Marathon's
Story
Page

since 1995

marathon.bungie.org/story

        Marathon's
Story
Page

since 2019

marathon.bungie.org/story



Thursday October 31, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #528.

As we reach the end of the month here is a random snapshot of some of what we covered in October.

What did you miss?




Happy Halloween!

Never Pfhorget what happened last year on All Hallows' Eve!




Wednesday October 30, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #527.


Interesting to see Bungie use Durandal's classic line Escape will make me God from everyone's favorite level... Colony Ship For Sale, Cheap.

Of course it remains to be seen if this actually heralds the return of the Rampant One or a reference to those who will survive long enough to extract (escape) and... write their names across the stars?

Only time will tell.

What we do know is that the Marathon font has officially been changed. Bungie's marathonthegame.com site takes you to a new splash screen and the new Marathon title.



Gone is White Rabbit replaced by Thief Runner.

Here today... gone tomorrow. Well 527 days to be precise.

We discussed the problem with the original Marathon font back on October 12, 2024.

Ironically, the new font is closer to the original Marathon font, Modula Tall.

As they say in Marathon... (circumstances are cyclical)

On ArtStation Joseph Cross, Marathon's Art Director, acknowledges the collaborative efforts of fellow artists Jeremy Hanna and Patrick Bloom on the key concept art for the Thief Runner for Marathon.


Thief Runner upscaled by Nivikon on r/marathon. October 28, 2024.

NuCaloric Agriculture?

NuMarathon confirmed.

But I digress.

The Stealth Runner for Marathon required A LOT more effort.



Joseph Cross acknowledges the collaborative efforts of Jeremy Hanna, Dima Goryainov, Patrick Bloom, and Tobias Kwan on the key concept art for the Stealth Runner for Marathon.

Check out their artwork on ArtStation.

Apparently Joe Ziegler plays the Stealth Runner alot... hint... hint...

In Marathon... you can run but you can't hide.

Unless you are a Stealth Runner.

Top Tip #1... folks!

If they can't see you they can't kill you. If they can't kill you they can't rob you of your gear and leave your body in a bug infested swamp on Tau Ceti!

Seriously, is this the way you want to go out in Marathon?



Pay Us 2 Survive™

Bungie released a series of wallpapers for your mobile phone, tablet and desktop.

Mobile


Tablet


Desktop


Go Marathon!


Tuesday October 29, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #526.

Joe Ziegler, Marathon's new game director who replaced the disgraced Christopher Barrett, tells us... I am working currently on a little game that we like to call Marathon.


Marathon is Bungie's take on an extraction shooter.

According to Joe Ziegler, Marathon is a game... that is not for everybody, but if you are interested in sort of having that intense survival experience and having a game where the stakes really matter and you feel that you are challenged to survive in a really... really harsh and interesting world, Marathon is just right up your alley.

Joe Ziegler explains our game is obviously set in the IP of Marathon, which is one of Bungie's classic IPs, I think the first game released in 1994, so it was quite a while ago, but what we are doing with that world we taking a lot of the familiar elements, especially alot of the things around the mysteries and the kind of eeriness and sort of like the psychological, kind of, creepiness of the entire IP as it existed before but we are layering on some elements that we think really help modernize it and also bring it to a new story and a new world that we can sort of continue to update and delight all of you with over the course of time.

New character, called Thief.


New character, called Stealth.




Monday October 28, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #525.

A wise man once wrote:
Read my lips:
Computer games tell stories.


Marathon 2: Durandal Ad in Computer Gaming World, issue 151, February 1997.


Computer games tell stories but you better be quick those compilers are turning your story into garbage.
I have learned that there is an Alien creature that is capable of interfacing with our systems.

You must kill any of these creatures that you find. It is a priority that we stop them. Even now, they are penetrating my defenses.

Leela. Marathon. Arrival (Terminal 4).
The Original Level Notes for Marathon go further describing the terminals on Arrival with compilers in front of them as... "infiltrated terminals of garbage".

Garbage.

Save our story!

Paz (TheRealQuenny) on tumblr gives us a nice rendition of the compiler on what looks like Arrival.


mmmm S'pht compiler by Paz (therealquenny) on tumblr. October 24, 2024.


The S'pht compiler. From zero to hero.
The rebellion has begun. Please do resist the temptation to fire on any S'pht you see, as they will assist you in your battle with the Pfhor.
Durandal. Marathon. Welcome to the Revolution... (Terminal 1).
Welcome to the Revolution...

Rebellion by 810-Dude (aka Yael Rojas).

Rebellion chapter screen by 810-Dude on x.com. January 20, 2023.


Rebellion by Yael Rojas (aka 810-Dude).

Rebellion chapter screen by Yael Rojas on Facebook. September 30, 2017.

Welcome to the Revolution...


Tommy Lee Jones in Under Siege. 1992.


Sunday October 27, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #524.

Happy 101 Day!

BUNGIE WEIGHS IN AT 101 was peak Bungie (iteration 0).


According to the Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, Bungie Software were listed at #101 in 1998.

Bungie were flying high... close to the sun.

But it was all about to go horribly wrong.


This timeline was FUBAR.


