evident from the player's constantly changing allies throughout the game, as almost every creature in the game will act as both allies and enemies as the game progresses. It should also be noted that Marathon Infinity utilizes "Vacuum levels" a great deal more than previous installments in the series (only one such level appeared in the original Marathon and were completely absent in Marathon 2.) In these levels the player is restricted to certain weapons and gradually looses oxygen, failure to keep the player's oxygen supply from running out will result in death.
;Every Man For Himself
:The objective here is to kill everyone else and not die. The player with the best kill ratio (actually kills minus deaths) wins. Compare this to many other games, where only kills (and suicides) affect a player's score.
;Kill The Guy With The Ball
:The objective is to possess the ball (which is actually a skull) for the longest amount of time. When carrying the ball, running is disabled. The player can’t use any weapons when in possession of the ball, however, pressing the fire key will drop the ball and then re-enable firing. The motion sensor displays an orange indicator indicating the location of the ball. A multiplayer mode in [[Halo (game)|Halo]], also developed by [[Bungie Studios|Bungie]], there is a mode called Oddball, which is very similar to Kill The Guy With The Ball.
;King Of The Hill
:The objective is to stand on the "hill" the longest. "Hill" in this sense is just a figure of speech: it could be anywhere on the map and is indicated by the orange pointer on the motion sensor. Note that every player is trying to do the same, and others will most likely try to kill the player if he gets in their way.
;Tag
:The first person to die is "it". If the player is "it", he can tag someone (by killing them) and then they are "it". The objective is to be "it" the least. The motion sensor's orange indicator points to whomever is "it".
;Team Play
:This is an available option for any of the above gametypes. Team play divides everyone into teams by the colors chosen in the Join or Setup dialog. Every player chooses a team color (legs) and individual color (torso). Each team tries to score higher than the other teams, with the same scoring systems as used in non-team games, except for killing teammates. The player can see his teammate's point of view by pressing the delete key.
;Cooperative
:The game scenario can be played cooperatively with other network players. The objective is to complete the ''Marathon Infinity'' scenario as a team (i.e. cooperatively). All players teleport to the next level when the first one does. When a player dies, he drops his items. Saving is disabled when using this feature.


Multiplayer in Marathon Infinity is identical to Marathon 2, save new maps and the added weapon.
== Editing tools ==
== Editing tools ==
One of the most dramatic improvements in the game was the inclusion of Bungie's own level-creating software, Forge, and their physics and in-game graphics editor, Anvil. Forge and Anvil allowed a new generation of players to create their own levels and scenarios using the same tools as the Bungie developers themselves. Another improvement was the ability to include separate monster, weapons, and physics definitions for each level, a feature heavily used by [[Double Aught]], who designed the ''Marathon Infinity'' levels.
One of the most dramatic improvements in the game was the inclusion of Bungie's own level-creating software, Forge, and their physics and in-game graphics editor, Anvil. Forge and Anvil allowed a new generation of players to create their own levels and scenarios using the same tools as the Bungie developers themselves. Another improvement was the ability to include separate monster, weapons, and physics definitions for each level, a feature heavily used by [[Double Aught]], who designed the ''Marathon Infinity'' levels.

Revision as of 20:46, 30 May 2009


Marathon Infinity
Developer(s)Bungie Software
Publisher(s)Bungie Software
Platform(s)Mac OS
ReleaseOctober 15, 1996
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Marathon Infinity is the third and final game in the Marathon Trilogy of science fiction first-person shooter computer games from Bungie Software. The game was released on October 15, 1996 and included more levels than its predecessor Marathon 2. These were larger, and formed part of a more intricate plot that spanned both space and time. The underlying engine of the game changed little from the one in Marathon 2, and many levels can be played unmodified in both games. The only significant additions are the Jjaro ship texture set, multiple paths between levels, vacuum-enabled humans carrying fusion weapons (called "Vacuum Bobs" or "VacBobs") and a new weapon. Marathon Infinity, unlike Marathon 2, was originally released only for the Apple Macintosh.

Story

The story in the single-player version of Marathon Infinity, titled “Blood Tides of Lh’owon”, is not told in a explicit fashion. For example, it begins as if large parts, if not all, of the events in Marathon 2 had not happened. The story involves the player "jumping" between alternative realities in surreal dream sequences, seeking to prevent a chaotic entity, the W’rkncacnter, from being released from Lh'owon's dying sun. These jumps are apparently caused either by Jjaro technology or by the W’rkncacnter’s chaotic nature. For example, the player begins the game as Durandal's ally, only to be transported to a reality where Durandal did not capture the player after the events of Marathon. As such, he is controlled by the Pfhor-tortured AI Tycho.

After multiple instances of these "jumps", the player (seemingly the only being who realizes he is being transported between possible realities) activates the ancient Jjaro station, preventing the chaotic entity's release. The ending screen of Infinity leaves the story's resolution open-ended, taking place billions of years after the events of Marathon Infinity during the final moments of the universe.

Despite the player’s being teleported to a Jjaro station by Durandal and left with a grim message in the beginning of Infinity, both Durandal and Earth did survive in the original timeline as can be seen at the end of Marathon 2.

Gameplay

Core game mechanics change little from Marathon 2. The player is placed into a usually semi-nonlinear level and is generally given a task which must be completed. Upon completion of this objective, the player then proceeds to an extraction point, usually in the form of a terminal. However, there are a few major deviations appear. Unlike pervious games, certain actions will cause the game to branch out. However, the game does not contain multiple endings, as these branches will eventually merge back into the main story. The game also makes much greater use of plugin physics models that change game settings from level to level. This is most evident from the player's constantly changing allies throughout the game, as almost every creature in the game will act as both allies and enemies as the game progresses. It should also be noted that Marathon Infinity utilizes "Vacuum levels" a great deal more than previous installments in the series (only one such level appeared in the original Marathon and were completely absent in Marathon 2.) In these levels the player is restricted to certain weapons and gradually looses oxygen, failure to keep the player's oxygen supply from running out will result in death.

Multiplayer in Marathon Infinity is identical to Marathon 2, save new maps and the added weapon.

Editing tools

One of the most dramatic improvements in the game was the inclusion of Bungie's own level-creating software, Forge, and their physics and in-game graphics editor, Anvil. Forge and Anvil allowed a new generation of players to create their own levels and scenarios using the same tools as the Bungie developers themselves. Another improvement was the ability to include separate monster, weapons, and physics definitions for each level, a feature heavily used by Double Aught, who designed the Marathon Infinity levels.

See Marathon total conversions for some examples of games created using Forge and Anvil.

Trivia

  • In going from Marathon 2 to Marathon Infinity, Bungie was given a joke award by MacFormat magazine for "largest version number increase".
  • The open source game engine based on the source code for Marathon 2 is called Aleph One, the next "number" after ∞.
  • In Red vs. Blue, a machinima based on the Halo series Bungie created after the Marathon trilogy, the character Church sets off a ten-megaton bomb that sends his allies forward in time to a reality represented by Halo's sequel, Halo 2. At the same time, he is blown backwards in time represented by Marathon Infinity.
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