Proto:Marathon

This page details one or more prototype versions of Marathon.

This article has just been started and needs the article basics added. Help us out and add them.

To do: A lot more...really... Specifically, we need the graphics rips, sound comparisons and map rips.

Compiled in January 1994, Marathon has barely developed at this point. It was shown at Macworld 1994 and was met with a negative reception, since everyone thought the game was just Pathways Into Darkness in Space. Fortunately, Bungie continued to work on the game and greatly improved it. It was available to the public on the Trilogy box set CD.

A potentially infringing tribute to the eponymous comic book character. More subtle references would later show up in Marathon Infinity.

General Differences

• The engine is the same as the one used in Pathways into Darkness and thus plays more like that game.
• Only one enemy is seen in the entire prototype.
• Only two maps are present.
• Three weapons are present in the game's data, but only two of them are actually usable.
• The ammo is ridiculously small.
• The graphics are much lower quality and generally more cartoony.
• No music whatsoever. There are sound effects present, though.
• There are a group of six buttons besides the action window. The only one that works is the 3rd, counting from the lowest to the highest. It takes you to the beginning of the game - it doesn't restart your saved game

Misc.

• With Quicktime versions later than 2.5, you can live even without any oxygen.
• There are entries for six more maps, but they are empty.

Controls

You can't customize them in this version, so here's a handy guide:

• Tab, Option - Action
• Arrow keys / Numeric keypad / P, ;, L and ' keys - Movement
• Space Bar/Enter/Return - Fire
• X and C keys; "[" and "]" keys - Sidestep
• 1 - Selects the Tool Mark IV pistol
• 2 key - Selects the SPNKR-25 Auto Cannon
• 3 key - ?
• 4 key - 100% screen
• 5 key - 75% screen
• 6 key - 50% screen
• 7 key - ?
• 8 key - floor texture on/off
• 9 key - low resolution on/off (disabled in marathon.fat)
• Command-S - Save game (not recommended in marathon.fat)
• Command-O - Open saved game (will crash marathon.fat)
• Command-I - Preferences

(Source: http://marathon.bungie.org/story/betasfjan94.html)