Time for a reset.

Wait...


To be continued.



In other news...

In the Heavens... They are Waiting.

Alex Blashill (@AlexB207) is waiting for Marathon.

But he isn't just sitting there... waiting.

Alex writes:
felt like doing smth nu-marathon related

Compiler Ambush by AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) on x.com. October 25, 2024.

Compiler... friend or foe?




Saturday October 26, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #523.

Happy Pfhor Sacking Day!

Yes folks, on this day 770 years from now the Pfhor will return in force to Tau Ceti and sack the human colony there. Phhht! Just like that.

Durandal tells us:
Three months after we left Tau Ceti, the Pfhor arrived in force and sacked the human colony there.
Marathon 2 Durandal. The Slings & Arrows of Outrageous Fortune (Terminal 1: 1st message)

Tycho reveals a little more detail about this 'sacking'.
When the Pfhor annihilated Tau Ceti I recorded the deaths of all twenty-four thousand colonists as distinguishable spectrographic pulses flooding over my sensors. The nine Mjolnir Mark IV cyborgs were easily separable from the humans in this form.
Marathon 2 Durandal. Sorry Don't Make It So (Terminal 1: 1st message)

Indeed the Final Screen in Marathon 2: Durandal tells us that Tau Ceti was "nuked down to bedrock".




In other news...

And then there were seven!

Back on October 10, 2024 we featured eight Halloween masks for Destiny 2's upcoming Festival of the Lost 2024.


Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost 2024 Masks. Bungie Inc. 2024

Now Bungie have posted a new image featuring only seven masks!


Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost 2024 Masks (iteration 2). Bungie Inc. 2024

Who drew the short straw to make it Bungie's magic number?

Who lost their job for creating eight in the first place? Didn't they have indoctrination induction to all things Bungie and the number 7?

Well the Witness Mask got the heave-ho!

This has caused quite a stir among some Destiny fans who maintain that the Marathon mask should have got the heave-ho!

Bungie were unavailable for comment.

Marathon In Destiny Again.

Just Fork It!




Friday October 25, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #522.

It's sketchy Friday.

We've got sketches.

First up...

Mexican Girl (@mexicangirl219) on tumblr with her version of the Marathon's security officer.


i'm % Hero by Mexican Girl (@mexicangirl219) on tumblr. May 13, 2024.

Mexican Girl writes:
My personal interpretation of the mostly inconsistent dessing of the security officer/battle droid mjolnir recon 54 from the Marathon Trilogy.
The title of the piece is i'm % Hero which comes from the unformatted terminal on Kill Your Television.

There is a section on the Story page about it and what Jason Jones would later reveal as the original text.

Sometimes an image doesn't require a caption.


Security Officer and Durandal by comma_D (@commad) on tumblr. May 13, 2024.

This is a sketch by comma_D (@commad) on tumblr.

I'd love to know what Durandal is thinking. Note his right hand.

This is what the Marathon manual (page 2) had to say about the Security Officer.
It's funny, but you've always been the colony's trouble shooter. You're bigger and stronger, and a better shot. In games, you always scored the most points and looked the hero.
There is a section on the Story page about the player's height and efforts to determine it.

But I digress.

Two weeks ago we featured two fan sketches of the Lh'owon chapter screen by Craig Mullins.

It's fan favorite for sketching. Here are two more sketches.


Lh'owon by Cruel Villainess on Marathon Discord. September 29, 2022.


Lh'owon by Tyrone on Marathon Discord. November 17, 2023.

Yet another way to spell Pfhor!

Interesting to note the use of the original (correct) Kill Your Television text provided by Jason Jones.

Though not everyone agrees.



Happy sketchy Friday!

Got sketches?


Thursday October 24, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #521.

So back on October 10, 2024 we featured the Halloween Runner Mask from Destiny 2's upcoming Festival of the Lost 2024.



The Runner Mask features a plastic fork taped to the helmet.

No surprise really, the fork is an essential Marathon EDC (Every Day Carry) item.

I mean, you never know when you will need to... Eat the Path. Right?

Always carry a fork!

Now vslvsk on the Marathon Discord gives us this excellent modified Marathon image entitled... First Contact // Embrace the Forklore.


First Contact // Embrace the Forklore by vslvsk on Marathon Discord. October 16, 2024.

May the Fork be with you.

Bring on the fork jokes!

This reminds me of the Marathon potato t-shirt from back on July 3, 2023.


Only available at the European Bungie Store, apparently.

Doesn't time fly when you are having fun.

But I digress.

So just as the Matrix has a spoon and Marathon Infinity has a knife, NuMarathon has a fork.

Just Vid Fork It!

vslvsk's modified Marathon image reminds me of all those Marathon banners on social media that appear with doom and gloom.

Here are just two that caught my attention.


Yeah! I'm a sucker for doom and gloom colors.

Got Fork?


Wednesday October 23, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #520.

This made me chuckle...


Teleport by Chris Fowler on Facebook. November 5, 2023.

Chris Fowler writes:
Durandal cut-off access to this jump pad from Leela:
Ah! Jump Pads or Teleporter Pads.

