Bungie Marathon News

Marathon's
Story
Page

since 1995

marathon.bungie.org/story

Marathon's
Story
Page

since 2019

marathon.bungie.org/story

Wednesday April 30, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #708.

This put a smile on my face...

laemons on the Marathon Discord writes:

i made an edit lol

Marathon edit by laemons on the Marathon Discord. April 28, 2025.
Now I smiled not because of the movie but this meme reply from cookedbread.

And I am like... why is this so Marathon!

What has been seen cannot be unseen...

But I digress.

Aphelion (@aphelionartist) on tumblr writes:

some art inspired by Marathon because i've been following it for a long time and the recent cinematic short was rad

VOID and Glitch by Aphelion (@aphelionartist) on tumblr. April 25, 2025
So Void... so Glitch... so Marathon.

Where are all the Goth streamers at?

As everyone who has played the Marathon Alpha knows the only way to play Marathon solo is to play... Goth mode.

Play as Void, avoid other people and stay out of the light.

angrymoosekf provides advice on how to play Goth mode in a reddit post entitled I completed all the priority contracts in the alpha solo.

Oddly Bungie don't want you to play Goth mode.

They want you to play with other people.

But that's not the MIDA way.

MIDA kids. MIDA ANTI:REV+ issue 4673c (page 5). Marathon ARG. May 2023.
Marathon Is Direct Avoidance.

Tuesday April 29, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #707.

Old-school Marathon fan Jeff Nosanov writes:

I had the idea this morning of running the entire story page through a ChatGPT Deep Research query to summarize it.

I use ChatGPT extensively and this query took the longest of the hundreds of queries I have run, over 30 minutes.

I think you will be impressed by the output. It felt somehow appropriate to use AI to tell the story of our favorite story itself motivated by character AIs.

https://chatgpt.com/share/680f9987-2204-8001-9179-b9263fce515e

It is quite the experience to see some shades of science fiction become reality, only 30 years after the story of Marathon was written.

Thirty minutes?

That's equivalent to 700,000 litres of water or something.

I love the initial response from the AI.

This will take a bit since I will be working through a large amount of material

Well the Marathon's Story page (raw and uncensored) is equivalent to some sixty-four billion exobytes.

Even the Wayback Machine has given up trying to archive it fully.

Thirty minutes!

Tick tock... tick tock...

Want to know what happened to the colonists on Tau Ceti?

Want to know if you are a Battleroid or just a cyborg?

Want to know the answer to the Ultimate Question?

Well AIs have the answers... you just have to read them!

AIs have yet to learn the ability of creating YouTube videos to give you a summary of their findings.

But when they do...

The Earth will be a dust bowl and the last human will be...

...you.

Monday April 28, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #706.

Remember the date.

Madeline on the Marathon Discord has put together a nice movie with an important date at the end.

Marathon by Madeline on the Marathon Discord. April 27, 2025.

Getting a strong Alien vibe from this.

Interesting to see more high profile content creators expressing their views on Marathon's solo play or lack thereof.

HiddenXperia does his... We NEED To Talk About... and gives a passionate plea for solo queue at launch.

To understand exactly how the game is currently stacked against the solo player watch Gigabeef's The Game That HATES....

But we should all remember that Bungie are now marketing Marathon as a team-based game.

In Marathon, players inhabit a Runner, a cybernetic mercenary scouring the remains of a lost colony of Tau Ceti IV for fortune and power. Players team up in crews of three as they battle rival Runner teams and hostile security forces for weapons and upgrades.

Indeed, according to Eternal in The Struggle of a Solo Player... Destiny 2 has been steadily steaming in this direction to the determent of solo players in steerage.

But remember folks, these are Bungie's games... you just pay to play in them.

But I digress.

What about the lore?

The Marathon Alpha comes with a fair amount of new lore and some callbacks to the original game.

Thanks to chance on the Marathon Discord for this one.

"Your candles spit and gutter" posted by chance on the Marathon Discord. April 27, 2025.

This of course is a reference to the three candles metaphor on Colony Ship For Sale, Cheap.

The candles burn out for you; I am free.

You can listen to it below.

The question of course is who caused this signal override?

Much of the new lore is coming from the three Faction AIs we currently have access to.

I love the voice acting for Gaius. Has a real creepy corporate vibe to it.

I wouldn't be surprised if we find out that NuCaloric products are made from people (shades of Soylent Green).

I am Gaius, contacting you on behalf of
NuCaloric Agricultural.

You have crawled through the detritus of
Tau Ceti. What did you see stamped on
buildings, furnishings, and food?
NuCaloric product numbers.

Collect all the numbers you find
and enter them into this terminal.
Begin by collecting the mundane.

We had a major stake in the original
colony mission, and we must know why it
failed. NuCaloric exists to feed, 
clothe, and supply humanity with its
most basic needs. That mission extends
to Tau Ceti.

The colony's economic loss is mundane, 
the setback to human survival is
profound. Begin by investigating the
mundane... the colony's first major
expansion.

Sunday April 27, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #705.

pfhorrest on the Marathon Discord writes concerning the first terminal on the last level of Marathon Infinity 'Aye Mak Sicur'.

Aye Mak Sicur is the motto of the Scottish Clan Kirkpatrick and means "I'll Make Sure".

As an aside the motto of the Scottish Clan Sinclair is "Commit thy work to God".

Perhaps that should be "Commit thy work to Marathon".

But I digress.

pfhorrest writes:

so I was just reading a terminal from aye mak sicur and noticed that the translator software seems to write word(synonym), in the case of core(heart) at least...

and then later says wrkncacnter(doubt), which suggests that "doubt" is a synonym for "wrkncacnter"? got me to thinking of how earlier tycho tells us that we're "fighting doubt itself"...

but before I could really think more on that, I noticed that it says also yrro(farcast), a phrasing I quite remember but perhaps never grokked, not noticing the translation syntax here. is "farcast" supposed to be a synonym for "yrro"? what does "farcast" mean? and googling for that, I found...

https://hyperioncantos.fandom.com/wiki/Farcaster

which kind of rings a bell as something someone reported to the MSP already ages ago.

What can I say... (circumstances are cyclical).

Remorse.

This is what happens when you leave a teammate behind in the Data Wall.

I don't know what the motto of Clan Goff is but it is not... "Never leave anyone behind".

Then again it was Jason Jones who said...

Kill your enemies, Kill your friends' enemies, Kill your friends.

Those Ticks though...

...They're Everywhere!

If you haven't played Bungie's "Pathways Into Darkness" you probably won't get this.

Here's an awesome piece of artwork by irrezolut (@irrezolut).

VOID by irrezolut (@irrezolut) on x.com. April 23, 2025.
irrezolut writes:

(VOID)
---CROP//DETAIL
36x24" / 91.44 x 60.96 cm
Mixed Media Painting

LAYER.7__WASH/WATERCOLOR
LAYER.6__PRIMER(00F..)//[DRY]
LAYER.5__COLLAGE
LAYER.4__SEALANT//[DRY]
LAYER.3__SKETCH
LAYER.2__BLOCKING
LAYER.1__PRIMER(FFF)//[DRY]
LAYER.0__RAW COTTON

Sometimes the old methods are the best.

As the artwork says... "Who's afraid of old age?"

Saturday April 26, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #704.

Old-school Marathon fan Michael Lake (aka Beorn) writes:

It has been [checks notes...] ahem... 9,110 days since my last correspondence with you.

I've been inspired by the latest Marathon graphic design language as seen in the recent ARG and felt compelled to create some Marathon-themed wallpapers for desktop and mobile devices.

I wanted to send this in to the Story Page to share them with the community.