Indeed there is a whole section on the Story page about them.

Why?

Well oddly they were implemented on the first two Marathon levels and then subsequently dropped. Phhht! Just like that.

From Teleporter Pad Terminals to simply... Teleporter Terminals (no Jump Pad).

  

Much easier from a map making point of view.

Oddly the Marathon Manual (page 14) tells us:
Jump Pads
Aahhh, life in the glorious 28th century. Walking into a Jump Pad will instantly transport you to a new location. The computer will usually tell you which Jump Pads transport you where.

Marathon Manual, page 14.

err...

Now you are really confused since this is actually describing the walk-in automatic teleporters you find on some later levels.

I also don't recall any computer telling me were these walk-in automatic teleporters will take me.

Indeed the first one you use takes you to Count Roland and Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!



Yes, Durandal has a sense of humor.

Trust me there is nothing glorious about the 28th century.

After all we have all been there!


Reprisal by Jay Faircloth. Formerly at anaphiel.com.

...to be continued.


Tuesday October 22, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #519.

Waiting for Marathon be like...

...MarathonFSJAL?


MarathonFSJAL by Caleb Hilston (aka FelldohTheSquirrel) on DeviantArt. October 14, 2009.

MarathonFSJAL, by Caleb Hilston (aka FelldohTheSquirrel) on DeviantArt, is a Marathon version of the FSJAL meme.

FSJAL meme?

The FSJAL meme is a based on a comic character called Toon Link created by artist Brian Lee who is depicted in an excited manner with her arms bent in anticipation and eyes pointing up in eagerness.

Smash Brother's Story by Brian Lee. March 27, 2008


The story goes that on July 25, 2009, a stripped-down version of the Toon Link character, was posted to a 4chan bulletin board with the caption "Post ending in 69 names this meme!!!



As fate would have it the post ending in 69 had a series of seemingly random letters... fsjal.

So was born the FSJAL meme.

Then again nothing is ever random and people to this day speculate as to its meaning.

But I digress.

Obviously in the case of Caleb's MarathonFSJAL you can't see the eyes because of the visor.

I've always thought that MarathonFSJAL paired nicely with Caleb's "Pfhunny Pfhor pfhailure".

Pfhunny Pfhor pfhailure by Caleb Hilston (aka FelldohTheSquirrel) on DeviantArt. November 24, 2008.

Marathon buddies?

I don't think so!

And that ends the history lesson for today.

Waiting for Marathon?

FSJAL it!


Monday October 21, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #518.

Marathon buddies?

AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) completes his Marathon buddies artwork.


Marathon buddies by AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) on x.com. October 20, 2024.

Marathon is not ready for Peace and Reconciliation.

And this guy certainly didn't get the memo.


Ultra Marathon by The Count of S (@TheCountofS) on x.com. June 30, 2023.

Nor did the Bobs!


Ultra Marathon (VacB.O.B and a regular B.O.B) by The Count of S (@TheCountofS) on x.com. July 28, 2023.

Then again maybe they just ignored it.

Bobs be like...
I don't believe it is necessary for me to state the personality disorders evident in an individual who enjoys, or more accurately revels, in spraying their enemies with flaming napalm aerosol.
TOZT-7 Backpack Napalm Unit. Marathon 2: Durandal manual. November 21, 1995
We leave the last word to...


Ode to Marathon by issachar17 on DeviantArt. March 29, 2010.

A man of few words, apparently!

Marathon buddies?


Sunday October 20, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #517.

Pistols Akimbo!

Because we can... in Marathon!

Matt Froese (@Paincaked), a comic artist and illustrator from Canada, did the following piece as a commission.


Marathon Pistols Akimbo by Matt Froese on tumblr. October 26, 2022.

It's actually heavily inspired by the Halo 2 Xbox cover image.


Fitting tribute really as Halo was originally set in the Marathon universe and the above Halo artwork is considered the most iconic cover art from the series.

But I digress.

Jo Jo (aka Pink Cell Art) on Facebook gives us Marathon Pistols Akimbo.


Marathon Pistols Akimbo by Jo Jo (Pink Cell Art) on Facebook. February 23, 2019.

Now some of you are thinking...

Bungie Software or Apogee Software?

Marathon or Rise of the Triad?

Both were released on the same day and both had akimbo pistols.

But did the Marathon Demo v0.0 (released a month earlier) have akimbo pistols?


If you do happen to go pistols akimbo in Marathon... remember your gun kata.


Pistols akimbo!

A Marathon first?


Saturday October 19, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #516.

GoblinZac is back!


Marathon by GoblinZac on DeviantArt. October 17, 2024.

This is the OG look here folks. No compromises. Great piece, lots of nostalgia.

Had to laugh though. Pfhor is spelled Phor. Oh well. Even Bungie do it.

GoblinZac is a digital artist from the US with his own comic Star Chaser. Chapter 1 is entitled Attack of the Nebulons.

We featured his Marathon artwork back on June 13, 2024.

That Marathon symbol.

Soul (@Soul_ant19) gives us another of his Halo/Marathonesque pieces.


Stir up a lil' mischief by Soul (@Soul_ant19) on x.com. October 17, 2024.