The piece is titled "Escape Will Make Me God" (for obvious reasons).

There are a handful of color options, so I rendered out a quick sampler vid and popped it on YouTube.

I've already posted the links to the DBO Forum.

Now THIS is how you promote your Marathon creations.

The Times They Are a-Changin'.

Michael Lake. Marathon Wallpapers sampler vid.

DBO is of course destiny.bungie.org.

And on the subject of Destiny...

Toby Bellingham writes:

Hello Hamish, I'm a long-time Destiny player and since the announcement of the new Marathon game I've been playing through the classic Marathon games and digging through all the lore. Your website has been an incredible resource so thank you for that.

Something interesting that is still, as far as I'm aware, unresolved is the mystery of the YouTube account "joyeuse7" and its singular upload "!ettinggo" which appears to be strongly connected to both Marathon and Destiny. Now most people believe nowadays that the entire video is fake, this Reddit post discusses it in detail, but I'm not fully convinced.

I'm assuming you're already aware of this mystery, but either way I'll share my thoughts.

The video begins with a piece of writing in green text upon a black background with the robotic skeleton from the NeuroSpasta logo sitting above. NeuroSpasta being some old game that has no relation to Bungie as far as I'm aware?

Then flashes of different images around the 3-4 second mark, one image depicting the Marathon logo in the background with CybeAcme text flipped in the top-right, another depicting a destroyed city-scape in black and white with another small piece of writing as well as another image that shows the Destiny Tricorn above a series of numbers and letters and a series of sevens.

Finally, art of a sword with a green infinity symbol in front of it. Perhaps referencing Marathon Infinity?

Let's not forget the morse-code in the background! Which apparently translates to "TAKE UP YOUR ARMS, MY CHILDREN. TAKE UP YOUR ARMS AND EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY." according to someone in the comments.

Now I'm sure all of the nods to Marathon and Destiny and Bungie as a whole are obvious, most interesting in my opinion is the art of the sword itself and the name of the channel "joyeuse7" with Joyeuse being the sword wielded by Charlemagne. Charlemagne is referenced in the first Marathon game in "Public Access Terminal 49-z". Charlemagne is also a sub-mind of the AI Rasputin in Destiny however it seems like in the original narrative for Destiny 1, Charlemagne was going to be an entirely unique character, another AI like Rasputin.

Like I said before, a Reddit post has proven this video to be constructed from an assortment of different assets all of which were publicly available as of the video's creation in 2011 however I don't think the mystery is solved at all, discovering the assets that compose the video doesn't explain who created it or why. Truthfully I believe the contents of this video line-up far too well with Marathon, Destiny's original narrative that was scrapped and Bungie as a whole to just be a fun project by a fan. Perhaps the work of a developer? Bungie continues to deny any involvement and has since as far back as 2013 I believe, but I just don't buy it!

Perhaps the original narrative for Destiny was linked to Marathon much more directly, or perhaps it really is just all coincidence. Or maybe this whole video is the work of you! Anyway, just curious if you have any thoughts or opinions of your own. I'd be surprised if you hadn't already written about this somewhere and I've missed it!

!lettinggo by joyeuse7

All I will say is that those Cortana Letters have a lot to answer for.

Friday April 25, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #703.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.

"Tears in rain" a 42-word monologue by Roy Batty from Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner.
I've seen many ways people have tried to get Alpha access but this goes above and beyond.

It's by Bakamoli on the Marathon Discord and it's a prayer.

Dear Lord above, in realms unseen,
I seek a code-a sacred dream.
To test the game before the rest,
And prove my skills in every quest.

Lord, grant me the strength to hold the line,
Through server waits and loading sign.
Let emails bless my weary soul,
With access to that alpha goal.

Though others boast and claim their key,
I trust Your plan is best for me.
But if You will, please hear my plea-
Let that sweet code come unto me.

Amen.

Get Bakamoli a code!

I've seen many good ideas on how Marathon can be improved by those playing the Alpha. Let's hope Bungie are listening.

The one that ranks high on many lists is a solo mode (solo queue).

When Marathon was first announced back in May 24, 2023 Bungie's press release stated:

Marathon is a sci-fi PvP extraction shooter where players will embody cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners. Exploring a lost colony on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Runners - working solo or as part of three-person crews - will fight for survival, for riches, and for fame.

Now there were few details about what "working solo" meant but I am sure there were very few people who thought it was working solo against three-person teams.

Marathon is now being marketed explicity as a "team" game. Bungie's press release (April 12, 2025) states:

In Marathon, players inhabit a Runner, a cybernetic mercenary scouring the remains of a lost colony of Tau Ceti IV for fortune and power. Players team up in crews of three as they battle rival Runner teams and hostile security forces for weapons and upgrades.

And yes you can play solo, if you like.

But good luck with that.

Then again maybe this will become the new Vidmaster achievement. Lay waste to entire teams with only your knife, Rambo style.

I fear that the lack of a solo queue will deter a lot of casual players and those who just want to unwind in the evening playing an hour or two of Marathon (without having to schedule ANOTHER meeting).

Just saying.

Three-person team seeks solo player for a foursome on Tau Ceti. Must have big gun.

Thursday April 24, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #702.

And so it begins...

RamenSunrise (the eagle-eyed one) on the Marathon Discord writes:

In the menu where you establish a link with CyberAcme there's a video that plays as an AI named ONI guides you through reorientation.

This connection comes from the terminal 9.42.857.10

This terminal is the same one reached at the very end of the level Blaspheme Quarantine in which you are kidnapped by durandal and forced to fight through his "game".

I think this might indicate that CyberAcme might be onboard/operating from the Marathon already

You can see the Blaspheme Quarantine terminal here.

It's the one where Leela establishes contact with you and sends you off to rescue a security detachment (aka BoBs).

If you see a terminal with this number <33.6792.23.91> I suggest you... RUN.

Marathon...

Marathon VOID
...be like...

Marathon by k (@KyeZzzz) on x.com. April 20, 2025.
Visceral is probably the word you are looking for.

It it did we would all be playing a MATURE rated game.

On the subject of VOID.

Jacob (@TheComradeVideo) writes:

Btw anyone who enjoys Marathons story really should read the Destination: Void books. Marathon probably owes more then a little to them.

Frank Herbert's Destination: Void. First edition June 1966, Berkley.
For years people have been writing in saying that Marathon was influenced by Frank Herbert's Destination: Void, the first of four novels in his Pandora Sequence series. First published in June 1966.

In truth it was first published a year earlier in Galaxy Magazine (August 1965), under the title Do I Wake or Dream?

Frank Herbert's Do I Wake Or Dream. Galaxy Magazine (August 1965).
I mean you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.

Part of the story relates how:

In the future, mankind has tried to develop artificial intelligence, succeeding only once, and then disastrously. A transmission from the project site on an island in the Puget Sound, "Rogue consciousness!", was followed by slaughter and destruction, culminating in the island vanishing from the face of the earth.

I know... a vanishing colony and all that.

The Frank Herbert estate remains silent... for now.

Wednesday April 23, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #701.

Happy Marathon Alpha Day.

Remember to hydrate... hydrate... hydrate...

This is a marathon, not a sprint.

From the Marathon ARG 2023.
And don't forget your CAR.R.O.T's.

Jason Jones has this to say about Bungie's first PvP only game.

Kill your enemies, Kill your friends' enemies, Kill your friends.

That's right folks... it's the tagline for Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete.

Released in February 1992 and Bungie's first PvP only game.

Hard to believe we have come full circle.

Then again as they say in Marathon... (circumstances are cyclical).

Xbox fans got a headstart over PlayStation fans yesterday as someone pushed the wrong button and gave them even 'earlier' access to Marathon.

Games were played, lore was obtained and Runners died...

...then everything was wiped out. Phhht! Just like that.

Bungie explained:

Looks like there was an issue where some Xbox players could join early. We fixed it and will wipe all progress before we invite everyone with access back in tomorrow starting at 10AM Pacific.

That's 10AM Pacific today!

Are you ready?

Time to gear up!

Marathon Infinity Japanese Guide title page. Drawing by Michio Hashimoto (aka Miha).

Tuesday April 22, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #700.

Yes folks, it's been 700 days since the Marathon Announcement back on May 24, 2023.

Marathon announcement. Bungie. May 24, 2023.

Bungie only missed their 700 day countdown to Alpha by ONE day!

But who was counting? Certainly not the Story page.

Perhaps someone forgot that 2024 was a leap year.

Alternatively, Bungie may have started their count at 0 like the Marathon levels.

Whatever the answer tomorow will see the select few who didn't piss Bungie off over the last 700 days get to play the Marathon Alpha.

Apparently they needed an AI working full-time to come up with the 'Patriot List'. Are you on it?

And remember what Jason Jones said about the original Marathon... Sleep is for the weak.

So no sleeping for the next two weeks.

WHY YOU SLEEP?

Want that NuMarathon look with that old Marathon feel?

Well thanks to tacticus359 (@tacticus359) on tumblr... everything old is new again.

NuMagnums by tacticus359 (@tacticus359) on tumblr. April 18, 2025.
tacticus359 writes:

Inspired by that new Marathon art style, here's a version of the Marathon 1 magnum pistols. The style isn't a 1-1 match, but I wanted to keep a bit more of the original game's feel in there.

And the Zeus Class Fusion Pistol in the new style.

NuFusion by tacticus359 (@tacticus359) on tumblr. April 18, 2025.
Staying on the theme of everything old is new again, Matthew Griffith (@griffithmakes) on X gives us "Nowhere to Run", a modern take on a classic look.

Nowhere to Run by Matthew Griffith (@griffithmakes) on x.com. April 14, 2025.
It's just a scratch!

So back in February kanokoga (@kanokoga) entertained us with a serious of Marathon/Frieren crossover artwork while playing Marathon.

We featured Frieren's adventures aboard the UESC Marathon between February 11, 2025 and February 25, 2025.

It was fun ride.

Now Frieren is back!

NuMarathon/Frieren crossover by kanokoga (@kanokoga) on x.com. April 10, 2025.
The expression on Frieren's face is... priceless.

Paraphrasing from the Wizard of Oz.... KAAL, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

KAAL be like...

YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE DOWN HERE.

Monday April 21, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #699.

Do Runners Dream of Electric Cats?

Marathon Save the Date animated scene by courtana (@courtana) on tumblr. April 7, 2025

Something that Joseph Cross (@josephacross) posted recently caught my attention. He wrote:

This is one of my favorite key images from early visual development around Runners & consciousness, exploring visual metaphor.

VOID final art by Joseph Cross on x.com. April 19, 2025
Back on May 24, 2023 Bungie announced Marathon.

Front and center on the marathonthegame.com website was the following text promoting the trailer.

Here's the text part.

...and back again... and back again... and back again...

Fast forward to April 12, 2025 and in the Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short, Runners undergo Grounding exercises before going on mission.

In several scenes Runners appear to have difficultly in remember past details about themselves.

To paraphrase Marathon 2... they're a little fuzzy.

Back on November 29, 2023 I wrote how the concept of putting a human consciousness in an android body was explored in the tv series Westworld (4 seasons, 2016 - 2022).

"Every piece of information in the world has been copied. Backed up. Except the human mind... the last analog device in a digital world. We weren't here to code the hosts. We were here to decode the guests. Humans are playing at resurrection. They want to live forever."
Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins). Westworld. Season 2, Episode 7. Les Écorchés. June 3, 2018.

However, in Westworld it didn't work. The mind began to degrade in a matter of days.

The last part of the Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short is interesting in that it shows VOID VII (yes that's a seven) and a hint that something is not quite right.

To paraphrase Marathon... Everything is not as it seems{}. seems{}. seems{}..

Sunday April 20, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #698.

Happy Marathon CD ROM Day!

Yes folks, on this day 30 years ago Bungie announced that Marathon would be released on CD-ROM.

Remember those?

The CD originally came as an insert in the back of the Marathon manual.

Fortunately Bungie finally opted for a fancy CD sleeve to keep your CD safe.

What Bungie did not tell us is in their annoucement was that they had put seven audio tracks on the Marathon CD.

Seven Marathon music tracks in high quality format. The definitive versions of Marathon's level music.

You can hear them on YouTube.

Fighting the Pfhor on the final level to the sound of Splash (Marathon) still rokƶ to this day.

Ingue Ferroque by Jason Jones. The final level in Marathon.
Bungie also hid three Marathon betas in an invisible folder on the CD.

It waa located here.

Can you see it?

Now who would look for invisible stuff on a Compact Disc back in mid-1995?

Indeed Bungie may have been the first company to hide stuff on a CD for fans to find.

Happy Marathon CD ROM Day!

Saturday April 19, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #697.

And then there were... six.

Marathon Factions that is.

CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi.

Remember when Destiny had three Factions?

From left to right.

Dead Orbit (Democratic Survivalist)
Future War Cult (FWC) (Paramilitary Spiritualist)
New Monarchy (Political (Centralist) / Monarchist)

Factions sell merchandise. Lots of merchandise.

Early 2013 pre-release Destiny Faction t-shirts.

Bungie got their top models to wear them.

In the first game players could purchase Faction-themed weapons and armor which would identify them as being aligned to that Faction.

In Destiny 2 Faction Rallies were introduced where players would align with one of the three Factions and compete against the others in week-long events hosted once a month.

Eight Faction Rallies were held between September 2017 and July 2018 and then they stopped.

On February 26, 2020 Bungie's Luke Smith announced:

Lots of folks have been wondering if Faction Rallies will return. We have no plans to bring back Faction Rallies. The reward gear hasn't been used that much, our character cast is growing too large, and crucially, they didn't drive a bunch of engagement with the game.

Dead Orbit, Future War Cult and New Monarchy have pretty much disappeared from the game.

Sure there is the odd reference to them here and there.

Perhaps someone didn't get the memo.

Fast forward to 2023.

Pre-release Marathon Faction t-shirts.

For all those who bought the UESC t-shirt... sorry.

No longer a Faction apparently. Just a bunch of droids... Roger Roger... and all that.

Fast forward to 2025.

Pre-release Marathon Faction t-shirt.

Calleweird bought the weave dream.

Sekiguchi t-shirt worn by Calleweird on the Marathon Discord. April 18, 2025.

If nothing else... Marathon has taught us that... (circumstances are cyclical)

As for Arachne... well that's a story for another day.

Friday April 18, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #696.

It's sketchy Friday!

We've got sketches.

Alex Blashill (aka AlexB207) gives us an OG compiler sketch and final image.

Compiler (sketch and final) by Alex Blashill (AlexB207) on the Marathon Discord. April 15, 2025
The compilers in Marathon were originally a race known as the S'pht. Their homeworld Lh'owon was attacked by the Pfhor approximately 1000 years before the events at Tau Ceti. Those that survived were enslaved and genetically engineered by the Pfhor. During the attack on the Marathon the Pfhor used compilers to hack the ship's systems.

The original S'pht can be seen in Marathon 2: Durandal.

Neite gives us a nice work in progress on the new Marathon character Glitch.