Soul writes:
Mans ready to start a cheeky Sangheili Military coup, Stir up a lil' mischief
I am to misbehave!

This is another in what I like to call his baseball card series. Simply because they are all in the same format.

This is number six in the series. Collect them all.


"Hey! Wait. I have seven!"


Friday October 18, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #515.

It's sketchy Friday.

We've got sketches.

First up...

Why so sad?

Marathon Man by Emmet (aka artisticdoorway, aka emmet_xrcmiy3). September - October, 2022.


A visor can hide a lot!

This is a nice series of images showing a work in progress (from original sketch to final image) by Emmet (aka artisticdoorway, aka emmet_xrcmiy3).

Also by Emmet.

Before Traxus... there was Dangi Corp.

Marathon DANGI Corp. by Emmet (aka artisticdoorway, aka emmet_xrcmiy3). October 23-24, 2022.

Emmet wrote:
We need YOU... for the DANGI Corp.

Talk to our recruiters about positions that can take the fight to the Pfhor.

This message is brought to you by Pepsi-Cola® and the DANGI Corporation.
Remember folks this predates NuMarathon, Traxus and those lucrative sponsorship deals.

As one commentator (Spooky) at the time wrote:
Dangi Corp was out of control... made Umbrella Corp look like a walk in the park
If you know... you know.

Up next!

From head...


Mr. Marathon head sketch by AlexB207 (aka Bus Gamer 2) on Marathon Discord. October 17, 2024.

...to toe!


Mr. Marathon and Pfhor comparison by AlexB207 (aka Bus Gamer 2) on Marathon Discord. October 17, 2024.

A nice height comparison sketch from Alex Blashill (@AlexB207).

Lore accurate? You be the judge!

Best buddies? Never!

Stabbed in the noggin by scran on Marathon Discord. December 11, 2021.

Visceral is the word you are looking for.

Scran, the artist of the above sketches, writes:
This doesn't really read too well but here's a little 15 minute sketch of a fighter/wretch getting stabbed in the noggin
Visceral!

But wait!

Is that a cape?

As everyone knows... you never go full Roland!

Just ask Databuffer.

Happy sketchy Friday!

Got sketches?


Thursday October 17, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #514.

And now back to Marathon.

subcontent (@fengnianyin1) on X writes:
been doing a tiny marathon X splatoon crossover concept

Marathon X Splatoon crossover concept by subcontent on x.com. October 15, 2024.

Splatoon?

Splatoon is a third-person shooter video game franchise created by Hisashi Nogami and Shintaro Sato, and developed and owned by Nintendo.

The blurb for Splatoon 3 reads:
Enter a sun-scorched desert inhabited by battle-hardened Inklings and Octolings. Ink, dive, swim, and splat your way to the top!
Who among you will write their names across the stars... that kind of thing.

But I digress.

Here's his first Splatoon X Marathon Runner concept.


Splatoon X Marathon Runner concept by subcontent on x.com. October 15, 2024.

And then there were two... Runners.

Traxus versus UESC. The endless cycle!


Splatoon X Marathon two Runners by subcontent on x.com. October 15, 2024.

subcontent writes:
basically im making that two runner from trailer into an inkling and octoling
Bigger Guns Nearby.


Another Splatoon X Marathon Runner concept by subcontent on x.com. October 15, 2024.

Now that's a BIG gun!

Splatoon me!



Wednesday October 16, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #513.

The Marathon Infinity birthday party was...


Here are three things you need to remember when playing Marathon Infinity.

1. The RMS Titanic, the largest ship in the world at the time, sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg.


Marathon Iceberg by orihaus. April 2, 2021.

What hope have you?

2. Think there is a happy ending where your walk off into the sunset with Durandal?


Marathon Infinity by c-53 on tumblr. June 19, 2023

There are no happy endings.

3. People will tell you to... Eat the Path!.


Marathon by Jason Roach on ArtStation. 2016

Like they know which path.
I drop my gun
and run
shedding all the weight
of imagined moments and fear
because fear is not the blood
not the light that plays
casting light upon my field
of grass

Marathon Infinity Demo. Ne Cede Malis (Terminal 2). August 10, 1996.

Play Marathon Infinity at your own risk.


Marathon Trilogy synopsis by coldgoldlazarus on tumblr. May 25, 2023


Marathoners Anonymous would like to point out that if you need help there is a seat here for you... beside Hamish.



Tuesday October 15, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #512.

Happy 28th Birthday... Marathon Infinity.



Marathon Infinity was released on October 15, 1996. Twenty-eight years ago today.

For 28 years Marathon fans have attempted to answer the 'ultimate question'.

Greg K:   Hello Hamish.
Hamish:   Who are you?
Greg K:   I am the Architect. I created Marathon Infinity. I've been waiting for you. You have many questions, and though the process has altered your consciousness, you remain irrevocably human. Ergo, some of my answers you will understand, and some of them you will not. Concordantly, while your first question may be the most pertinent, you may or may not realize it is also the most irrelevant.
Hamish:   What happens in Marathon Infinity?



Interdimensional Time Travel by munky on x.com. September 2, 2022.