Glitch sketches by Neite on the Marathon Discord. April 16, 2025
Still trying to figure out that 'gangsta' grip.

Seashby gives us this nice sketch of the UESC Marathon.

UESC Marathon sketch by Seashby on the Marathon Discord. April 15, 2025.
The original concept art for the new look Marathon colony ship was created by Tom Hicks, a freelance concept artist from Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom.

Concerning his work for Bungie he wrote:

A freelance four week contract. Developed inspirational and explorative pieces for a (currently) unannounced project. Worked along-side closely, consistently and exchanged feedback with the art director.

Shortly after the Marathon Announcement Tom posted his Marathon concept work on Artstation. He wrote:

First gig for a big name company! Super proud to be a part of such a huge game title! Here are the concepts and development for the ship I designed for the new Marathon game by Bungie! I'm assuming it's safe to show these since the trailer got released recently and it's only really for the design of the ship that was shown! I'm very pleased it got time in the teaser trailer. Whether or not it makes it to the final game who knows but I'm so happy it got into the trailer!

DISCLAIMER: I did not make the pieces/images that were shown in the trailer, however they ARE based off the design work I created for Bungie.

Tom's final concept art for the UESC Marathon.

UESC Marathon final concept art by Ton Hicks on Artstation. May 25, 2023.
Within the space of a few hours his Marathon concept art was removed from Artstation. Phhht! Just like that.

It was Paul Chadeisson (@PaulC04) who brought the UESC Marathon concept design by Tom Hicks to life in the Marathon Announcement trailer.

UESC Marathon (Marathon Announcement trailer) by Paul Chadeisson. May 24, 2023.

UESC Marathon (Marathon Announcement trailer) by Paul Chadeisson. May 24, 2023.
In the recent Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short the UESC Marathon has had a redesign...

UESC Marathon (Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short screenshot). April 12, 2025.
...and them some.

UESC Marathon (Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short still). April 12, 2025.
Beware of Low-Flying Meteors...

Happy sketchy Friday.

Stay sketchy.

Thursday April 17, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #695.

Extreme-Land-1174 on r/marathon put together the segments from the Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short of Ben Starr narrating the Shelly poem Ozymandias.

Ben Starr delivers Ozymandias by Extreme-Land-1174 r/marathon. April 12, 2025.
Ben Starr is an English actor and voice actor and it shows in his delivery of the poem.

In the credits section of the Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short at 8:19 Ben Starr's name appears with symbols after it.

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short credits. April 12, 2025.
It is the only name in the credits to have symbols after it.

While the eight symbols are all unique it shouldn't be too hard to crack this code... right?

Ben Starr has worked on a number of games and has won awards for his voice work.

I have no doubt we will be hearing more from him in the future.

This piese of fan artwork caught my attention. It's a Marathon poster by JustUntamed on r/marathon.

Marathon Poster #2 by JustUntamed on r/marathon. April 16, 2025.
Getting a strong Blade Runner 2049 vibe from this and reminds me of May 25, 2023.

Ah the memories...

Wednesday April 16, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #694.

WARNING: CORE OS (AF44+2DEB) MOD DATE LATER THAN CURRENT DATE/TIME

Collin Roth writes:

I'm new to the Marathon lore rabbit hole, but something I've noticed while digging into the cinematic trailer for Marathon 2025 is that despite Bungie making it pretty clear that the story takes place in 2893 (2893 is even on a lot of the marketing material that I've seen so far), the modeling info on Glitch clearly shows a different date.

Here's a link the video timestamp: https://youtu.be/fvbEnWLRo1s?t=98.

And here's a screenshot of what I'm talking about (I had to increase the quality of the video to 2160p to be able to see it clearly):

Text in case it's not very legible in the picture:
ELISA 9067
Version 34
Date 9.9.3405
I don't want to say this has big implications or anything, but it's a neat tidbit that Bungie may already be misleading us on the nature of the story. If the runners believe it's 2893, but they've been being printed for almost 500 years at this point, did something happen that's prevented new versions of human consciousness from being created to upload into these runners? Maybe this was just a mistake in the trailer (doubtful, but you never know).

Welcome to Bungie and Marathon dates.

Here's a full shot of the scene that Colin refers to.

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short. April 12, 2025.
And the text on her torso.

A mistake of something more?

Bungie worked closely with Spanish Director Alberto Mielgo and his team on the Cinematic Short. Joseph Cross (Art Director on Marathon) wrote on X.

Still on cloud 9 after our collaboration with Alberto Mielgo and in amazing team at https://x.com/pinkman_himself it was an absolute honor!

Bungie making mistakes with their dates is nothing new.

But this one feels like...

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short clip. April 12, 2025. Thanks Elliot.

Tuesday April 15, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #693.

Everything is not as it seems{}. seems{}. seems{}.

So my comment from a few days ago about Bungie using the incorrect Marathon attack date illicted a flood of emails ranging from...

Bungie can rite wat they want you ◽◽◽◽◽◽

to

Not My Marathon.

And in this quantum moment both polar opposites are not mutually exclusive.

Let me explain.

Benjamin Emmons Whitehall writes to point out that this isn't an attack by the Pfhor it's a meteor shower that hits the Marathon and the colony. However, he goes on to add that what we see happening to the Marathon might also be a well timed explosion to make it look like a meteor strike.

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short. April 12, 2025.

What's in the Box?

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short. April 12, 2025.

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short. April 12, 2025.
Sometimes the blindingly obvious has to be pointed out to you after 30 years of fighting the Pfhor.

OG Marathon Man by Colin C. circa 2012.
For some reason after the Marathon Announcement back in May 2023 I had the impression [misconception] that we were picking up after the Pfhor attack on the Marathon at Tau Ceti.

But this isn't a continuation of Marathon at Tau Ceti.

It is a complete retelling of Marathon at Tau Ceti.

In this retelling the Pfhor never attacked the Marathon.

The colony was never wiped out.

The Marathon's AIs Durandal, Leela and Tycho never left Tau Ceti.

The Marathon colony ship doesn't look like the Marathon colony ship because it is not your Marathon.

Was the Christopher Barrett timelime wiped clean? Phhht! Just like that.

UESC Evidence File. Christopher Barrett Director Deposition. May 24, 2023.

Screen capture from Marathon official announcement video. May 24, 2023.

UESC Evidence File. Christopher Barrett Director Deposition. May 24, 2023.
If so... then in the words of Cole Porter... Anything Goes.

Monday April 14, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #692.

What Am I doing Here?

When Marathon Infinity was released in 1996 it raised the bar in terms of in-game narrative.

Even today, some 30 years on, its meaning is still scrutinized and debated.

The adage goes... "no one can be told what Marathon Infinity is. You have to play it for yourself."

One thing (of many) that continues to perplex people is the flower image found on the first terminal of Eat the Path

Eat the Path is a 'dream level'. You are here because events on Hang Brain were playing out like the Marathon 2 level Begging For Mercy Makes Me Angry!.

Hang Brain is a déjà vu moment. You have done this before but in a different quantum reality. You now know that this quantum reality is also going to end in failure.

Tfear will deploy the trih xeem causing Lh'owon's sun to go nova releasing the galaxy destroying W'rkncacnter.

In Marathon Infinity parlance... wrefkddud.

Very good idea by Gopherofdoomies on r/marathon. April 30, 2021
Greg Kirkpatrick and Chris Geisel (Double Aught Software) confirmed this stating:

Yes, the player is jumping from a number of possible futures trying to find the path (eat the path) that will allow him to survive the cataclysm on Lh'owon, and unite him with 11th clan in a way that Durandal never could. How the player is able to do this jumping has to do with the unique interaction between Jjaro technology and sentient creatures.

The flower image on Eat the Path is labelled like the map of the Marathon level The Rose.

Indeed it is sometimes mistaken for a rose. Clearly floriculture is not a strong point for some of those who play a lot of computer games.

But what flower is it? Can it be identified? People have tried.

A few days ago Rexrover on the Marathon Discord wrote:

Apparently the underworld in greek mythology is associated with the flower Aphodel, sharing the same name as the fields within the underworld. imo this looks much more like the flower drawn.

Rexrover is referring to the Asphodel Meadows.

This is a section of the ancient Greek underworld where the majority of ordinary souls were sent to live after death.

In the ancient Greek epic poem the 'Odyssey' the Fields of Asphodel are located close to the Land of dreams.

Rexrover goes on to say that the text at the top "What Am I doing Here?" could be a reference as to why the player is stuck wandering through the fields of Asphodel.

BaudrillardBoy (renowned botanist) also on the Marathon Discord wrote:

The flower itself grows in clusters, not stalks with their own individual leaves like the picture. But the structure of the flower, color, number of petals, etc. are all spot on, and it wouldn't be the first time the Bungie Boys™ made a minor mistake

Actually that would the Double Aught Boys™ but I get the point.

Aphodel or not?

Soyjak Marathon courtesy of BaudrillardBoy. I just added the flower.

Sunday April 13, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #691.

Welcome to Bungie. Pre-Showcase Roaming Cam. April 12, 2025

Alpha Marathon Runners. Showcase. April 12, 2025

Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short. Video courtesy of Bungie.

UESC Marathon (Marathon Reveal Cinematic Short still). April 12, 2025.

Note that Bungie use the in-game date for the attack on the Marathon rather than the corrected version that Bungie made in the Lost Network Packets.

So much for 30 years of lore.

Saturday April 12, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #690.

My name is OZYMANDIAS, King of Kings.
Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair!
No thing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1817 (first published 1818).

Figures in a Landscape by TENDIENAUT on the Marathon Discord. April 9, 2025

Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase later today. 10.00 AM PDT (-7 UTC).

Don't bring any popcorn, it's going to be a roller coaster ride.

You know what happens when you eat popcorn on a roller coaster.

Expect some big surprises.

No... the

doesn't die!

Lessons applicable to the game: Move fast, seize the initiative, wield superior firepower, dive into the melee, anticipate enemy movements, slaughter the defenseless, endure.

That's from the first Marathon game.

Marathon Manual (Battle Damaged edition) page 22.
But then again nothing ever changes in battle.

Just ask the Persians... or the Nebulons.

Joseph Ziegler (@Ziegler_Dev), Marathon's Game Director, posted some pics of the set up for the live event at Bungie HQ.

Getting ready for Saturday posted by Joseph Ziegler on x.com. April 11, 2025.

Get the cameras rolling
Get the action going

For those who want to hear the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley in full this is perhaps the definitve narration by the American actor Vincent Price (May 27, 1911 - October 25, 1993).

Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Narrated by Vincent Price. Video courtesy of RedFrost Motivation.

Quick update...

And then there were three...

Joseph Cross (@josephacross) posts the third Runner in the panel spread for today's Showcase.

Great to have the full line out in high quality.

Friday April 11, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #689.

It's sketchy Friday!

We've got sketches.

First up...

Marathon furry by pugzysixtyfour (@pugzysixtyfour) on tumblr.

Marathon furry by pugzysixtyfour (@pugzysixtyfour) on tumblr. April 6, 2025
Back on May 4, 2024 I wrote:

Furries in Marathon?

Everybody loves furries... right? I mean all the great sci-fi works have furries. Star Wars, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, even Destiny has Tigerman... err...

If your game/website doesn't cater for furries then it is not reaching its widest marketing audience. Marketing 101.

And y'all laughed!

Why you laugh?
pugzysixtyfour also gave us another Marathon furry sketch.

Marathon furry by pugzysixtyfour (@pugzysixtyfour) on tumblr. February 19, 2025
No doubt this is in response to the removal of the Hound from the original game.

Now you see it... now you don't.

Staying on subject... as we do.

AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) gives us Battleroid Cat.

Battleroid Cat by AlexB209 on the Marathon Discord. April 4, 2025
Alex writes:

need this in the new game

Be careful what you wish for.

Bungie are listening.

Furries in Marathon?

Embrace your inner fur.

Happy sketchy Friday.

Stay sketchy.

Thursday April 10, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #688.

Thanks to Mythoclast (@Mythoclast_X) for posting this video of American science fiction writer Philip K. Dick giving a talk at a sci-fi convention in France, 1977.

The views expressed in the video feature throughout his works. You might find them disturbing (in different ways).

Philip K. Dick regularly appears in the top-ten best science fiction authors lists. His stories often deal with dystopian futures, corporate dominance, and existential questions.

He is probably best known for his novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which inspired the film Blade Runner.

Both works inspired the Marathon series.

If you were lucky to play the first game without knowing the story in advance then you would have ended the game with an existential question.

On the final terminal Leela tells us:

...nine military Mjolnir Mark IV cyborgs were covertly living among the colonists, and acting together they were able to single-handedly turn back the latter stages of the Pfhor assault.

But you know from the logs of Bernard Strauss that ten cyborgs were placed on board the Marathon.

Where is the tenth cyborg?

Am I a cyborg?

M1A1 End Screen by Jay Faircloth (aka anaphiel) at anaphiel.com.

Who... am I?

Who am I, really?

Like Deckard in Blade Runner this is your existential question.

There are little clues in the terminals that help you answer this question but they have to be found and pieced together.

It's the Marathon way!

In other news...

Since the Marathon ARG (2nd iternation) there has been a deluge of Marathon-inspired fan art. So much so it will be hard to keep up.

But here's a running start.

rythayze (@Rythayze) gives us his version of a UESC Runner doing his best Lh'owon chapter screen impression.

UESC Runner by rythayze (@Rythayze) on x.com. April 5, 2025
And yes that QR code works. Try it.

He also did two alternate versions... like you do.

UESC variants by rythayze (@Rythayze) left and right
The green variant reminds me of his iconic Mjolnir Recon 54 artwork entitled Flowers in Heaven.

Flowers in Heaven by rythayze (@Rythayze) left and right
One of my favorites. Reminds me of Jack Reacher (the real one).

Staying on a UESC theme... as we do.

AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) gives us this dynamic (V1 pose) shot.

UESC Runner by AlexB207 (@@AlexB207Swag) on x.com. April 5, 2025
A UESC Runner dukes it out with MIDA.

Sucks to be MIDA right?

" M I D A "

Are you wearing your MIDA T-Shirt (Strobe) inside out?

As you do.

Wednesday April 9, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #687.

Thanks to Bungie's Jon Goff (@Jonathan_Goff) for the shout-out!

Funny story.

So I am sitting with Jon Goff and Rob McLees on the balcony of a lounge in the W Bellevue overlooking Bungie HQ. It's a week before the Marathon Announcement and Jon is waxing lyrically about an invoice, carefully crafted to disguise a clue, and Rob is on my mobile reading the history of the Nar he wrote decades ago.

And I am like

It's how I remember it folks. But I am getting old.

The balcony...

W Bellevue.
Good times.

But I digress.

Curiouser and Curiouser...

The mystery of the missing UESC Press Release.

Yes, those people again.

Yesterday we featured the draft of a carefully crafted message for those about to embark for Tau Ceti on the Marathon by Marcus Tiberius Buendia (UESC president).