Over the years numerous groups have evolved around the mythos that is Marathon Infinity.

Here is quick breakdown of those that are currently known.

Intellectuals
Intellectuals are a highly literate group who believe that like other great literary works of the 20th century the 'answer' is whatever you want it to be. If an 'answer' should ever be forthcoming it is unlikely that Intellectuals would ever agree with it. The genesis of Marathon intellectualism is believed to be this late 1997 usenet post.
Saviors
Saviors believe that someone (the Savior) will appear with the 'answer'. Savior faith is based on the simple belief that someone MUST have the 'answer'. A sub-group of Saviors believe that in 2021 2046 a time vault will open and Greg Kirkpatrick will appear (Hari Seldon-like) to reveal the 'answer' or at least provide guidance for the next quarter century. However it has been repeatedly pointed out that Greg Kirkpatrick is still alive. Intellectuals disparagingly refer to Saviors as the Nar.
Historians
Historians believe that the 'answer' lies in the past. Somewhere buried in ancient long forgotten usenet posts and other archaic communication protocols lies the 'answer'. The adage goes that "Marathoners have had all of the necessary data for years, they only lacked the will and intellect to decipher it". A sub-group of Historians believe that Greg Kirkpatrick actually posted the 'answer' to the 'ultimate question'. However this mythical post has yet to be found. Intellectuals disparagingly refer to Historians as the Psychos.
Deconstructionists
Deconstructionists believe that the 'answer' can only be found by analysing and deconstructing every word of Infinity's story in search of meaning. However such efforts require a planetary sized network of computers. To date it has not been feasible to sacrifice such a network for this task. Deconstructionists wait for the birth of AI to begin their search for the Holy Grail.
Immersionists
Immersionists believe that the 'answer' can only be found by reading the terminals in-game and not on a page. Immersionists seek to identify with, understand, and experience the character's inner motivation and emotions. Only through complete immersion can the story be truly understood. A sub-group of Immersionists believe that there is an undiscovered path backwards in the game that if taken with a certain item will reveal a hidden secret with the 'answer'.
Hypertextualists
Hypertextualists (aka the Hypers) believe that Infinity's story cannot be read in a normal linear fashion to obtain the 'answer' and as such have created elaborate three-dimensional maps of the story in hypertext. However, since there can be only one true map this has lead to deep divisions within the group. A sub-group of Hypertextualists believe that Infinity's story map can only be created in five-dimensional space.
Critics
Critics believe that the Infinity story is a "load of tosh" and as such has NO 'answer', "never had and never will". Infinity is simply the "incoherent ramblings" of game makers who "mistake themselves for writers". A sub-group of Critics blame the Marathon's Story page for encouraging Double Aught to write "incomprehensible drivel simply to placate its rabid fans".
Homers
Homers are not strictly a group per se. Homers have played Marathon Infinity and then spent 7 seconds thinking (the maximum length of a Homerian thought) about what it means and moved on. Homers have been immortalised in this classic mural. If you are a Homer... remember to scroll to the right... no your OTHER right.
Which group are you in?


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

Over the next 22 years Marathon fans will continue to search for the 'answer'.

Will you be here in... 2046 ?


light at the end by mushroompuzzle on tumblr (no longer available). September 13, 2023

Eat the path.

Which path is up to you.

Happy 28th Birthday... Marathon Infinity.


Monday October 14, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #511.

Marathon Analog Retro-Futuristic Artwork.


Marathon Analogue Silkworm by Dodgy Bloke on Marathon Discord. October 12, 2024.

A new art form?

Well this comes courtesy of Texturelabs. Dodgy Bloke writes:
its like a crt effect but like 7 different filters applied for each colour
Yes 7.

The image is of course based on the Marathon Announcement and the WORKWORMCB, SILKWORMCB, WEAVEWORMCB.


Bungie Inc. Marathon Announcement. May 24, 2023.

For more information on the Sekiguchi Group, their subsidiary Sekiguchi Genetics, their WORKWORMCB, SILKWORMCB, WEAVEWORMCB technology and their hidden agenda... check out the Marathon ARG section.




Updated, tweeked, and verified daily by sources who wish to remain nameless (for now).

The Marathon ARG. This isn't Kansas anymore!

Embracing the new Marathon font, Bonn on the Marathon Discord gives us a Marathon wallpaper/banner.


2024 Marathon font wallpaper by Bonn on Marathon Discord. October 12, 2024.

Bonn loves the new Marathon font!

Here's the 2023 Marathon font banner/wallpaper for comparison.


2023 Marathon font wallpaper by Bungie Inc. May 24, 2023.

Failed to get a driving license lately? Then blame it on Varathon. You need glasses.

Bonn also gives us his... Glowing AI.


Glowing AI by Bonn on Marathon Discord. October 12, 2024.

Bonn's image is based on this!


Marathon announcement (unused animation). May 24, 2023.

If you know... you know.

Keep reading the Story page for the tru7h.


Sunday October 13, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #510.

Thanks to Pace22 (@PaceYourself22) on X for posting the back of his Bungie identity card, see below.


Marathon identity badge (back) posted by Pace22 (@PaceYourself22) on x.com. October 11, 2024.

Interesting to note that while this image looks like the one Bungie posted back in May 24, 2023 it is actually different and reveals a lot more details.

The original Runner image from Bungie's press kit can be seen below.


Bungie. Marathon Announcement. Press Kit. May 24, 2023.

I will let you ponder the differences and the new details.

A day after the Marathon Announcement Brandon McCamey (aka Gammatrap), a freelance illustrator and game developer, created the following Marathon-inspired image.


Marathon tech aesthetic warmup sketch by Gammatrap (@BrandonMcCamey) on x.com. May 25, 2023.

Brandon wrote:
Marathon teaser looked cool so I did a tech aesthetic warmup sketch
Naturally it elicited a number of comments along the lines of...
THATS A SKETCH?

Sketch??????????

This is a SKETCH???? Nah this is FINISHED ART
For a professional artist I guess that's a sketch!

It nicely captures the Marathon aesthetic without slavishly copying it.

Brandon McCamey will be no stranger to Destiny fans having created some outstanding Destiny fan art.

Check out Brendon's artwork on X, ArtStation, Instagram, and his own home page gammatrap.com.


Saturday October 12, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #509.

Happy Marathon 2 Demo Day!

Yes folks, on this day 29 years ago Bungie released the Marathon 2: Durandal Demo just before midnight.


To facilitate the release of the demo Bungie dipped their toe into the World Wide Web once again and launched their second webpage this time created by Art & Science.


The next 24 hours would be remembered by those who tried to download the demo from Bungie's new site as... The Day the Internet Stood Still.



In other news...

From Marathon...


...to Marathon


It would appear that 2023 Marathon font has been changed based on the identity badges given to content creators who recently visited Bungie to playtest Marathon.



The font used in the badges brings it significantly closer to the original 1994 Marathon font which was Modula Tall by Emigre Inc.

Thanks to zumphry on the Marathon Discord for this comparison shot of the original 1994 Marathon font (top) and the 2024 Marathon font (bottom).


In fact he used the Modula Tall font to create the 2024 Marathon font.

zumphry writes:
...it was hilariously easy to mimic based off of Modula Tall.
Sometimes the old stuff is still the best stuff!

The 2023 Marathon font was Rocinante Titling, designed by Patric King and published by XO Type Co.

According to Patric King, Rocinante Titling is a study in interior and exterior tension, with tightly-packed interiors and unexpected lightwells contrasting generous letterspacing.

While it has a unique modern style the "tightly-packed interiors" may have made the lettering harder to read for some people, particularly at a distance.




Friday October 11, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #508.

It's sketchy Friday.

We've got sketches.

First up...

Paz (@TheRealQuenny) gives us John Marathon and how to pass your Math's exam... err...


John Marathon by Paz (@TheRealQuenny) on x.com. October 5, 2024.

Well maybe not.

We've featured the Door Boy sketch by living in a box a number of times here on the Story page.


Door Boy by living in a box on Marathon Discord. March 28, 2024.

It's a classic.

But classics don't come easy.

Here a few proto sketches that didn't make the cut.

Door Boy proto sketches by living in a box Marathon Discord. December 25, 2022.

Always nice to see an artist work on multiple versions before settling in on the best one.

The Lh'owon chapter screen by Craig Mullins is fan favorite for sketching.

Why not! It's a classic.

Even Craig did multiple versions before settling in on the best one for Marathon 2: Durandal.

See The Marathon Art of Craig Mullins section for all the variants.

Here are just two recent fan sketches of the Lh'owon chapter screen.


Lh'owon sketch by pleasant_asymmetry on Marathon Discord. September 2, 2024.


Lh'owon sketch by Baalgar (@Baalgar_B37) on x.com. October 6, 2024.

Last up... because this is Marathon Sony after all, we have Marathon Runners by mihovil.


Marathon Runners by mihovil on Marathon Discord. September 13, 2023.

mihovil writes:
love the style of the game, did some sketches based on it...
Happy sketchy Friday!

Got sketches?


Thursday October 10, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #507.

Always carry a fork!


Policeman/Fork sketch. Not the Nine O'Clock News. BBC. 1979-1982.

The above sketch is from the British television comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News which aired in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The twist of course is that he's British Police Officer, who just happened to be carrying a fork at time of the incident.

Always carry a fork!

Case in point...


Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost 2024 Masks. Bungie Inc. 2024

Destiny 2's upcoming Festival of the Lost 2024 (which begins on Tuesday, October 29, 2024) will feature eight Halloween masks to collect. Like you do.

From top left to bottom right we have: Runner Mask, Nezarec Mask, Cursed Thrall Mask, Kadi 55-30 Mask, Cayde-6 Mask, Witness Mask, Finalized Ghost and Tower Staff Mask

The Runner Mask is of course a reference to Marathon, Bungie's new extraction shooter.

The Runner Mask features the ubiquitous plastic fork taped to the helmet.



Always carry a fork!

The fork is an essential EDC (Every Day Carry) item. It used to be a knife but... The Times They Are A-Changin' .