From the logs of Bernard Strauss:

Thank heaven, the ceremony is over. The UESC president came aboard Marathon and gave a speech. Short, but to the point. He was surrounded by his 'bodyguards'. How ironic. "This, the grandest technological achievement of all of mankind..." Had he only known that it carried also all of the destructive knowledge of mankind. Ten cyborgs. I'll be glad to be put in stasis for the next three hundred years. Marathon was the only good idea that the UESC has had in a long time.

The Marathon Manual (page 15) gives us more information about those onboard the Marathon.

The original crew of the Marathon consisted of 50 Senior Staff, 1150 Officers, and 24,000 civilians all of whom were citizens of the Mars Colony or Earth. Some individuals were placed in stasis for the interstellar journey, but most civilians lived and worked on the ship and raised families there. As the crew aged, a new generation of humans were born and raised on the Marathon.

When the UESC website (uesc.io) was first hacked using the R+A+G+E key sequence provided by MIDA it contained the following UESC Press Release:

The text read:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: United Earth Space Council (UESC) Press Office

UESC Announces the Launch of the Marathon Mission: A New Era of Human Exploration

[REDACTED] - The United Earth Space Council (UESC) is proud to announce the launch of the Marathon Mission, a groundbreaking initiative that marks a new era in human exploration and settlement beyond our solar system. This mission represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing human potential and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

The Genesis of the Marathon Mission:
In response to the growing challenges and opportunities presented by Earth's environmental and resource constraints, the UESC has spearheaded the Marathon Mission. This ambitious endeavor aims to establish a thriving human presence on Tau Ceti IV, a planet identified as a promising new frontier for human habitation.

A Unified Endeavor:
The success of the Marathon Mission is made possible through the collaboration of key partners, including Traxus Corp, Sekiguchi Genetics, and Nu Caloric. These organizations bring cutting-edge technology, advancements in human adaptability, and innovative nutrition solutions to support our journey. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Science Officer Bernard Strauss, the mission is poised to achieve its objectives and inspire future generations.

A New Beginning:
The Marathon Mission is more than a journey to a distant star; it is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. As we establish a foothold on Tau Ceti V, we carry with us the hopes and dreams of countless individuals who have contributed to this historic endeavor. Together, we will build a sustainable and cooperative community that reflects the best of human values. We will reach for the stars and embrace the limitless possibilities that await.

For more information about the Marathon Mission and how you can be a part of this historic journey, please visit our website at www.uesc.io

About UESC:
The United Earth Space Council (UESC) is dedicated to advancing human exploration and ensuring a sustainable future for all. Through innovative initiatives and collaborative partnerships, the UESC is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible and creating a brighter future for humanity.

**###

This press release is intended for informational purposes only. For further inquiries, please contact the UESC Press Office.

Shortly later it was... wiped out. Phhht! Just like that.

And replaced with...

And just as well since it used language that was considered too militaristic.

Also, "mission" is too military. Need to soften language when we can to maintain intended messaging. "Mission" is something given-a task, a chore. "Mission" may imply violence and subservience. "Project" is constructive, collaborative-"we are in this together," "what I achieve, we achieve."

The press release also refers to establishing " a foothold on Tau Ceti V " . Typo right?

There are many shores across Tau Ceti and while our target is Tau Ceti IV the image we want to paint is of an entire solar system we plan to conquer.

Go UESC.

Welcome to the Unified Earth Space Council, the preeminent governing body for human expansion into the stars. Our organization is dedicated to ensuring the continued success of humanity's foray into space through rigorous protocols. diplomacy, and peacekeeping actions.

Shoot to Kill. Roger that.
Which T-Shirt are you wearing?

Tuesday April 8, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #686.

Thanks to Bungie's Elliot Gray (@elliottgray) for the shout-out!

Elliot Gray (@elliottgray) on x.com. April 6, 2025.
Elliot is a UI (User Interface) Designer at Bungie working on Marathon and a long-time Marathon fan. Indeed he made a physics mod for Marathon 2 back in those heady days of 1995.

I had the pleasure of meeting him at Bungie back in May 2023 prior to the Marathon Announcement. A really nice guy.

As for these people...

While the Marathon ARG (2nd iteration) unleashed a wealth of new material one piece in particular caught my attention.

It's a UESC document entitled "Welcome_to_Marathon_draft003a.txt".

It is interesting because we get to see how a message to those departing on the UESC Marathon for Tau Ceti was carefully crafted by a series of edits.

Everybody does this but normally you never get to see the reasons why a change is made. It gives you insight into their thoughts and motivations.

Here's the draft text (white) with the edits requested (grey). The reason for each edit is given at the end.

***DRAFT***

A New Dawn for Humanity

Welcome to [the Marathon Mission]E1 Project: Marathon, a [bold and]E2 visionary endeavor that marks [a new]E3 the next chapter in humanity's journey [among]E4 to the stars. As you embark on this extraordinary adventure, we invite you to explore the rich history and purpose of the Marathon, a mission that embodies the spirit of exploration [, innovation, and hope]E5 and innovation that fuels our ambitions.

The Genesis of the Marathon:
Initiated by the Unified Earth Space Council (UESC), [the Marathon Mission]E1 Project: Marathon was conceived as a response to [conditions on Earth and Mars]E6 the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. With [both Earth and Mars]E7 Earth facing environmental and resource constraints, the UESC envisioned a future where humanity could thrive beyond the confines of our [solar system]E7 home planet[, leading to the commissioning of Project: Marathon]E8. Thus, Project: Marathon was born-a vessel of dreams, designed to carry the torch of human ambition to the distant shores of the Tau Ceti [IV]E9 solar system.

A Unified Endeavor:
[The Marathon Mission]E1 Project: Marathon is powered by the collective strength of our partners. Traxus OffWorld Industries, CyberAcme Systems, NuCaloric Agricultural, and more join forces to provide technology, adaptability, and sustainability for our journey. At the helm, Project Mission, Colony, Security, and Science Commands [are prepared to guide every segment of this grand endeavor with confidence and pride]E10 are decorated leaders in their fields and have prepared to deliver coordinated support for all contingencies, aided by the UESC Marathon and colony's dedicated families of [artificial]E11 support intelligences.

A New Beginning:
[The Marathon Mission]E1 Project: Marathon is more than a journey to a distant star; it is a new beginning for humanity. As we establish a foothold on Tau Ceti IV, we carry with us the hopes and dreams of generations past, and the promise of a brighter future for those yet to come. Together, we will build a thriving [community]E12 community that will grow into a brand new society guided by the principles of cooperation, [sustainability]E13 adaptability, and exploration.

Your Role in the Mission:
As a [new]E14 colonist, you are an integral part of this historic endeavor. Your experience, training, passions, and determination will help shape the future of our colony and ensure the success of [the Marathon Mission]E1 Project: Marathon. We are excited to have you join us on this incredible journey, as we reach for the stars and embrace the limitless possibilities that await. [Welcome [aboard]E15 to the UESC Marathon.]E16 Together, we will forge a new path for humanity, and create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.

With hope and determination,

[The Marathon Mission Team]E16

***DRAFT***

================================

EDIT 1 - Use official project name. Let them feel the weight of it. Also, "mission" is too military. Need to soften language when we can to maintain intended messaging. "Mission" is something given-a task, a chore. "Mission" may imply violence and subservience. "Project" is constructive, collaborative-"we are in this together," "what I achieve, we achieve."

EDIT 2 - Redundant. Simplify language.

EDIT 3 - "A new" feels like it is replacing the "chapter" that came before, and it is, but emotionally replacing the past creates tension between the audience and their view of the past and present. We are advancing our story, moving forward. Momentum matters, let's create some.