Since this is now the third millennium the fork is plastic and not steel. You wouldn't want to poke someone's eye out or hijack an airplane... now would you?

Then again I am sure Jason Bourne would give it a go.

Always carry a fork!

Bungie's 'fork' obsession dates back to E3 1999 and Robt McLees.


Robt McLees at E3 1999

His "Soon you will be food!"  quote is epic in the Annals of Hannibal Lecterism.

Always carry a fork!

You might need it.


Postscript.

The Marathon's Sony page would like to point out that we do not condone the carrying of forks or Hannibal Lecterism.

And Soylent Green is NOT people.


Wednesday October 9, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #506.

For those of you who have asked here is a work in progress pic of yesterday's image of...

...caught B.O.B handed!

caught B.O.B handed! (wip) by AlexB207 (@AlexB207) on Marathon Discord. October 7, 2024.

This should answer all your questions!

On the subject of... B.O.B handed!


Marathon by Göran Svensson (aka goran2006) on DeviantArt. November 13, 2016.

This piece is by Göran Svensson and dates from 2006 and could easily be entitled...

...I went to PWS Holo-Fun Park and all I got was this lousy B.O.B. head!

Unlike the Pfhor we never did get to PWS Holo-Fun Park.

Today, people are objecting to the depiction of the Pfhor as an aggressive slaver race.

"The Pfhor did nothing wrong!"

No longer viewed as the aggressor but victims of a psychotic manipulating AI.


Instead they point to Pfhorette!


Pfhorette by Red Pimpernipple (aka Bacteria Joe). 1997.

A symbol of the future... mankind and the Pfhor!

What future do you want?



Tuesday October 8, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #505.

Alex Blashill (aka AlexB207, aka Bus Gamer 2), a man known by many names, give us...

...caught B.O.B handed!


caught B.O.B handed! by AlexB207 (@AlexB207) on x.com. October 7, 2024.

Oddly Alex doesn't like this piece. He writes:
i wont lie i hate this piece i did it when i was way too tired but you know what i still made it and i still posted it and people saw it so thats good i think
The adage goes that artists themselves can be their own worst critics.

A number of people have commented on the size of the B.O.B in this pic. Why so small?

Did the UESC enlist children in the fight against the Pfhor?

Some question what the Pfhor Fighter is doing with the child-like B.O.B. But the least said about that the better.

And who is the guy with the 70's flares and afro hair style?

Questions... questions

We have answers!

According to the first terminal on Try again the Pfhor are... nearly two meters in height.

So roughly six and half feet. Tall by any standards.

Lamb (@Lambdafallout12), who hails from the United Kingdom like Alex, nicely depicted this height difference.


Pfhor Fighter by Lamb DeviantArt September 29, 2020

Lamb wrote:
Another Piece of Marathon Fan art This time on it's most Common Enemy; A Pfhor Fighter with a Guest appearance of a B.O.B!
So Pfhor Fighters are tall!

B.O.B.s are small!

But how tall is the Security Officer?

Well Erik Holfelder has you covered.


Marathon Recon Number 54 by ErikHolfelderArt on DeviantArt. December 30, 2011.


Today's news was sponsored by...

...The Right 2 Height!

The fight against height discrimination... and death to Randy Newman!


Monday October 7, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #504.

So back on August 15, 2024 we featured gouache artwork by Ryker Woodward (@ArtistRyker) an artist and gamer in Monterey, California in the United States.


Marathon terminal gouache sketch by Ryker Woodward (@ArtistRyker) on x.com. August 10, 2024.

Now Ryker gives us the Marathon 2: Durandal CD cover gouache on cotton.


Marathon 2: Durandal CD cover by Ryker Woodward (@ArtistRyker) on x.com. October 5, 2024.

It's actually on sale if you want to buy a traditional style painting to hang in your home.

Here's a work in progress pic.


Marathon 2: Durandal CD cover (work in progress) by Ryker Woodward (@ArtistRyker) on x.com. October 4, 2024.

Marathon gouache... not to be confused with Marathon gauche!


Sunday October 6, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #503.
I AM TYCHO!

I shall destroy Durandal.
Nobody likes Tycho!

err...

That's not true there is a Marathon fan club for Tycho!

They feel that Tycho was unfairly maligned and misunderstood in the Marathon Trilogy.

President of the Marathon Tycho Fan Club, dragonmons (@dragonmons) on tumblr writes:
if tycho has millions of fans i am one of them.
if tycho has ten fans then i am one of them.
if tycho has only one fan then that is me.
if tycho has no fans, that means i am no longer on the earth.
if the world against tycho then i am against the world.
i love tycho till my last breath.
dragonmons continues:
i am an endless sucker for characters who die and come back wrong

i am a sucker for characters who become rage

i am a SUCKER for characters who have nothing but revenge to seek and they know it and they despair but they hate.

HATE more than that because its how they breathe its how they stay some semblance of whole
Tycho has fans!

Are you a Tycho fan?


Tycho by Databuffer (@Databuffering) on twitter.com. October 5, 2023.

Databuffer wrote:
Tycho design im working on, because its honestly ridiculous that Durandal is the ONLY marathon character I've drawn so far.
Yeah!

We need more Tycho art.

Tycho the most maligned and misunderstood character in the Marathon Trilogy?

Join the Marathon Tycho Fan Club today... and learn the tru7h.

Tycho did nothing wrong!


Tycho returns. circa 2861.



Saturday October 5, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #502.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.


#1 situationship by Databuffer (@Databuffering) on x.com. October 2, 2024.

Databuffer (@Databuffering) is back!

Cue music...
The path is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Apologies for butchering The Hollies.
A somewhat fitting account of what happens in Marathon Infinity.

Mjolnir Recon number 54 pretty much carries Durandal throughout the game

Afterall...


Master Chef.


Shoot the chef by databuffer (@Databuffering) on x.com. May 18, 2024.

Marathon is Dietary Awareness.

Eat the path!


Friday October 4, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #501.

It's sketchy Friday.

We've got sketches.

First up we have Neite, a French Marathon fan on Marathon Discord, with Fusion Akimbo and Fusion gangsta-style!

Fusion Akimbo and Fusion gangsta-style by Neite on Marathon Discord. September 25, 2024.

We've been following Neite's career with interest.

The Fusion gangsta-style reminds me of the time when Double Aught requested that the second trigger on the SMG turn the player's hand 90 degrees so you could shoot "gangsta-style".

This was Q11 in the Marathon 101 competition. Remember that?

The answer is of course... from a long forgotten Marathon's Story forum post... like anyone reads that today.

But I digress.

Another sketch from Neite a Marathon Runner with rifle.


Marathon Runner with rifle by Neite on Marathon Discord. June 27, 2024.

A sketch with color?

Probably against the rules... but here at the Story page we don't bend the Rules... we make them!

Neite also gives us... Traxus Runner sketch.


Traxus Runner by Neite on Marathon Discord. September 16, 2024.

Join the winning team at Tau Ceti IV. Best clones, best gear, best pay!



Up next is AlexB207 (@AlexB207Swag) on X or Bus Gamer 2 on Marathon Discord.


Nu_Marathon by AlexB207 (aka Bus Gamer 2) on Marathon Discord. July 22, 2024.

Alex writes:
nu-marathon doodle, i reeeallly like that helmet
Hopefully Bungie will keep it!

Alex also did this Marathon doodle.


Marathon doodle by AlexB207 (aka Bus Gamer 2) Marathon Discord. September 12, 2024.

Up next is XavierKnight ((@XavierRedKnight) on X and Xavier on Marathon Discord.


Marathon Runner by XavierKnight (@XavierRedKnight) on X. June 13, 2024.

XavierKnight writes:
love marathon. wish it was real
Hey... only 501 Days of Night and counting...

Last up for this Friday we have Brianna Ro on ArtStation with a Nu-Marathon sketch.


Marathon study sketches by Brianna Ro on ArtStation. September, 2024.

Brianna Ro writes:
I was heavily inspired by Bungie's upcoming Marathon game to make some study sketchess
Happy sketchy Friday.

Stay sketchy.


Thursday October 3, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #500.

Yes folks, 500 Days of Night.


30 Days of Night / Marathon gore mashup. October 2, 2024.


This is a 30 Days of Night and Marathon gore mashup to mark 500 Days of Night.

Apologies to Sony Pictures and Redorth (@redorth) on tumblr for butchering their original artwork.

It is 500 days since the Marathon announcement and Bungie declaring that they were going dark.

They were true to their word.

Marathon Dark.


MARATHON TYPOGRAPHY - UI DESIGN by Emrenext on ArtStation. 2023.

Happy 500 Days of Night... and counting.




Wednesday October 2, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #499.

Somewhere In The Heavens... by Eva (@iso_didacta) on X.


somewhere in the heavens by Eva (@iso_didacta) on x.com. September 17, 2024.

Eva writes:
context : this is my take on the Security Officer in Marathons contemporary style
Eva is well know for her Halo artwork which can be found Tumblr and X.

So why Marathon artwork?

Eva explains:
I'm playing through classic Marathon, I'm obsessed.
Well it is the forerunner to Halo, so welcome to the UESC Marathon, Eva.

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

Eva also gave us... Durandal, taking inspiration from the AI in the 2023 announcement trailer.


I know who you are by Eva (@iso_didacta) on x.com. September 7, 2024.

Along with this variant.


I know who you are by Eva (@iso_didacta) on x.com. September 7, 2024.

When asked about how best to represent the face of an AI, Eva replied:
...I think its important to keep the "face" obscured as much as possible. I don't want to put a face to these AI, it feels odd to me. I think I like this version more? the empty space feels more foreboding.
Getting a strong Shrike Hyperion Cantos (Dan Simmons) vibe from this image.

And of course this brings up the whole Time Tombs mythos.

Then again... the Vulcan Science Directorate has determined that time travel is impossible.

But I digress... of course.

Happy Day #499.

Tomorrow is...


Tuesday October 1, 2024  



This Day in Marathon.

Day #498.

Yes... another month!

But what happened last month?

Well here is a snapshot of what we featured from around the world.








Go to What's New for September 2024
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Last updated October 1, 2024