EDIT 4 - "Among" is too passive. "To" is active-more the momentum to propel us forward. It's a small thing, but language matters. The audience may not register how words affect them, but they do. It is our job to ensure we craft the intended effects to drive toward intended outcomes, and avoid the mundane as it has the habit of feeding apathy, or worse, discontent.

EDIT 5 - "Hope" will have its place, but it is too nebulous here. "Hope" is fleeting. "Ambition" is driving-a challenge to a person's will and ego. The word alone makes them consider their efforts and end games compared to others. It creates a sense of pride and competition-no one wants to be left behind because they lack ambition.

EDIT 6 - "Conditions on Earth and Mars" can be viewed as shifting blame to the reader. In the grand scheme the conditions are the fault of everyone but let's avoid phrasing that puts colonists on the defensive, no matter how unintentional. There will be enough emotions around this undertaking. It is our job as Public Relations liaisons to manage and guide our charges toward positive thought and action. "Conditions" is a word typically used in conjunction with problems (weather conditions, medical conditions, terms and conditions-all troubles inflicted upon a person with little recourse but wishing you could have avoided them), which can make the audience feel as though they are fleeing a situation or avoiding responsibility. Not an outlook we want to seed, ever and more so at this early stage. "Challenges and opportunities," on the other hand, empowers one to step up in the face of obstacles while offering the promise of new, forward-facing outcomes. People, especially pioneers, embrace challenge. People, especially optimists and futurists, embrace opportunity. We are providing both.

EDIT 7 - From management: "Paragraph 2, Line 3. Mention only Earth. We want to remind people-the colonists and any public eyes who may find this messaging-that our true home is Earth, not Mars. This is both a point of pride and a point of contention some in MilComm want to test. Tensions on Mars in the lead-up to the Marathon's completion and launch are beyond acceptable rates. MilComm wants to find points of 'gentle' nudging to see if the scales can be tipped and pressure can be increased if/when local trouble decides to escalate." I've included the note as provided, with no further comment.

EDIT 8 - Let's start to introduce some of the more flavorful wording here. Don't over do it, but here is where we should consider pushing our phrasing to have a bit more flow/poetry/color. Again, careful with how far we push it, but let's start to play with emotions like hope, wonder, dreams, etc. Not too overtly, just enough. I suggest reviewing draft files for Strauss's portion of the launch day ceremony. It's still in the works, but the man and his team know human nature and how to deliver a message. Avoid 1:1s, but similarities at the right cadence will have value.

EDIT 9 - Excellent update here overall, but let's up the scale to stick the landing of the dreams, flame and ambition you set forth. There are many shores across Tau Ceti and while our target is Tau Ceti IV the image we want to paint is of an entire solar system we plan to conquer. While none of our initial colonists will ever see worlds beyond TCIV, their ancestors will.

EDIT 10 - Jump back to clear, hard fact here. "Confidence" and "pride" are suggested in the scale of this Project and its goals-both stated and implied. Doesn't need to be cold. Instill "confidence" without including the word.

EDIT 11 - Of course, "artificial intelligence" remains the popular nomenclature for our support intelligences, but I feel this term is heading toward obsolescence and it is in our best interest to use language that suggests service over the baggage of the common usage. SciComm may not approve-they love their toys, so make the change for now and we can revert if needed.

EDIT 12 - Expanded beyond "community." A community is your neighborhood. Project: Marathon is claiming a new planet. Maybe something simple that expands community to society.

EDIT 13 - "Sustainability" was used in previous paragraph. Suggest: "adaptability."

EDIT 14 - Cut.

EDIT 15 - Yes, technically it is a ship, but more so it is a place-a moon and their home for ~300 years. Soften a bit.

EDIT 16 - Replace sign-off with first sentence of final line. Remove period from line so the sentence becomes a sign-off.

Now compare this with the message Marcus Tiberius Buendia, president of the Unified Earth Space Council, gave to the people of the Sol System on the eve of the launch of the UESC Marathon. (from the Marathon Manual page 2)

Marathon Manual signed by Jason Jones in 1995 courtesy of Steve Wood.

Mankind will venture out past its earthly bounds, and move into a future grander and more real than the total of its own written history.

This, the grandest achievement mankind has ever conceived will be for the purpose of peace and the preservation of the human race. May this great technological ark carry with it the sum total of all human wisdom, and may neither time nor distance weaken our common ties.

Very similar in style and message. Someone at Bungie did their homework.

And if you have read this far well done. Few people want to read these days.

But this is Marathon. Reading is required.

At The Library by captainkupo on tumblr. May 25, 2023.

Monday April 7, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #685.

You are number...

Marathon ARG (2nd iteration). Traxus DAC clients count. April 6, 2025.
So after 24+ hours of waiting to upload a DAC to the Traxus website MIDA came up with a solution early on Sunday morning.

A MASTER DAC.

MASTER DAC posted by we_are_mida (@WE_ARE_MIDA)
April 6, 2025. 9:11 AM GMT.
In truth you didn't need it because the good folks overseeing the ARG fixed the Traxus website so that it would accept any image file.

Marathon Discord. April 6, 2025. 1:18 PM GMT.
And so it began.

~~2000+ ball pics were sent to Bungie HQ.~~

Working with 2000+ Marathon fans trying to realign three satellites in the space of two minutes before it resets was nothing short of...

...well, let's just say I now know why it took ninety-two years to send a light-speed transmission from Tau Ceti to Sol.

If Marathon teaches us anything it is perseverance (aka Try again).

Hats off to all those that worked hard on this part of the Marathon ARG (2nd iteration).

In truth I don't think it was actually solved, in that there was no big 'AHA' moment.

The Traxus website just opened up spilling out its contents for all to see even as people continued to realign the satellites.

The DAC Debacle has forever been enshrined in a series of memes.

DAC mining by Akella on the Marathon Discord. April 5, 2025.

Need DAC by Akella on the Marathon Discord. April 5, 2025.
So what about all the unused DAC ?

Boxes Full of DAC by Dobledas (@sirdoubled.bsky.social) on Bluesky. April 5, 2025.

Quick update...

This is EXACTLY the way it was!

Waiting for recalibration... by Dobledas (@sirdoubled.bsky.social) on Bluesky. April 6, 2025.
Hats off to @sirdoubled.bsky.social.

Sunday April 6, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #684.

For those that have asked...

...Ozymandias is an A.I. in the Marathon Trilogy.

Just not the Marathon Trilogy you know.

The Marathon Trilogy by David Alexander Smith predates the Marathon Trilogy by Bungie.

The first book 'Marathon' was published in 1982 and the last book 'Homecoming' in 1990.

Bungie have never admitted to being influenced by David Alexander Smith's work even though both use the same title, both stories are about mankind's first contact with aliens and both feature AIs that begin to malfunction.

The AI Ozymandias features in the final book of the Marathon Trilogy 'Homecoming'.

This was pointed out by Ibrahim Halim back on May 30, 2004 and he quoted from the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1817 (first published 1818).

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings.
Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair!
No thing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

See the That Marathon Book section on the Story page for more details on the Marathon Trilogy by David Alexander Smith.

We featured David Alexander Smith's Marathon books again on May 24, 2023.

This didn't go unnoticed.

Marathon's Story page by Cortana.SQL (@CortanaV) on x.com. May 24, 2023.
But I digress.

Nice to see Jack Strider (@striderau.bsky.social) back doing Marathon art.

This piece is influenced by the Marathon ARG (2nd iteration) and the LONG wait to upload your DAC.

Marathon DAC by Jack Strider (‪@striderau.bsky.social) on Bluesky. April 5, 2025.
Jack describes his image as follows:

A lone runner stands in the abandoned hallways of New Cascadia, lit by the ambient tones of red and blue. Their synthetic glowing eyes are focused on an object held in their hand - a DAC Keycard, used by Traxus personnel to log into and maintain the orbital satellite network.

Here's a close up of his DAC.

Marathon DAC (closeup) by Jack Strider (‪@striderau.bsky.social) on Bluesky. April 5, 2025.
Jack writes:

I love the DAC access key designs and I felt so compelled to somehow smash out an artwork before the ARG starts back up again tonight/today. See you on Tau Ceti IV.

Inspired by the Marathon concept art recently posted by Joseph Cross (Art Director of Marathon)...

Marathon Runners concept art by Joseph Cross (@josephacross) on x.com. April 4, 2025.
...eva (@iso_didacta) gives us.

Marathon Runner by eva (@iso_didacta) on the Marathon Discord.. April 5, 2025.
Eva writes:

finally, next cosplay has been spotted.

Looking forward to seeing her cosplay.

Saturday April 5, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #683.

would become something of consequence: though it was nothing more than a simp~le tho`~~``f`~~~rticular flower, or more precise~. ~~hen she had it just so the room flickered and tore, bending into somewhere else

Sekiguchi Genetics opening screen. April 3, 2025.
Apart from the Marathon ARG (2nd iteration) today is Happy "Blood Tides of Lh'owon" Day.

It was on this day 29 years ago that Bungie updated their new website (3rd interation) with the actual name of the scenario that would come with Marathon Infinity.

We went back in time to dig it out.

Here's what Bungie's Marathon Infinity page looked like on April 5, 1996.

"Blood Tides of Lh'owon" was the scenario that Double Aught Software were contracted to make for Bungie.

According to the Marathon Scrapbook:

Alex Seropian asked Doug (Zartman) to come up with a title for the scenario: "...something cool, like 'Blood Tides of Lh'owon'." Doug came up with dozens of names, but none of them were quite as evocative as "Blood Tides of Lh'owon," so it stuck.

"Blood Tides of Lh'owon" would even feature on the back of the Marathon Infinity box.

Oddly it was described as a 20-level scenario.

You do the maths.

Whatever the number the scenario name never caught on and "Blood Tides of Lh'owon" became defacto Marathon Infinity.

Happy "Blood Tides of Lh'owon" Day.

Now back to the Marathon ARG (2nd iteration).

Friday April 4, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #682.

It's sketchy Friday!

We've got sketches.

MikeButNotReally (aka My name's not Mike) gives us this thought provoking Marathon Infinity sketch.

Marathon Infinity by MikeButNotReally on DeviantArt. November 25, 2023.
Well it is Marathon Infinity afterall so what else would it be but thought provoking.

The text comes from opening terminal on Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! where Durandal recounts Count Roland's attempts to break his sword 'Durandal' to avoid it being taken by the enemy.

Durandal uses this an analogy for his own past claiming he will never be purged a third time.

The image of the arms stretching out is from the Marathon Infinity prologue screen.

This was created Randy (ydnar) Reddig, a Marathon fan, who was now working for Double Aught Software who were creating the Marathon Infinity scenario "Blood Tides of Lh'owon' for Bungie.

A few years after the release of Marathon Infinity fans noticed a photograph of a sketch on Randy's homepage entitled "poseidon.gif" (see below).

Ever the opportunist Miguel Chavez contacted Randy Reddig about the Poseidon sketch which bore a striking resemblance to the Marathon Infinity Prologue screen.

Here is Randy's reply from February 24, 1999.

ok. there are a few things in that photo, which assumed (correctly) was taken with a quickcam. the keyboard is an old apple adjustable keyboard, which, imo, was the best keyboard for marathon ever made. you might note the original uesc marathon 1 sticker in the bottom right corner and the safety tape i had placed over the spacebar.

the poseidon drawing was pen and ink on a sketchpad. i worked on it mainly in my last year of calculus, a couple months or so. i lent the original to the kids at st. john's who handle the school newspaper/zine for the cover. it was marriot appreciation week (marriot handles the cafeteria there...they had a penchant for evil shrimp). they took it well.

alas, the original disappeared sometime before december 1995. it was the 2nd in a series; the first drawing hangs in my parents' house. that one was drawn in 1993 while backpacking around europe. perhaps i'll scan it sometime.

the inspiration for the drawing was hr giger's necronom iv. i had some interest in putting human arms on something so obviously not human. not unlike the hero in marathon.

You can see H.R. Giger's Necronom IV here.

In MikeButNotReally's sketch Mjolnir Recon 54 is taking no chances as a headless torso descends from the heavens.

I guess it was... waiting for him.

As for Randy (ydnar) Reddig?

Well he transcended our world and became an entrepreneur and investor.

He was part of the founding team at Square.

When not investing in or advising early-stage technology companies, he spends time with his family in the Sierra Nevada and New Zealand.

Considered to be the Double Aught Seven of Marathon world.

Randy Reddig and partner Lian. 2015.
And today's life lesson is...

...get the pfhuck out of games.

Happy sketchy Friday.

Stay sketchy.

Thursday April 3, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #681.

Marathon Classic HUD Tablet.

Marathon Classic HUD Tablet by Ashton J. Tayeb on ArtStation. March 2025.
This custom 3D modeled version of the Marathon Classic HUD Tablet is by Ashton J. Tayeb, a 3D artist specializing in Hard Surface Modeling using Blender.

Ashton hails from Melbourne, Australia and can be found on ArtStation.

To misquote Durandal.

I won't waste my time trying to explain the playing mechanism to you - your primitive mind could never grasp its complex nature.

See if you can work it out.

Here's the back view. Battery not included.

Marathon Classic HUD Tablet (back) by Ashton J. Tayeb on ArtStation. March 2025.
Check out those details.

Marathon Classic HUD Tablet (detail) by Ashton J. Tayeb on ArtStation. March 2025.
And that refection.

Marathon Classic HUD Tablet (detail) by Ashton J. Tayeb on ArtStation. March 2025.
Marathon on a tablet reminds me of that famous quote by Jason Jones back in early 1997 after he removed the serial number protection for the Marathon Trilogy release.

It's always bothered me that Marathon's public lifetime would be over when the last registration card or serial number list got lost. Hopefully this is the version that I'll be playing in fifty years under emulation on some fuckfast portable the thickness of a sheet of paper...

And hopefully it won't be running Windows.
Jason (March 17, 1997 4:39pm)

Nearly thirty years...

Wednesday April 2, 2025

This Day in Marathon.

Day #680.

Continuing our theme of celebrating Marathon art from around the world we give you...

Wang Ruiyang, a concept/visual designer on Artstation, from Pasadena in the United States.

Marathon style exploration by Wang Ruiyang on ArtStation. March 2025.
Wang writes:

Marathon style exploration

an attempt of doing marathon's art style, tried to minimize the surface structures and replace those with flat patterns.

Really liking the gun designs. One looks like a Fusion Pistol.

Apparently they can be intergrated.

Marathon Weapons by Wang Ruiyang on ArtStation. March 2025.
Here is an early concept sketch.

Marathon Weapons by Wang Ruiyang on ArtStation. March 2025.
I don't know how fast these guys can run.

Apparently you have to run fast in Marathon.

Marathon concept art. Marathon ViDoc. May 2023.
Then again Bungie did say...

The solution is a marathon, not a sprint.

...or something.

Perhaps the new Oath of the Vidmaster in Marathon will be like...

I pledge to punch all switches, to never shoot where I can use grenades, to admit the existence of no level except Total Carnage, to never use Caps Lock as my 'run' key, and to never, ever, run where I can walk.

I'm up for that!